A collection of the works of that ancient, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Thomas Chalkley, who departed this life in the island of Tortola, the fourth day of the ninth month, 1741 : to which is prefixed, a journal of his life, travels, and Christian experiences

~ 37

Library

of the

University of Toronto

A

COLLECTION

O F T H E

WORKS

OF THAT

ANCIENT, FAITHFUL SERVANT OF
JESUS CHRIST,

THOMAS CHALKLEY,

Who departed this Life in the ISLAND of TORTOLA,
the Fourth Day of the Ninth Month, 1741.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,

A JOURNAL of his LIFE,
TRAVELS, and CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

THE FIFTH EDITION.

2 will fend thofe that cfcafie of them unto the Nations, to Tarrtiifh, Pull, and Lud, that
draw the Bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the Lies afar off, that have not heard my
tame, neither have fen my Glory, and they (bail declare. ,«w Glory among the
'Gentiles. Ifaiah Ixvi. 19.

LONDON:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY JAMES PHILLIPS, GEORCfi
YARD, LOMBARD-STREET,

M.DCC.XCI.

THE',

TESTIMONY

O F T H E

MONTHLY-MEETING of FRIENDS

I N

PHILADELPHIA,

Concerning our Ancient Worthy Friend,

THOMAS CHALKLET, deceafed.

TH E Chriftlan experiences of the faithful being
ufeful to direct fuch as are defirous of follow
ing them in the paths of true religion and virtue,
and their good examples fhining with the greateft
clearnefs, when they have, with the flefh, put off all
human infirmities; juftice to their memory, and a
concern for the benefit of their furvivors, demand
our grateful remembrance of them, and the contri
buting our endeavours to render their labours ufe
ful to pofterity.

Thefe confederations engage us to preface the
writings of this our efteemed friend and elder in the
truth, with this teftimony concerning him.

He was a member of our monthly-meeting above
forty years, fo that fome of us had opportunities of
being intimately acquainted with him, and of know
ing his fidelity and diligence in promoting the caufe

a 2 of

of truth, and the edification of the church of Chrift;
this having been the principal engagement and con
cern of his mind, and which he preferred to any
other confideration 5 as will evidently appear to
thofe, who, with an honeft and unprejudiced inten
tion, perufe his Journal of his Life and Travels.

By this it will appear, that he was, in the early
part of his life, fenfibly affected with the vifitation
of divine life and grace, and, by adhering thereunto,
was preferved from the vanities and follies, which
often divert and alienate the minds of youth from
the due remembrance and awful regard of their

o

Creator; fo that he was enabled to bear a teftimony
of Cbriftian patience and felf-denial in his youthful
days, and, by keeping under that exercife, as he ad
vanced in years, attained to further knowledge and
experience in the work of religion, in which he had
a fight of the necefilty of keeping in a ftate of hu
mility, and of bearing the crofs of Chrift, which
mortified him to the world; fo that the lofs many
fuflain by the anxious purfuit of the lawful things
thereof appearing to him, he was concerned to avoid
it, and in obedience to the precept of Chrift, " To
<c feck firft the kingdom of God, and his righteouf-
<c nefs," having faith in his promife, cc that all thefe
*c things," necefTary for him, " fhould be added."
Thus the love of God influencing his mind, and
opening his undeiftanding, he became concerned
for the general good of mankind, and received agifc
of the miniftry of the gofpel of Chrift, before he had
attained the age of twenty-one years ; in the pub-
lick rxercife of whirh, he foon after travelled through
many parts of England) and into Scotland, and the
next year, being 1697, he came to vifit Friends in
this and the adjacent provinces of America, where
his miniftry and cpnverfarion were to the comfort
and edification of the faithful (as fome of us can.
with fatisfaction declare, from our knowledge and

remembrance

remembrance of him at that time) and the near fel-
lowfhip and union he then had with Friends here
(we believe) contributed to his more fpeedy deter
mination of fettling among us, which he afterwards
thought it his duty to do, though the leaving his
parents and relations (as he afterwards exprefied)
was no fmall crofs to him, being of a dutiful and
affectionate difpofition.

After fixing his refidence amongftus, he perfever-
ed in his concern and labour for the edification of
the churches, and gathering people to faith and de-
pendance on the inward teachings of Chrift, and for
that purpofe only he travelled many long journies
and voyages through the feveral Englijb colonies on
this continent, and moll of the iflands in the Weft-
Indies > and in Europe, through England, Wales, Scot
land, Ireland, Holland, Frizeland, and feveral parts of
Germany, and the adjacent Northern kingdoms; and
in many of thefe places his mimftry, and religious
labours were blefled with the defired fuccefs, of
which there are yet fome wit Defies living, and others
who were convinced of the principles of truth by his
means, became ferviceable members of the church,
and continued therein to the end of their lives.

But as the wife king Solomon formerly obferved,
that tc One event cometh to the righteous, and to
<c the wicked," fo it happened to this good man,
who met with various lofles and difappointments in
his temporal eftate; after which, the circumftances
of his affairs engaged him to undertake fome bufi-
nefs, in the management of which he was obliged to
crofs the feas frequently : this, however, did not
abate his zeal and religious care to make ufe of all
opportunities of vifiting the meetings of Friends
when among them, and of calling, at other times, to
fuch who might be accounted as the outcaft of Ijrael,
and the difperfed otjudah or as fheep not yet of the
fold of Chrift ; and his fer vices of that kind are wor-

thv

thy to be commemorated, having been often pro
ductive of good effects.

His patience was remarkable in difappointments
and afflictions, of which he had a large fhare ; and
his meeknefs, humility and circumfpedion, in the
general courfe of his life and converfation, were con-
fpicuous and exemplary -, and as he frequently ex
horted and admonifhed others to the obfervation and
practice of the many excellent precepts and rules of
Chrift, our Lord and law-giver; and more efpecial-
ly thple expreffed in his Sermon on the Mount (which
contains the fum of our moral and religious duties)
fo he manifested himfelf to be one of that number,
whom Chrift compared to the wife builder, who laid
a fure foundation ; fo that his building flood un-
fhaken by the various floods and winds of tribula
tions and temptations he met with, both from v/i th
in and without*

He was a lover of unity amongft brethren, and
careful to promote and maintain it, fhewing the
example of a meek, courteous, and loving deport
ment, not only to Friends, but to all others, with
whom he had converfation or dealings j fo that it
may be truly faid, That few have lived fo univer-
fally beloved and refpected among us : and it was
manifeft this did not proceed from a defire of being
popular, or to be feen of man : for his love and re
gard to peace did not divert him from the difcharge
of his duty in a faithful teftimony to thofe that pro-
feffed the truth, that they ought to be careful to
maintain good works; and he was often concerned
zealoufly to incite and prefs Friends to the exercile
of the good order and difcipline eftablilhed in the
wifdom of truth, by admonifhing, warning, and
timely treating with fuch as fell fhort of their duty
therein, and by teftifying againft thofe who, after
loving and brotherly care and endeavours, could
not be brought to the fenfe and practice of their

duty 5

( vii )

duty; and thereby he fometimes fliared the ill-will
and refentment of fuch perfons.

The feveral EfTays he wrote on religious fubjefts
at fea, are further proofs that his mind was princi
pally engaged in the great bufmefs and concern of
religion; and as he continued under the fame en
gagement to the end, we are fully perfuaded the
words, with which he concluded his laft publick
teftimonyon the ifland of c£ortolay may be truly and
properly applied to him, cc That he had fought a
cc good fight, and had kept the faith/' and, we doubt
not, cc he now enjoys a crown of righteoufnefs."

Much more might be truly faid of his integrity,
faithfulnefs and worth, but we do not think it ne-
ceflary ; our chief intention being to exprefs our re-
fpectful remembrance of him, and our unity with his
labours and fervices, and in order to alTure thofe, to
whom he was not perfonally known, of the truth of
what he has himfelf wrote of his life and travels;
for we believe, as he was a man fignally influenced
with the fpirit of univerfal love and good-will to
mankind, this was his chief motive for writing; and
we are fmcerely defirous that his good defign may be
anfwered, and that the glory of every good and per-
fecl: work may be attributed to that divine power
alone, which can qualify others to fupply the places
of thofe faithful minifters and fervants of Chrift,
who have been of late years removed from among
us, and are of that number, of whom it is written^
<c Blefied are the dead, which die in the Lord, from
<c henceforth, yea, faith the Spirit, that they may
*r reft from their labours, and their works do follow
" them."

Signed on behalf, and by appointment of the month
ly-meeting of Friends in Philadelphia^ the twenty-
eighth day of the fecond month, 1749, by

ISRAEL PEMBERTON.

A

JOURNAL

O F T H E

LIFE, LABOURS, TRAVELS, &cj

O F

THOMAS CHALKLBT.

HAVING great caufe to acknowledge the regard
and protection of Divine Providence in the feveral
ilages of my life-, I think it may be of fervice to
others, to leave behind me the following account
of my life and travels.

I WAS born on the third day of the third month
1675, in Soutbwark, and descended of horieft and
religious parents, who were very careful of me*
and brought me up in the fear of the Lord; and
oftentimes counfelled me to fobriety> and reproved
me for wantonnefs •> and that light fpirit, which is
incident to youth^ they were careful to nip in the bud:
fo that I have caufe to blefs God, through Chrift, on
the behalf of my tender parents.

And 1 may not forget the dealings of God with me
in iny very tender years; When between eight and

A ten

2 THE JOURNAL OF

ten years of age, my father and mother fent me
near two miles to fchool, to Richard Scoryer, in the
iuburbs of London. I went moftly by myfelf to the
ichool ; and many and various were the exercifes I
went through, by beatings and ftonings along the
ftreets, being diftinguifhed to the people (by the
badge of plainnefs which my parents put upon me)
of what profeflion I was; divers telling me, c It was
* no more fin to kill me, than it was to kill a dog/

About this time the Lord began to work ftrongly
onrny mind by his grace, infomuch that I could not
forbear reproving thofe lads who would take the
name of the Lord God in their mouths in vain ; re
minding them of the third commandment, " Thou
<c fhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,
<c for the Lord will not hold him guiltlefs that taketh
*f his name in vain •" and of Chrift's faying, " Every
cc idle word that men fhall fpeak, they (hall give an
"account thereof in the day of judgment ;" for
which I was mocked and derided by fome, and others
would fometimes refrain from fuch bad words when
1 reproved them.

One time I remember I was arnongft fome men,
one of whom 1 had reproved, and he told the reft of it,
and turned to me, and faid, « That I was no Chriftian,'
and afked me, ' When I faid the Lord's prayer ?' I
afked him, if he faid it j he faid yes. I then afked
hi 01 how he could call God Father, and be fo wicked
as to (wear and take God's name in vain, which I
had heard him often do ; and I told him what Chrift
faicl to the Jews, " You are of your father the devil,
<c becaufe his works ye do;" and that thofe that did
the devil's work, could not truly call God Father, ac
cording to Chrift's doctrine. So being convicted in
their confciences that what I faid was true, they were
all filent, and wondered that I, being fo young,
ihould fpeak in fuch a manner ; in which I remember

I had

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 3

\ had great peace and good fatisfa&ion : and from
thenceforth thefe men let me alone.

Notwithftanding I hared to hear wicked words, I
loved play exceedingly, being perfuaded that there
was no harm in that, if we ufed no bad words.
One time I was at play at a neighbour's houfe with
the children, and in the mid ft of my fport I was
reached to with itrong convictions^ infomuch that I
could not forbear weeping. The childrens mother
pbferving that I wept, faid^ f Why do you weep,
Tommy ?' I told her I could not tell, except it was
becaufe I was a naughty boy. c Oh !' faid fhe, ( do not
' believe him, for that is the devil tells you fo,for you
< are the bcft boy in all our iireet*' But I knew I was
told the truth by conviction, and that fhe was mifta-
ken : for I plainly underftood by clear conviction, and
by the holy fcriptures (which I had been trained up in
the readingpf) that I was too vain and wanton ; for. I
loved mufick, dancing, and playing at cards, and too
•much delighted therein betimes-, and was followed
with the judgments of God therefore in the fecret of
my foul.

What I did in thofe fports and games, I always took
care to do out of the fight, and without the knowledge
of my tender parents; for I was afraid of their reproofs
and correction, the which I Nvas fure to have, if they
had any intelligence of kv

I remember tha't, unknown to my parents, I had
bought a pack of cards, with intent to make ufe of
them when I went to fee my relations in the country,
where there was liberty in the family fo to do, at a
place called IFvodford, about feven miles from Lou-
-don, where I got leave fometimes to go; and at the
time called Gbriftmas, \ went to fee them, and five
miles on my way went to a meeting, at a town
called l¥ arijl cad > at which meeting, a miniftcr of
Chrift declared againit the evil of gaming* and par.
ticularly of cards , and that the time which people

A 2 pretend

4 THE JOURNAL OF

pretend to keep holy, for Chrift's fake, many of them
Ipend moftly in wickednefs, fports, and games ; even
ibme pretending to be religious : and, generally
fpeaking, more fin and evil is committed in this time,
than in the like fpaceof time in all the year befides;
ib that the devil is ferved inftead of honouring Chrift.
From this meeting at Wanflead^ \ went to the houfe
of my relations, where the parfon of the next parifh
lodged that night, who ufed to play at cards with
them fometimes ; and the time drawing near that
we were to go to our games, my nncle called to the
doctor, (as he called him) to me, and to my coufin,
to come and take a game at cards ; at which mo
tion I had ftrong convictions upon me not-t6 do it,
as being evil; and I fecretly cried to the Lord to
keep me faithful to him •, and lifting up my eyes, I faw
a bible lie in the window, at the fight of which I was
glad. I took it, and fat down, and read to myfelf,
greatly rejoicing that I was preferved out of the fnare.
Then my uncle called again, and faid, * Come, doc-
* tor, you and I, and my wife and daughter, will have
' a game at cards, for I fee my coufin is better difpo-
< fed.' Then he looked upon me, and faid, * He was
c better difpofed alfo.' So their fport for that time
•was fpoiled, and mine in that practice for ever ; for I
never (as 1 remember) played with them more, but as
foon as I came home, offered my new and untouched
pack of cards to the fire *, and of this I am certain,
the ufe of them is of evil confequence, and draws away
the mind from heaven and heavenly things-, for which
reafon all Chriftians ought to fhun them as engines of
Satan : and mufick and dancing, having generally the
lame tendency, ought therefore to be refrained from.
The fentiments of the Waldenfes, a people in great
etiecm among Protertants, are worthy the confide*
ration of all true Proteftants and Chriftians; which
were c That as many paces, or fteps, as the man

* or

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 5

* or woman takes in the dance, fo many paces or

* fleps they take towards hell.'

I very well remember the work of God upon my
foul, when I was about ten years of age, and par
ticularly at a certain time when I had been rebelling
againil God and my parents, in vanity and lightnefs :
and as I had offended both, fo I was corrected by
both : for I had not only the anger of my parents,
but the Lord frowned upon me, infomuch that I trem
bled exceedingly, and was as though I heard a vocal
voice fay to me, ( What will become of thee this
c night, if I fhould take thy life from thee ?' at which
I was amazed, and in great fear. Then I covenanted
with God, that if he would be pleafed to fpare, my
life (for I thought God would have taken my life
from me that very moment) I would be more fober,
and mind his fear more than I had done before,

Neverthelefs I broke covenant with God my Ma
ker, my adverfary tempting me fo to do, telling me
I was but a child, and that it was natural for children
to be brifk and to play, and that God would wink at
my childhood and youth, and it was time enough for
me when a man, to become religious. But flill God
followed me with his chaftifing rod, and often put
me in mind of my covenant that I made with him in
my diftrefs ; and that he had granted my requeft
which I then made to him; and unlefs I would take up
a crofs to my own corrupt will and inclinations, he
ihould take me out of the world. Then, oh then ! I
cried, { Lord help, or I die ! fave me, or I perifh for

* ever!' I cannot keep thy covenant, nor do thy will,
without thy help and afiiftance 1 and indeed if the
Lord had not helped, I had been undone for ever.

So I continued bowed down in my mind, calling on
the Lord; thinking and meditating on heaven and
heavenly things : but, as I am fenfible, I had an in
ward enemy that always fought my hurt and over
throw, I have caufe to blefs God, who by his grace

A 3 (as

& THE J O U R N A L OF

(as mine eye wars turned to it) helped me to do his,
will, as he was pleafed to manifeft it to me, fo thai-
thereby fome change was wrought on me, both in
wardly and outwardly.

And I then began to delight in reading and fobrietyv
which before were irkfome to me : and when I read
the holy Scriptures, I defired that God would open
them to my underftanding, which he did to my edi
fication many times. I alfb begged earneftly of the
Lord, that he would be pleafed to be with rne> and
make me like to thofe his children and fervants, of
whom I read in the holy Scriptures, who faithfully
ierved him ait their days. And when I read of the
crucifixion of our blefied Lord and Saviour Jefus
Chrift, it would break my foul into tendernefs. I
thought it was enough to awaken and humble any
Jnul that was well-meaning, and had any lenle of the
power, love, and grace of Chrift. Thus I went
on for lev era 1 years, feeling that peace which pafTeth
natural underftanding, which many times accompa-r
nied my poor and needy foul : and being advanced
to about 14 or 15 years of age, I remember that
I ufed to fh'un the crois ofipeaking in the plain lan
guage (which I always read in the holy Scriptures)
to thofe whom I converfed with, except my father-
and mother, who would not allow me to fpeak other-
wife: I was. convicted in my confcience that it was noc
right to play the hypocrite after that manner; and
on a certain time I had occafion to fpeak with an
officer, a great man in our neighbourhood, and my
heart moved within me fo£ fear 1 fhould fhun the
crofs of Chrift; for it was Chrift's language to all,
as,we.may read in the New Teitament ; and the Scrip
tures, from Genefis to the Revelations, fpeak thee and
thou, to a fingle peribn in a general way.

So I took up the crofs, and faid thee to him;
andhewas much anronted, and faid, c.Thee! whatdoft
* thpu thee me for ?' I fober'Jy aiked him; if be did

no;

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 7

not fay thee to his maker in his prayers ? and whe
ther he was too good, or too great, to be fpoke to
in the fame language in which he addrefled the Al
mighty ? unto which he made no reply, but feemed
to fall from his pafiion into admiration, as one fmit-
ten in himfelf; and he bore me refped ever after;
and I greatly rejoiced that I was preferved faithful.
Though it may look like a little thing to fome, yet I
found it. good (as the Scripture faith) not to defpife
the day of fmall things.

About the twentieth year of my age, I was pref-
fed and carried on board a veflcl belonging to a man
of war. I was put down into the hold in the dark,
not having any thing to lie upon but cafks ; and
what made it worfe to me, I was among wicked, de
bauched men; and as we were fhut up in darknefs,
fo was their converfation dark and hellifh. In the
morning (for which I longed more than the watch
men) the lieutenant called us up on deck, and exa
mined us, whether we were willing to ferve the king;
he called me to him, and afked me, if I were
willing to ferve his majefty ; I anfwered, e that I
4 was willing to ferve him in my bufmefs, and accord-
6 ing to my confcience ; but as for war or fighting,
' Chrift had forbid it in his excellent Sermon on the
f mount, and for that reafon I could not bear arms,

* nor be inftrumental to deflroy or kill men.' The
lieutenant looked on me, and on the people, and (aid,

* Gentlemen, what fhall we do with this fellow? he
< fwears he will not fight/ The commander of the
veflel made anfwer, c No, no, he will neither fwear
c nor fight.' Upon which they turned me on fhore.
I was thankful that I was delivered out of their hands j
and my tender parents were glad to fee me again.

Now as I grew in years, the world began to take

too much root in me; and my unwearied enemy

would tell me that it was lawful enough (and indeed

I fee that he hurts many with lawful things,, with

A 4 whora

S THE JOURNAL OF

whom he knoweth the unlawful things will not take)
and here I had been loft if God had not been gra
cious to me. But he, in whofe prefence I delighted,
withdrew, and deprived me of that enjoyment
which was comfortable above all things to my
foul. Then did I pray, with tears, O that it might
be with me as it was at other times before ! and I was
willing to let the world go, rather than grace and
God's glory. The Pfalmift faith, " No good thing
<c will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly,"
Pfal. Ixxxiv. ver. n.

About this time there was a great concern on my
mind, rightly to diftinguifh between the voice of
Chrift, and the whifperings of Satan ; and thus it
opened to me : that Chrift, the truth, always fpeak-
cth good, and for a gaod end, and that there is divine
life to. the foul in this fpeaking •, but the Devil never
fpeaks good, unlefs fometimes for a bad end, and
then not good in reality, only coloured with a good
pr fair fhew.

And keeping under this exercife, the Lord appeared
to me again, and many times refreflied my heart
\yith his goodnefs. And when I was in my bufmefs
ampngft men, 1 did witneft the Holy Ghoft, the
Comforter, to be near me ; which was more to me
than all the world, or the riches^ glory and beau
ty of it ; the love of God being fo fweet to my foul
and fpirit, my breathings, prayers and Implications,
were to- the Lord, that my neighbours, acquaintance
and relations, might alfo partake of the like precious
faith and love which I enjoyed ; and that the chil
dren of men might anfwer that great and good end
for which the Lord did create thern •, which is, that
glory, honour and praife, might afcend and be given
to him.

*I had fuch a fenfe and fear of difhonouring God,
that I often, with tears, cried, Never let me live to
difhonour thee. Oh ! it had been better forme that

I haci

THOMAS CHALKLEY. $

I had never been born, or my mother's womb had beeit
my gr^ve, than that I fhould live to difhonour thee,
or wilfully reproach the name of Chrift, who, with the
Father, is only worthy of divine honour.

In this concern I felt the gofpel power of our Lord
Jefus Chrift to work upon my foul, and the word of
God was as a feed in my heart, growing and opening;
in me, fpeaking to me, and making my underftanding
fruitful in the things of his kingdom; and in that
ability which was given me of Qod, through his
grace and Holy Spirit, I exhorted people to repen
tance and amendment of life; and I always humbly
defired the help and divine influence of God's eternal
word therein. Oh ! I did fervently pray, that I
might minifler the gofpel in the power of Jefus ; for
I clearly difcerned, in the light of the Son of God, that
all miniftringout of Chrift's power, was neither edify
ing nor efficacious unto fouls: therefore I did ear-
neftly befeech God for the continuance of the gift of
his Spirit, that I might be enabled to preach the gof
pel in the power of Chrift Jefus. The concern that
was upon me on this account at that time, is hard to
be exprefled in words.

The latter end of the year 1695, my father fent
me into Effex on fome bufinefs, which, when I had
accomplifhed, I vifited fome meetings of friends thereft
and my mind being much affected with the apprehen-
fionof an impending ftorm, (the nation being about
this time threatened with an invafion froml$£to?ij in
favour of the late king James > fo that there was ex
pectation of much bloodflied and confufion in the
land) I wrote a letter to my parents, and another
to friends of the evening meeting (kept weekly at
my father's houfe) expreiftng my great thankfulnefs
to the Almighty, in remembrance of the many pre
cious vifitations of divine love and favour we had
been made partakers of, to the uniting our hearts to
tiirn, and to one another ^ and my earneft prayers

io THE JOURNAL or

and fuppli cations, that we might be preferved in true
love, and the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond
of everlafting peace; and that the world might be
made fenfible of this true peace, which abounds in
thofe who love and fear the Lord, and truly believe
in the name of Jefus. Oh ! furely they would then
depart from fin, and abandon iniquity, by which they
incur the wrath of the Lord, and provoke the juft one
to anger ; fo that the line of confufion feems to be
flretched over the city and nation> and the eye of the
faithful feeth it to the grief of their fouls. Yet the
iriercy of the Lord, even of the juft God (who will ren
der a juft reward to every one according to his deeds
done in the body) is ftill handed forth to the land.
Oh 1 that the inhabitants thereof would confider their
ways, and be wife, and turn to the Lord with un
feigned repentance, while the day of mercy lafteth>
before it be faid, " Now it is hid from thine eyes,"
for the Lord, even the God and Father of Spirits,
hath faid, " My Spirit lhall not always ftrive with
*< man, for that he alfo is fleih," Gen. vi. 3.

On the expiration of my apprenticefhip, having
ferved my father faithfully feven years, I entered
more ftrongly into covenant with my heavenly Father
and Maftcr, to ferve him all my days, through his
afilftance-, and was foon after drawn forth,in theSpirit
and love of Chrift, to vifit the meetings of Friends
weftward from London, viz. through Surr^ SuJ/ex,
Hantyjhirei Wiltjhire^ Devonjhire and Cornwall^ to the
Ltand>s-End', in which journey I was accompanied
by William Hernould. At one of our meetings at
Falmouthy in QvW'4$ two men (called gentlemen)
came from the inn to hear the ffcrangers ; and after
meeting, they faid they could take their oaths that I
was a Jefuiti and that they had heard me preach in a
Romifo chapel in France ; which was utterly falfe :
for I never was in francs in my Ufe., Befides^ had I

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 53

been a Papift> or popifhly inclined (which I was not)
I was too young to be a Jefuit.

Indeed I thought I was mean for the work of the
jininiftry, but the good remembrancer brought thofc
truths to my remembrance, which ftrengthened m$
in the work and fervice of God. <c The fpirix brea-
<c theth where it lifteth : out of the mouths of babes
*-*• and fucklings thou haft perfefted praife," &c.
We having great peace in our labours in this jour
ney, and being edified therewith, returned to London^
after about four months abfence from home.

And after I had been two weeks at home, my dear
mother departed this life, in a fweet frame of fpirit,
praifmg the Lord. She was one who lived the life of
the righteous, and whofe latter end was like theirs,
and left a good report behind her, being well beloved
(I think 1 may fafely fay) by all our neighbours ; not
only by thofe of our own ibciety, but others alfo, to
whom (he was often very helpful.

So I went to my calling, and got a little money,
(a little being enough) which I was made willing to
fpend freely, in the work and fervice of my great
mailer Chrifl Jefus, And about this, time I was con
cerned to travel into the north of England \ and part
of Scotland^ which I did in that ability God gave me-y
and thatdifpenfation which 1 had freely received, I free
ly handed forth to the people^ devoting my ilrengtl\
and time to ferve him (thai had done fo much for me),
and I had the fatisfaction to find divers confefllng the
truth, as it is in Jefus. In this, jpurney \ was from
home about four months, being moftly alone as to
any yoke-fellow in that work, travelling many hund
reds of miles, being as far as Edinburgh in S-cetland*
where our meeting was in the itreet, we being locked*
out of our meeting-houfe by the then power, an4
great numbers of people were there. This news,
being carried to the Provofl of the city, he faid,
*• 'JT lie Quakers woujd do more hurt out of doors, than.

c within^

12 THE JOURNAL OF

* within/ and he ordered friends their key. Since
which I have underftood that friends in that city have
enjoyed their meetings in the meeting-houfe ; and
fometimes when the rabble have difturbed friends,
the magi ftrates have fent officers to difperfe them.

Now after I had vifited the churches of Chrift in
divers parts of England, and had many fweet feafons
of God's love, and good opportunities with my
friends and others in this nation ; the word of life be
ing declared in the fimplicity of the gofpel, in feveral
places people were very open-hearted, and received
the teftimony of it with gladnefs. And after I had
been at my father's, and at my calling, a little after
this north-country journey, I found myfelf engaged
in the love of the gofpel to vifit Friends in America -y
and having acquainted my friends and relations of my
mind, they being willing to give me up in order for
the voyage, Friends of the monthly-meeting gave me
a certificate, and I had another from the meeting of
Hiinifters in London.

My father, and feveral other friends with me, took
boat from London, and accompanied me to Gravefend,
on the sift of the tenth month 1697, and I went on
board the fhip Jofiah, Thomas Lurting mafter, and
failed that day from Grave/end, and got to the Downs
the next day, where we tarried fome days for a fair
wind; in which time feveral others, that were con-*
cerned.in the fame gofpel-labour, came on board, viz,
Thomas Turner^ William Ellis, and Aaron Atkinfon. In
about four days time the wind was fair for us, and we
fet fail, and in a little time we got out of fight of the
land ; foon after which the wind was contrary, and
we proceeded but a fmall diftance for feveral weeks;
the weather was rough and the lea boifterous, fo that
with the motion thereof, moft of the paffengers were
fick. In this time we loft a lad, that fell into the
fea, as he was drawing a bucket of water, and was
drowned \ the fhip running fwiftly, he could not be

fayed,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 13

faved, although it was fpeedily endeavoured. Several
others died before we got over; but for the moft pare
we were healthful. The Lord be praifed, he was, is,
and will be, with thofe that faithfully ferve him tr<
the end.

We were three fhips in company, but by diftrefs of
•weather, foon after we came out, we parted. After
\vehad been at fea about eight weeks, on the 25th of
the 1 2th month we fa,w two vefleh aftern of us. One
of them came up with us, and the people haled us, and
told us they came from Briftol, and had been out ten
•weeks. The other came up with us next day. The
people informed us they had been at fea feven weeks,
and that they had a dreadful time of it. She had loft
part of her topmaft, and her fpritfail topmaft was
gone. She was a new (hip, and never at fea before,
belonging to London, and bound for Virginia, as near
as we could underftand. Our fhip loft none of her
tackling, through the great mercy of God to us*
though the wind and fea was wonderful high at times ;
the mate told me, I might go to fea all my life, and
not fee the like ; he faid he- had been at, or uled the
fea, twenty years, and never faw it fo rough and high
before. We had meetings twice a week, feveral of
which were comfortable and refrefhing meetings, to
which rnoft of the paffengers, being in all about fixty
in number, fometimes came; and feveral of them
were affected with the fenfe of truth, and the Lord
ftrengthened our faith and hope in him.

Oh for ever blefTed be the living and eternal God,
who kept my foul above the fear of death, hell,
and the grave •, for my truft was in him, and he
did bear up my fpirit above the waves of the fea;
and in the times of toiling with tempefts, ! was
comforted and cheerful, praifing the Lord in my
heart, both in the day time, and in the night fcafon. ,.

I was much concerned in my mind for many of the
paffenge.rs, \vho, with the iecond mate, and icvera! of

the

14 THE JOURNAL OF

the feamen, were very Tick (by forrte it was thought
near unto death) I cried to the Lord to heal them, in
the name of his dear Son, and that it might be a
means to convince them of the efficacy of love to,
and faith in Chriit Jefus, thephyfician of value ; and
the Lord was pleafed to heal them. The mate of the
fhip defired that I would come and pray by him. I
went to him, and prayed in the power and name of
the Lord Jefus Chrift, and the Lord helped him, that
he faid he was fine and eafy, and thanked me for my
love; and in a little time he recovered. Several
others of the feamen and pafTengers I was indrumental
to help in their ficknefs. The Lord blefTed my en
deavours in fupplicating him on their behalf, and
adminiftring what I had to them. One of the feamen
faid, ' He was bound to pray for me as long as he
* lived, and that the Lord would blefs me/ Another
of the paffengers faid, c That I was the blefled doctor*
(for there was not a furgeon, or doctor in the fhip.) I
was very free to communicate of what I had to any
Tick perfon in the fhip, and feveral blefled the Lord
on my behalf. Indeed I thought I could fcarce do
enough for any that were in diftrefs, I write not
thus, that I might feem popular, but with my mind
bowed before the Lord. Many times in this voyage
there were confutations in my mind, whether I had
bed write a memorandum hereof; but at laft con
ceiving in my fpirit that it might ftrengthen and ex
cite love to God, and faith in his beloved Son, in
true believers, I wrote as aforefaid $ and then 1 was
fatisfied, and gave die glory to God.

Before we came to the land, we favv a ketch which
had faved the lives of fome that belonged to a Ihip that
was a little before foundered in the fea 3 who faid
alfo, that a fleet of New-England (hips which had been
upon that coail, by ftormy weather were forced to
Barladoes -y and within a few days after he faw the
land of J'irginia) and alfo a New-Engl&juL fhip,

which

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 15

failed or came from England three weeks before
us. We arrived within the Capes of 'Virginia the 31 ft
of the ift month 1698, and overtook the John and
Margaret, a ihip that came out of the Engli/b channel
with us (the matter, Thomas Salmon, being dead) and
the next day we anchored our fhip at the mouth of
Patuxent River in Maryland, where our boats were
hoi (led out, and we were rowed up Patuxent River
twelve miles, to Arthur Toungs houfe, where we
lodged that night ; and for our prefervation and fafc
arrival, we blefs the Lord our God, and my fpirit
praifed him who lives for ever and ever. Our voyage
was above tv/elve weeks, it being then winter time,
and for the moft part the winds fo high, that the
Ihips could carry but little fail, which made our
voyage the longer.

About four days after we landed, we had a meeting
near Patuxent River, and a blefied one it was !
when it was ended, we went to Daniel Rawling's,
and from thence to the Cliffs, to Richard John's,
a Friend that came with us from England, at whofe
houie we had a meeting, wherein God's prefence was
powerfully felt. We had feveral meetings on that
fide the bay called the Weftern Shore, and then we
failed over to the eail iide of Chef apeak Bay, with
Thomas Ever den, in his (loop; went to his houfe,
and had a meeting, where many people came. Here
we met with our friends Jonathan Tyler, Henry Pav-
ton, and Henry Paytons filler. While 1 was at this
Friend's houfe, there was one Robert Catbing, who
being very ill, lent for Thomas Everdcn, and he (nee
being very well) defired me to vifit the fick perfon.
So 1 went, and the man was near to death. Howbeit
he faid he was comforted much with the vifit, and
that. he never had received fo much benefit by the pa-
rifh prieil in his life : « Although/ faid he, * it coil
4 me dear for what I had •, and if ever I live to get over
* it, by the afiiflance of God i (hall have nothing to do

{ with

16 THE JOURNAL o£

€ with them more. But,' he faid, c he fhould not
4 live three days.* And before the end of three days
he expired* He defired (if I were not gone) I would
be at his funeral. On notice hereof, about ten
Friends went ; and there was a great many people,
among whom we had a good opportunity, and many
weighty truths were opened to them in the love of
God ; and feme of them were tender and wept j and
the moil, if not all (I think I may fay) were folid
and weighty.

From Thomas Ever den' 3 houfe we went to George
fruit's, at whofe houfe we had a meeting : this
Friend and I went to an Indian town not far from his
houfe, becaufe I had a defire to lee thefe people,
having never feen any of them before. When we came
to the town they were kind to us, fpoke well of
Friends, and faid they would not cheat them (as fome
others did.)

F^rom George fruit's* in Maryland, we went down
to Virginia ; and in Accamack and Northampton coun
ties we had large meetings, and I hope they were
effectual to many -, I think my hope is not without
.ground. In thofe parts we had feveral meetings,
where we were informed Friends had not had any
before. And really I cannot but blefs the Lord for
the opportunities we had with the people; for the
goodnefs of God, through Chrift our Lord, was great*
both to us and them, and with tears they did acknow
ledge the truth. Now Thomas Turner, who had
hitherto accompanied me, went by the fea-fide the
neareft way to Philadelphia ; and afterwards I had
a meeting at George Fruit's brother's, and on the
firil-day, another near the court-houfe, and went to
Thomas Ever den' s*, and ib to I.evin Den wood's, and
thence to Nanticoke River, and vifited Friends up
the bay until I came to the river Chop tank, about
which there is a pretty many Friends. So [ went on,
and took the meetings till I came tv Philadelphia, in

and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 17

and about which place, and in other parts of the pro
vince of Pennfylvama, I had many large and precious
meetings, the power of the eternal Son of God
being wonderful ; in which power we many times
blefled his name together. It Was in my heart much
to exhort Friends to love to God, and to unity one
"with another, without which there is no fulfilling the
law or gofpel. There are many Friends in that pro
vince, and many fober young people, which greatly
rejoiced my fpirit 5 fo that for their encouragement,
the Lord opened my mouth in a prophetick manner
to declare unto them the* bleffings which he had in
ftore for them, on condition of their walking in the
truth. Glory to God on high ! untruth decays, and
the branches of it mightily wither ; the darknefs is
much paft, and the true light fhineth glorioufly in
many fouls. O powerful praifes be given to God,
who is light for ever. „

From Philadelphia I went to Burlington^ and fo to
Crofwickst where we had a large meeting under the
trees, where fome were convinced of the truth.
From hence I went to Sbrewfbury^ and had meet
ings there. From Shrew/bury we went (rnoftly by
water) to Woodbridge and Staten-Ijlandy from thence
to Long-IJland, being accompanied by feveral Friends,
On Long-Ifland we had feveral large and good meet
ings, wherein Chrift was preached freely; and after we
had been two weeks there, we went on board a (loop
bound for Rhode-IJland^ and by the way we touched
at Fifoer's and Block- I/lands, and on the firft-day
morning we fet fail from Riock-IJland to Rhode- Ijlaudy
the yearly-meeting being jull over when we got mere.
That evening we failed over to Connaniciit-IJland. On
the third day of the week had a meeting there, and
from thence we went over to Narraganfet, and hud a
meeting, and fo over to Rhode-IJland again where
Ruth Fry, a fober young woman, was convinced, and
remained a Friend till her death. Here J met with

B feverd

iS THE JOURNAL OF

feveral travelling Friends. From the ifland we went
over to the main, and had a large mt-tnng on firft-
day, at a place called Greenwich. It wis thought
there were about five hundred people, and many of
them were tender. We went over the fame night to
the ifland, and after feveral open times with Friends
and others on Rbod&IJland, about twelve Friends of
that ifland went with me to Warwick and Providence
yearly-meetings, in our friend Borden's boar. We
fet fail about noon, and having but little wind, it
was late in the night before we got there, and very
dark, infomuch that we could neither fee nor know
one another, but only by our fpeech, and the durk-
nefs occafioned us to run our veflcl againft the rocks ;
but at laft we got on fhore (with our horfes) and after
going over a very dirty Hough, we entered a difmal
wildernefs, fo that thefe difficulties occafioned our
not getting to the Friend's houfe until the next day,
•which, being the laft in the week, we had a meet
ing ; and on the firft-day we had a large and fatif-
fa&ory meeting. Many of us were fo united in the
love of God, that it was hard for us to part one from
another.

From Providence I went to Eoflon and Salem y where
I had meetings, and from thence to Hampton. In
thofe parts God Almighty hath fhortened the power of
p?rfecutors, and hath brought his righteous judgments
upon them for their unrighteoufnefs. Oh ! that New-
England's profefTors might live in the fenfe of the
lame, and repent. I being a ftranger and traveller,
could not but obferve the barbarous and unchriflian-
like welcome I had into Bofton, the metropolis of
New-England. cc Oh ! what pity," faid one, " it
<c was, that all of your fociety were not hanged with
<c the other four!"* In the eaftern part of New-
England, God hath a feed left of his people.

* Marmaduke Stephen/on, William Robinfen, Mary Dyer, and Wil
liam Leddra, who were put to death in 1659 and 1660.

From

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 19

; Prom thence I returned in order to get a paf-
fage to the ifle of Nantucket •, and from a place
'called Cufhnet, we failed over to the faid ifland in
.about ten hours, where we tarried fcveral days, and
had five meetings. The people did generally ac
knowledge to. the truth;, and many of them were
tender-hearted. Some of the antient people faid,
*c That it was never known that fo many people were
<c together on the ifland at once." After the firft meet
ing was over, one afked the minifter (fo called)
cc Whether we might have a meeting at his houfe ?" '
he faid with a good will, <f we might." This minif-
ter had fome difcourfe with me, and afked^ " What
*' induced me to come hither^ Being fuch a young
" mart ;" I told him that I had no other view in com
ing there, than the good of fouls* and that I could
fay with the apoftle, that a neceffity was laid upon
me, " and wo would be to me if I did not preach the
cc gofpel." Tnen faid he^ " I wifli you would preach
cc at my houfe in God's name.'* So next day we had
a meeting at his houfe ; and on the firft-day we had
the largeil meeting that we had on the ifland* It was
thought there were about two hundred people. The
Lord in his power did make his truth known to the
praife of his name. Oh ! how was my foul concerned
for that people ! the Lord Jefus did open my heart to
them, and theirs to him : they were alfo loving and
kind to us. The chief magiftrate of the ifland defired
that I would have a meeting at his houfe, there be
ing no fettled meeting of Friends before I came; and
after meeting he diiputed about religion with me.
I thought we were both but poor difputants ; and I
cannot remember all that palled between. us, but that
in the clofe of our difpute> he faid, * I difputed with

* your Friends in Barbadoes^ and they told me,

* That we muft eat the fpiritual flefh* and drink the

* fpiritual blood of Chriit:' and, laid the governor,

* Did ever any one hear of fuch flelh and biood $ for

B 2 * is

20 THE JOURNAL OF

* is it not a contradi&ion in nature, that flefli and
« blood fhould be fpiritual ?' CO furely/ faid I, < the

* governor hath forgot himfelf 5 for what fiefh and
' blood was that which Chrift faid/ cc Except ye eat
«' my flefh, and drink my blood, ye have no life
c< in you." * Why/ faid he, c I do not think they
c were to gnaw in from his arms and fhoulders.* Then
I told him, he had anfwered himfelf. Thus our dif*
pute ended. And from that time forward they have
continued a meeting, and there is now a meeting-
houfe, and a yearly-meeting for woilhip •, it is a grow
ing meeting to this day, and feveral publick friends
are raifed up amongft them, who preach the gofpel
of Chrift freely.

At this time a friend was convinced, whofe name
was Starbuck, who became very ferviceable, and lived
and died an eminent miniiler of Chrift on thai ifland.
Several fcores of them came and accompanied us to
the water-fide ; and when we embarked on board our
(loop, they defired that I would come and vifit them*
again. So I recommended them to the grace of our
Lord Jefus, and we parted in great love and tender-
nefs. In the evening of the next day we got to the
main land, where we were gladly received. Now is
was in my heart again to vifit the eaftern parts ^New-
England before 1 left America ; therefore 1 went to Bof-
ton yearly-meeting, thence to Lynn and Salem, where
-we had a fweet comfortable time ; likewife to the
yearly-meeting at Dover, and fo to Piftataway, where
we had feveral meetings, whiclywere profitable op
portunities to many. From Pifcataway, James Good-
bridge and T went over to the lile of Shoals -y we had
with us a church member of the Prejlyterians^ whofe
brother invited her over with us to the faid ifland, to
the meeting which was at his houfe; and while he
was talking with her in the yard or garden, I faw a
bible, and took it, and read therein. When fhe came
into the houfe fhe afked me> c What I did with that

« book/

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2i

c book ;' I told her, c If fhe was offended I would
« lay it down/ c No, no/ faid fhe, f Do not think
c to come of fo, for you difown or deny that book.*
I told her c fhe was miftaken/ and afked, c Who
told her fo / < Why/ faid fhe, f Our minifler in
his pulpit/ I replied, c That it was a great abufe
upon us, for I had been trained up from my child
hood in the reading and belief of the fcriptures,
and my father and mother were friends' (that is
Quakers). She willing to try me further, faid, c Did
« your father and mother fuffer you to read the bible
c when you were a little boy ?' < Yes/ faid I, c and
*. gave me correction when I was not fo willing to
c read therein as they would have me/ c Then,'
faid fhtr, c our minifler has belied you ; and fmce

* you fay fo, if it pleafe God, I will go and hear you/
She went with us to meeting, and after it was over,
(going home) one afked her, c How fhe would an-

* fwer it to their minifler, for going to meeting/
fhe replied, c It was truth fhe had heard, and fhe

* would fland by it through the grace of Chrifl, and
c need not be alhamed of it/ (though we are of our-
felves but poor weak creatures.) This woman was
fober and religious, and one of good report. 'By the
foregoing we may fee how (landers flow from fome
pulpits ; the more is the fhame and pity. We went
on, and preached the gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrifl
in that ability he gave us, with which the people
were affected, and would have had us tarried longer,
but we could not (although they much importuned
us) becaufe we had appointed a meeting at Oyfter
.River. After we had had feveral meetings about
Pifcataway and Dover> we went to Hampton, where
we had meetings ; and at Salfoury we had a large
open meeting, as it was fuppofcdj of about three
-hundred people (which was at this time accounted
a great concourfe of people thereabouts ;) alfo at
Jamaica and Bayer ill we had meetings, and from

B 3 .

22 THE JOURNAL OF

thence went to Salem and Lynn again, where we had
good fervice for truth ; and then to Bofton^ and had
a meeting at the meeting-houfe, and another at a
Friend's houfe in the evening, at which there were
many people. From Bofton I went to vifit Friends
about Cape- CM, till I came again to Rbode-Ifland.
By the way I met with Aaron Atkinfon, who was on a
vifit to Friends in New-England. I had feveral good
opportunities, and powerful meetings, in thofe parts^
and truth wrought a tendernefs in divers at Rhode-
JJland. The prefence of him, who faid, <c Where
^ two or three are met in my name, there am I in
ef the midft of them," being fenfibly witnefied by
many; for he was with us of a truth. From thence
I went round the Narraganfet country, and had meet
ings at feveral places, and was accompanied by John
Rodman and William Beackley^ through Connecticut to
Long-Iftandy which is accounted two hundred miles.
We had one meeting by the way, in which Chrift was
preached to them, as he is the light of the world, at
a place where we were told there never was a Friend's
meeting before. I came to Long-IJland about two
xveeks before the general meeting, and vifited Friends
in feveral places on this ifland, as at Hampftead> Jeru-
falem, Jerico and Betbpage, where there were large
meetings, and much opennefs among the people,
and fome were convinced. WTe had a meeting at a
place called Matinicock, where 1 met, with fome of
the people calfed Ranters, who difturbed our meet
ing. I may fay as the apoftle Paul (only altering
Ephefus to Matinicock) that I fought with beafts
there ; and thence I travelled to New-Torky where
we had two meetings ; from thence we went to the
Jerfeys, and there we had feveral fcrviceable meetings
that were large ; and fo to Pennjylvania, where there
are many very large meetings of Friends, and the
Lord is with his people there, and profpereth them
Spiritually and temporally. Here I met with my

dear.

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 23

dear friend, William Ellis. From Philadelphia, Rich
ard Gove (of that city) and I travelled to Maryland,
and vifited Friends on the weftern fhore, and from
thence to Virginia. In Virginia, near James's river,
I met with an aged Friend whofe name was William
Porter. He was ninety-two years of age, and had
then a daughter two years old.* We had feveral
meetings there amongft Friends and others, many
being well fatisfied concerning the truth, and fpoke
well of it.

And after we had had feveral good and open meet
ings in Virginia, we found ourfelves clear of America,
and in order for our pafiage, we agreed with our
Friend F. Johnfon, on board the Elizabeth and Mary,
to carry us for England.

On the nth of the firft month 1698-9, we were
accompanied on board by feveral Friends, who abodq
with us all night ; and the next day, being the firft-
day of the week, we had a little comfortable meet
ing, and then parted in much love, having the evi
dence of the power of the Almighty with us. We
waited for a fair wind until the 2Oth of the aforefaid
month, and left the Capes of Virginia that day, and
at night we got pur fhip into a failing pofture ; and
I was glad in my fpirit, that I was letting my face
towards my native land ; and more glad, that I was
returning with peace in my bofom. Oh ! the power
and pretence of him who faid, " Go teach all nations/'
was fweet to my foul at that time, and now in fame

* Some years after I faw him, and he was weeding Indian corn
with a hoe. He was then about 106 years of age, and had up
wards of feventy children, grand-children, and great-grand
children. We went divers Friends of us to fee him, and he
preached to us a fhort, but very affecting fermon, which was (as
near as I remember) verbatim thus, ' Friends, you are come to
' fee me in the love of God. God is love, and thofe that dwell

* in God, dwell in love. I thank God, I feel his divine life

* every day and every night.' He lived to fee his above-men,-
tjqned daughter married, and diedA aged 197 years.

64 meafurs

24 THE JOURNAL OF

meafure I enjoyed the fruits of my having laboured
in that ability God had given me. Glory to God,
through Chrift, who is worthy for ever ! the prefence
pf God was with us on the great ocean, and we were
ftrengthened through his goodnefs wonderfully. We
had feveral good meetings on board our (hip, and
were opened in the love of God to the poor feamen
very largely.

When we launched forth into the deep, we were
feveral iliips in company •, but we had been but a lit
tle time at fea, before we loft fight of them all. Se
veral fhips pafled by us about a week after we failed 5
and abput this time we faw a very large whale, who
jifted himfelf part out of the water with his mouth
open, which looked like the entrance of a large cave.
We likewife faw feveral other large fea fi(h, fuch as
grampuffes, fharks, &c. All which fhew forth the
wondrous works of the Great Creator of all things.
Elizabeth IVebb and Elizabeth Lloyd went over with
us in this veflfd, both virtupus women. About two
weeks the winds were moftly fair for us, in which
time we got finely on our way ; but for above a
week afterwards the winds were moftly contrary, and
the (hip had a great motion, which caufed fome of us
to be fea-fick, efpecially Elizabeth Lloyd^ who was
but weakly. One night our iailors thought that an
enemy or pirate was near us, who fired two guns,
and fo paffed by us ; but it being night, we could not
certainly know what (lie was. I rather judged it
might befomefhip in diftrefs, for we faw one of the
fhips that evening that came out with us, and the next
morning we could fee none at ail, and there was hard-

* She was the daughter of Thomas Lloyd, late deputy gover
nor of P ennfylvanla She lived and died a virtuous woman ;
and, I think, generally beloved by all who were acquainted with
her. When fhe died Ihe was the wife of Daniel Zacbary, a mer
chant at Bofton, New-England, well known., and much beloved
there for his piety arid virtue,

Iv-

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 25

]y any wind that night, fo I feared that our compa
nions had fprung a leak and foundered; and when I
told our matter my opinion, he faid, he feared the
fame likewife. Now for two weeks time, or there
abouts, we beat about the fea, and made little pro-
grefs. Howbeit we had feveral good meetings,
wherein we gave glory to God our Saviour $ and for
ever let it afcend, faith my foul, to him over all ! After
contrary winds about two weeks, the wind fprung
up weflerly, and was fair for feveral days ; in which
time we got finely on our way again, and left the
Wefiern IJlands about two days fail behind us; and
then the wind was contrary again. Contrary winds
are commonly tedious at fea (but efpecially to thofe
that know not where to flay their minds) but we being
feveral Friends of us on board that were pafTengers?
had oftentimes good meetings feveral times a week ;
and if any of our fhip's company came to meeting,
they always were fober, and fometimes tender ; and
truly, God's love was extended towards them. And
when it was not our meeting days, we fpent not our
time idly, but for the mod part in reading the holy-
Scriptures, and -writing, &c. in which we were at
fundry fcafons greatly refrefhed, ilrengthened, and
comforted. O my foul ! glorify God thy Maker,
and Chrifl thy Saviour for ever, in the fenfe of his
goodnefs and mercy, both by fea and land, by night
and by day ! After we had been almoft feven weeks at
fea, we thought that we were near the land, but we
founded feveral days, and found no bottom, although
we let out abundance of line, I think above 300 yards*
About this time our doctor dreamed a dream^
which was to this effect, himfelf relating it to me:
He laid, c He dreamed that he went on fhore at a
c great and ipacious town, the buildings whereof
? were high, and the flreets broad ; and as he went
f up the rtreet he faw a large fign, on which was writ-
<f ten in great golden letters SHAME, At the door

* of

36 THE JOURNAL or

c of the houfe (to which the fign belonged) flood
c a woman with a can in her hand, who faid unto

* him, Doctor, will you drink? he replied, with

* all my heart, I have not drank any thing but
c water a great while (our wine and cyder being all

* fpent, having had a long pafiage) and he drank a
' hearty draught, which he faid, made him merry ;

* fo went up the ftreet reeling to and fro, when a
€ grim fellow coming behind him, clapped him on
€ the flioulder, and told him, that he arrelted him in
e the name of the governor of the place. He afked
c him for what, and faid, What have I done ? he

* anfwered, for ftealing the woman's can ; the can
c he had indeed, and fo he was had before the gover-

* nor, which was a mighty black dog, the biggeft

* and grimeft that ever he faw in his life -, and wit-
' nefs was brought in againft him by an old compa-

* nion of his, and he was found guilty, and his fen-

* tence was to go to prifon, and there to lay for ever.'
He told me this dream fo punctually, andwith fuch

an emphafis, that it affected me with ferious fadnefs,
and caufed my heart to move within me (for to me
the dream feemed true, and the interpretation fure)
I then told him he was an ingenious man, and might
clearly fee the interpretation of that dream, which ex
actly anfwered to his ftate and condition, which 1 thus
interpreted to him : c This great and fpacious place,
c wherein the buildings were high and the ftreets
^ broad, is thy great and high profeflicn : the

* fign, on which was wrote fhame, which thou
*• faweft, and the woman at the door, with the ca.n
« Hi—her hand, truly . rep refents that great, crying
c and fhameful fin of drunkennefs, which tho.u knows
< to be thy great weaknefs, which the woman
( with the can did truly reprefent to thee : the
c grim fellow which arrefted thee in the devil's
c territories, is death, who will affuredly arreft all
f mortals ; the governor which thou faweft, re-

5 prefenti

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 27

f prefenting a great black dog, is certainly the devil,
f who after his fervants have ferved him to the full,
c will torment them eternally in hell.' So he got
up, as it were in hade, and faid, c God forbid ! it is
' nothing but a dream.' But I told him it was a very
fignificant one, and a warning to him from the Al
mighty, who fometimes fpeaks to men in dreams.

In feven weeks after we left fight of the land of
'America, we faw the Scilly i Hands, and next day we.
faw the land of England, which was a comfortable
fight to us ; in that God Almighty had preferved us
hitherto, and that we were fo far got on our way*
We drove about the channel's mouth for feveral days
for want of wind j after which, for two days, the
wind came up, and we got as far up the channel as
Lime-bay^ and then an eafterly wind blew frefh for
feveral days, and we nirned to windward, but rather
loft than got on our way, which was tirefome and
tedious to fome of us.

Now about this time (being fome days after the
doctor's dream) a grievous accident happened to us.
We met with a Dutch veflel in Lime -bay, a little
above the Start, hailed her, and fhe us. They faid
they came from Lijlon, and were bound for Holland.
She was loaded with wine, brandy, fruit, and fuch
like commodities ; and we having little but water to
drink (by reafon our paffage was longer than we ex
pected) therefore we fent our boat on board, in order
to buy us a little wine to drink with our water. Our
dodor, and a merchant that was a paffenger, and one
failor, went on board, where they (laid fo long until
fome of them were overcome with wine, although they
were defired to beware thereof; fo that when they
came back, a rope being handed to them, they (being
filled with wine unto excels) Were not capable of
ufing it dexteroufly, infomuch that they overfet the
boat, and Hie turned bottom upwards, having the
under her. The merchant caught hold of a

rope

2$ THE JOURNAL OF

rope called the main fheet, whereby his life was
faved. The failor not getting fo much drink, as the
other two, got nimbly on the bottom of the boat,
and floated on the water till fuch time as our other
boat was hoifted out, which was done with great
fpeed, and we took him in ; but the doctor was
drowned before the boat came. The feaman that fat
upon the boat faw him fink, but could not help him.
This was the greateft exercife that we met with in all
our voyage -, and much the more fo, as the doctor
was of an evil life and converfation, and much
given to excefs of drinking. When he got on board
the aforefaid Ihip, the matter fent for a can of wine,
and faid, ' Doctor, will you drink ?' he replied, c Yes,
* with all my heart, for I have drank no wine a great
while.* Upon which he drank a hearty draught, that
made him merry (as he faid in his dream 5*) and not-
•withstanding the admonition which was fo clearly ma-
nifefted to him but three days before, and the many
promifes he had made to Almighty God, fome of
which I was a witnefs of, when ftrong convictions
were upon him, yet now he was unhappily overcome,
and in drink when he was drowned. This is, I think,
a lively reprefentation of the tender mercy, and juft
judgment of the Almighty to poor mortals •, and I
thought it was worthy to be recorded to pofterity, as
a warning to all great lovers of wine and flrong
liquors. This exercife was fo great to me, that I
could not for feveral days get over it ; and one day
while I was mufmg in my mind on thafe things re
lating to the doctor, it was opened to me, that God
and his fervants were clear, and his blood was on his,

* N. B. This relation about the do&or's dream, when I was
at Barbados, I had occafion to write about it to a friend in Ire
land, which he got printed, and is the lame with this in fufc-
ttance, only that is fomewhat fuller and larger j and may be had
of ihe prinipr hereof,

PWU

THOMAS CHALKLEY. ^

own liead ; for he had been faithfully warned of his
evil ways.

We were obliged by contrary winds to put into
Plymouth harbour, and from Plymouth I went by
Coach to London, where I was gladly received by my
relations and friends. In this journey I travelled
about 2000 miles by land, and 6000 by water. I
got to the yearly-meeting of Friends in London, in
the year 1699, which was large, and was at divers
publick meetings for the w.orlhip of Almighty God.
I may truly fay, the Holy Ghoft was amongft us,
blefled be God our Saviour for evermore.

In this year I thought it my place to enter into a
married ftate, and I acquainted my father of n>y
defign, and that I inclined to make choice of Martha,
Betterton, a religious young woman, whom I entirely
loved for that piety, virtue, and modefty, which I
beheld in her ; (I was in the twenty- fourth year of my
age, and fhe in her twenty- firft.) I likewife acquaint
ed her father and mother with my intentions, to
which both our parents confented j her father faying
(when I fpoke to him) < Go together, and the Lord
« blefs you together/ And my father faid, < If I
* was worth my weight in gold, fhe deferved me.*
The heardnefs of both our fathers in this matter, was
more to me than a portion of filver or gold, of which
\ve had but very little ; but our love to each other
was very great, and being well and honourably
grounded, it was not eafily fhaken. So. after confent
of parents, we propofed our intentions of marriage
to the monthly-meeting unto which we belonged ;
and becaufe 1 had been travelling in America^ I had
certificates from my brethren there, not only of rny
jnduftry and labour in the miniftry, with the good
effects thereof, but alib of my clearnefs in relation to
marriage; and after having twice .pubiiflied our in
tentions, we had liberty of the faicl meeting to pro
ceed to the lolemnization:of our marriage, which was

accomplifhed

go THE JOURNAL b *

accomplifhed at Devonjhire-houfe in London, (at 4
meeting appointed for that end) on the 28 th day of
the feventh month, in the aforcfaid year, in the pre-
ience of many hundreds of people, and many worthy
brethren and elders. A day of days it was to my
foul 1 wherein I was made fenfible of the love and
goodnefs of God in a particular manner, which to me
•was an earned of our future well-doing. My dear
wife was one who truly loved and feared God, and had
an excellent gift of the miniftry given to her, and was
ferviceable therein. A paper coming to my hands
of her own hand writing and compofing, I tranfcribe
it here. She calls it An account of the exercife of
Martha Betterton^ viz. ' As I v/as walking in the city
c of London, with a concern on my mind, in behold-

* ing the abominable pride of the people, it opened

* upon my mind in this wife : Wo, wo 1 to the crown

* of pride ! and then I was deeply bowed in my fpirit
.* before the Lord, and it was laid to me, I will yet

fpare a little longer ; I have iheep which 1 will ga
ther home to me, and there lhall be one fnepherd
and one fheepfold. Then I faid in my heart, Oh
Lord ! fhall I be one of thy fheep belonging to thy
fheepfold of eternal reft. And again it was anfwer-
ed me, My fheep hear my voice, and they follow me.
Then a cry was raifed in me, Caufe me to hear
thy voice ; and not only fo, but enable me to obey
the fame. And then this charge was returned to
me, Be thou faithful/
Soon after I was married, I had a concern to vifit
Friends in the counties of Surry, Sujf'x, and Kent,
which I performed in about two weeks time, and
came home and followed my calling, and was indu-
ftrious therein ; and when 1 had gotten fomething to
bear my expenfes, and fettle my wife in fome little
bufmefs, I found an exercife on my fpirit to go over
to Ireland, to vifit our Friends and brethren on that
idand, in which William Townfoend accompanied me,

and

THOMAS CHALKLEt. 31

and Friends in that nation were generally fatisfied
with our fervice among them. When we had been
from home about ten weeks, and had vifited moft
parts of that nation, having had many meetings
among Friends, and others, we found freedom in our
minds to return home, which we did, being com
forted in our fervice, and blefied the name of the
Lord.

After fome few months I acquainted my wife and
my father, with her father and mother, that I
thought It my duty to go over and live in America.
To which propofal, my father confented, though with
tendernefs of heart, confidering that I mud be fo
far feparated from him. I alfo laid it before the
monthly-meeting of Friends at Horflydown in South-
wark (of which meeting I was a member) who con
fented to it (though fomewhat unwilling to part with
us) and gave us their certificate, to let our brethren
know that we were in love and unity with them,
and walked according to our profeffion. And when
we were ready, and in order forgoing, we agreed for
the freight of our goods and fervants, with John
Snow den > and fhipped them on board the Jofiab,
bound for Maryland. When the fhip was at Gravef-
end^ and ready to fail, feveral of our dear relations
and friends accompanied us to the fhip, on board
of which we had a good meeting, and took our fo-
lemn leave of one another, as never expecting to fee
each other any more in this world. Ic was a folemn
time indeed ! we prayed for one another, and fo
parted, our fhip failing that evening, and we got to
Margate-Road) where we anchored, and the wind
fprung up very frefh, and blew tempeftuoufly, fo
that we broke our cable, and loft our beft bower
anchor, and drove violently towards the Goodwin
Sands. We let go our (licet anchor, and three more,
which were all we had, but they did not flop her;
upon which the mailer ordered the carpenters to (land

by

3 a THE JOURNAL OF

by the main-maft, with their axes upon their fhoul^
ders, and when he gave the word, then they were td
cut the maft. The people in the fhip (there being
divers paffengers) were in great condensation, ex
pecting nothing but death : but for my part; being
exceedingly fea-fick, and having been in many
ftorms, I "vVas not fo much furprized with this, the
failors fometimes making a great noife when there is
but little danger; but there was more danger than
I was aware of, as appeared afterwards. One of
the paffengers came weeping, and faid, our cafe was
very bad. The doctor alfo came in the fame man
ner, and cried, ' Oh ! Mr. Chalkley, we are all dead
c men !' then I thought with myfelf, I would go out
on deck, and fee what the matter was ; and when
on deck, I went to the pilot, who had the lead in
his hand, and he founded, and cried out, c Lord have

* mercy upon us! fhe is gone, fhe is gone, {he is

* gone I* by which I perceived that we were very-
near the Goodwin fands, on which many fhips have
been loft with all their crews. In this fenfe of dan-
.ger 1 fent for the paffengers into the cabin, and told
them that I thought it would be well for us to fit
(till together, and look unto, and wait upon God, to
fee what he would pleafe to do for us •> that, if death
came, we might meet him in as good a frame of
mind as we could, and that we might not* be fur*
prized beyond meafure : and as we were thus com-
pofed in our minds, a concern came upon my dear
wife, and fhe prayed to God the Father, in the living
power and fenfe of his Son, and he heard from his
fioly habitation, and anfwered the prayer; for im
mediately after the wind abated, and our anchors
held us. This was a great deliverance, which is not
to be forgotten. When we faw the longed for morn
ing, we were very near the fands, and the fea ran
prodigioufly high, and broke upon them mightily,
ib that we were forced to leave our cables and an
chors

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 33

chors, and make the bed of our way to Deal, as well
as we could. One of the owners being on Ihore,
and feeing us in didrefs, fent off a cable and anchor
to us ; and we anchored before Deal with our new
cable and anchor, and fent a boat for our other an
chors and cables, when it was calm, which brought
them to us. And after we had fupplied ourfelves
with what we wanted, we put to fea again, and had
fair winds till we got as far as the Weftern-JJlands*
where Captain Cant being in company with us, he
fpoke with our captain in the evening, and the two
captains concluded it would be ftormy that night,
which happened accordingly. They took in their
fails, and we all but our mainfail j notwithstanding
which, the dorm was fuch, that we loft our main-
mad, fprting the head of our fore-mad, and broke
our crofs-jack-yard, and thus lay rolling upon the
fea for about two weeks : the fliip Bridol Merchant
coming by in that time, lent us a fpare top-mad, of
which we made a main-mad, and a top-mad of our
topgallant-mad, and fo refitted out as well as we
could, and had a pretty good paflage afterwards.
We were about eight weeks from the Land's -End to
the capes of Virginia -, had meetings twice a week on
board, and they helped to day our minds on our
Maker, though our bodies were tofled to and again
on the mighty waters. We went on fhore ztPatux-
ent River, and went by land to Herring Bay, where I,
my wife and family, tarried that winter -, and 1, with
my three fervants, followed my calling. In the fpring
1701, we tranfported ourfelves, our. goods, and fer
vants, from Maryland to Pennjylvania, where we in
tended to fettle when we came from our native coun
try. At Philadelphia I bought a lot of ground upon
the river Delaware^ and there I followed my calling
that fummer, and in the fall I had an inward call to
vifit Friends in Barbadoes, which I propofed to our
monthly-meeting, and they certified on my behalf,

C that

34 THE JOURNAL OF

that they had unity with me in my propofal, Confer-
fation and miniftry : fo I took fhip at Philadelphia*,
about the zoth of the fcventh month, iycr, on board

the Abraham^ Street, commander, and was about

a month on our voyage ; Jcfiah Langdale was with
me. We had feveral good meetings in the fhip to
our fatisfa&ion ; and we/e well received, and had
many meetings at Earltcdoesy which were often very
large and open, and fome of the peop^ loving and
tender. We had feveral meetings at Bridge-Town^
Speight' s-yown, the Spring, and the Thicket lj, and at
Pumkin-Hill', and after being there about fix weeks,
we vvent in a (loop to Bermudas^ where we found but
very few Friends, yet had meetings in feveral places^
and at the houfes of fome people who were not of
our profeflion ; and the longer we tarried, the larger
our meetings were ; and many began to be affect-
ed> and fpoke well of us and our devotion j but fome
were diiiurbed, and fpoke to the governor to break
up our meeting, which at the dcfire of one of the
Inhabitants we had appointed at his houfe, upon
which he fent orders by one of his colonels to break
tip our meeting, which troubled divers rober people.
After this I met with the governor at the houfe of
one judge Staford; aha he beirg ^ moderate man,
we had the following dtfcoiirfe, viz.

Gov. How do you uke cur country ? We are but
a little fpot in the fe*.

(T. C. I like it v/ell for its moderate climate. If
the people were moderate alfo, it would be well.

Gov. Doth it anfwer your end in coming ?

CT. C. My end in coining, was to vifit the people
in Chriftian love.

1 Gov. Do you think the people will be brought
over ?

T. C. If they are brought to truth and righteouf-
nefs, it will be well wich them. That is the end of
our coming,

Gov..

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 35

Gov. If you had acquainted me with your defign,
lien tirft you came, you had done well. It was your
duty.

f. C. If we had known the governor's will herein^
or that thou wouldeft have fpoken with us, we fhould
readily have anfwered it: but knowing nothing of
itj ^we could not tell but that it might be taken for
rudenefs in us, confidering our homely way and
manner of addrefling iuch men.

Gov. Then your defign in coming here was to
preach. Had yon no other end ?

<T. C. Yes. As we found a concern upon us to
preach, and a defire in the people to hear.

Gov. Why do not you tarr/ with them ? That
looks ftrange. Here the people are affected with
you, and you go away 'and leave them : upon my
word I blame you for that;

2". C. We do not direct them to man, but to the
Lord Jefus (Thrift, their teacher and Bifhop of their
foulsi And why fhould our leaving them look ftrange
to the governor? for it was the practice of the
apoftles of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and his own prac
tice and command to his followers. And further
the apoftles (which word fignifies ambafladors or
meifengers, fay, « Follow us, as we are followers of
Chrift. And they travelled up and down the
world preaching the gofpel ; and that our great Lord
himiclf had not whereon to lay his head.

Gov. The apoftles were infpired men: infpired by
the Holy Spirit to preach the gofpel. I fuppofe you
do not pretend to be infpired.

T. C. Every true Chnftian ought to pray for the
pouring out of the holy Spirit, or holy Ghoft upon
mm. ^ The church of England* alfo, prays for it, the
receiving of which is inipiration,

Of which church the governor was a member.

36 THE JOURNAL OF

Gov. Your reafons being grounded on Scripture,
you are well grounded ; for no man can deny the
Scriptures. Then you fay you are infpired.

<T. C. I hope I am. I pray for it with great ear-
neftnefs.

Gov. Then it is but afk, and have, you think.
CT. C. If we afk in faith, without wavering, we
fhall receive according to the doctrine of Chrift and
his apoftles in the New Teftament.

Gov. Well, If any have a defire to hear you, you
may preach and welcome.

After I had this difcourfe with the governor, it was
reported on the ifland, that the governor had given
us licenfe to preach, which report was not true, fur
ther than the aforefaid difcourfe, and then we had
larger meetings than before. We had a meeting at
judge Stafford's houfe, and one at a houfe not far
from his.

It is obfervable, that this ifland had formerly been
a very healthful and fruitful place. Red cedar, or
fweet wood, is all the timber they have in the
ifland, with which they build their houfes, make
their houfhold goods, build their fhips and floops,
and make their fires 5 fo that there is continually a
fragrant and pleafant fmell, which we could fmell at
fea fome time before we faw the land; and it is yet
a pretty healthy and fruitful ifland, but not fo heal
thy and fruitful as formerly. In one of the meetings
I was concerned to let them know, that it was the
evil of their ways and doings, that had caufed the
Almighty to with-hold from them the fruits of the
earth, and to make their ifland more uahealthful than
formerly it was. After meeting the judge told me,
I had faid truly, for that was tin- caufe ; and if I had
fpoke more to that matter, or en that fubjeft, I had
done well. Several were convinced at this time on
this ill and,

Soon

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 37

Soon after an opportunity offered, in a (loop be
longing to this ifland, that was bound fa Philadelphia,
In which we, being clear, embarked, and on our
voyage had indifferent good weather, only one hard
gale of wind, which caufed us to hand our jib. A
Molatto man, named Stavo, being the mailer's fe-r-
vant, went out upon the bowfprit to hand the fail,
and there came a fea and walhed him off, and the
veffel ran over him; and, in all probability, he had
certainly been drowned, had he not been a good
Iwimmer; for he fwam, as we judged, three quar
ters of a mile, before he got to the (loop, ic not
coming into any one's mind to lower the fails, until I
fharply ordered it to be done, which they then did
readily ; and the courfe of the veifel being flopped,
he foon got on board, having ftripped himfelf of
his cloaths in the fea, and brought them in bis
mouth. I was very thankful for the poor fellow's
life, and praifed the Lord in the fecret of my foul,
for his prefervation. In about two weeks time we
arrived at Philadelphia , and I had great peace in my
labours in this vifit, in which 1 was from home
about five months. The Friends of Earbadoes were
fo well fatisfied with this labour of love, that they
certified the fame by way of certificate, more than is
proper for me to mention. But though they thought
fo well of me, yet I had occafion to think very mean
ly of myfelf, for I was emptied to exceeding great
fpiritual poverty at times.

After I came home from Earbadoes and Bermudas^
I followed my calling, and kept to meetings dili
gently ; for I was not eafy to be idle, eithrr in my
fpiritual or temporal callings; and at times travel
led in the work of the miniilry incur own province,
in which there are many large meetings of Friends,
and they increafe and multiply from time to time.
Since my fettling in this province, which is now about
3 year, fome hundreds of people are come here to

C 3 fettle,

3« THE J O U R N A L OF

fettle, and divers meeting-houfes are built ; and I do
certainly know from above, that this province of
Pennfyfoania, and city of Philadelphia, will flourifli
both fpintually and temporally, if the inhabitants will
iove, and live in righteoufnefs, and in the fear of
God ; otherwile the hand that planted them can foon
pluck them up. After fome time I was drawn forth
to vifit Friends in Maryland, Virginia, and Nortb-
Carolina, and went with the unity of Friends, hav
ing their certificate (according to the good order
cftablifhed among us). So about the 26th of the firft
month, 1703, I went through Maryland* and vifited
Friends in Virginia and North -Carolina, to the river
Pamphlico, where no travelling publick Friends, that
ever I heard of, were before 5 and we had feveral
meetings there on each fide of the river. One clay
going out of our canoe through a marfn, I trod on
a rattle-fnake (which is accounted one of the mod
poifonous fnakes) but it only hi (Ted at me, and did
no harm. This was one deliverance, among many,
the Lord by his providence wrought for me; and' I
blefs his holy name for all his mercies. In going to,
and coming from this place, we lay two nights in the
\voods, and I think I never flept better in all my
life. It was the eighth hour in the evening when
I laid down on the ground one night (my faddle
being my pillow) at the root of a tree, and it was
four o'clock in the morning when they called me.
When I awoke, I thought of good Jacob's lodging
he had on his way to Padanaram, when he faw the
holy vifion of angels, with the ladder, whole top
reached to heaven. Very fweet was the love of
God to my foul that morning, and the dew of the
everlafting hilis refrefhed me; and I went on my
wayjjraifing the Lord, and magnifying the God of
my falvation. In this journey I met with another re
markable deliverance : going over a river eight miles
broad, we put our hories, we being eighteen and

fey en

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 39

feven horfes, into two canoes tied together, and our
horfes flood with their fore-feet ir; one, and. their
hind feet in the other. It was calm when we fet out,
but when we weie ab;>ut the- m ddle of the river the
wind arofe, and the fcas ran high, and fplit one of
our canoes, fo that with our hats we were obliged to
caft out the water j and with much difficulty, at lad,
all of us, with our horfes, got fafe on Ihore, through
the good providence of God. And on return through
North Carolina, we had feveral large meetings, and
an open time it was \ as alfo at Nanfimund and
Cbuckatue, and feveral other places in Virginia-, and
when my fervice was over in thofe two provinces, I
went back to Maryland, and vifited meetings there,
and then went home. As near as I can compute it,
I rode about a thoufand miles on this journey. After
which I ftaid at home, following my bufmefs, in
order to the maintenance of my family, being Welled
with wife, children, and fervants, and with other
things ; for which 1 am truly thankful.

While I was at home, I vifited the neighbouring
meetings as I found a concern on my mind 3 and
on the 6th day of the third month, 1704, I laid be
fore our quarterly-meeting of minifters and elders
an cxerciie that was upon my mind, to vifit our
Friends meetings on Long-IJland, Rbode-Ifland, and
in New-England, and the places adjacent; from
which quarterly-meeting I had a good certificate
which I thought it my duty to endeavour to live up
unto; and being accompanied with feveral Friends
to Burlington and Crojwicks, jojepb Glafter being my
fellow-labourer in the work or the gofpel ; at the
two aforefaid places we had meetings, and then we
travelled to New-Tor k and ' Long- I/land, where we had
divers meetings; as at. Fhtjjjing, Weft bury, Jerufalem,
Jerico, Betbpage, Matinicock, and alfo at IVeft-CbeJ-
ter, on the, main ; and from thence we travelled to
Rhode-lfiand yearly-meeting, which was large and

C A. ferviceable

40 THE JOURNAL OF

ferviceable to many. From hence Jofefh Glafter
went towards Eoflon^ the inland way, and I went
by the fea-fide, and we met together, after I had
been at meetings at divers places, viz. Dartmouth and
Nantucket ifland, at which ifland there are large
meetings, people there being moftly Friends, and a
fober growing people in the beft things ; though not
of our fociety when they firft received the truth, yet
they received it with gladnefs ; and although divers
of the people called Prefbyterians were very cruel in
their expreflions, and bitter in their fpirits againft us,
yet there were fome who went under that name,
who were more open and charitable towards us, and
received us gladly with tendernefs ; and at fome
places we had meetings at their houfes to our mutual
fatis faction. We likewife had meetings at Suckanufety
Scituate and Sandwich. About this time the Indians
were very barbarous in the deftruction of the Eng-
iijh inhabitants, fcalping fome, and knocking out
the brains of others, men, women, and children,
by which the country was greatly alarmed, both
by night and day; but the great Lord of all was
pleafed wonderfully to preferve our Friends, efpe-
cially thofe who kept faithful to their peaceable
principle, according to the dodtrine of Chrift in the
holy Scriptures, as recorded in his excellent fermon
which he preached on the mount, in the 5th, 6th, and
yth chapters of Matthew, which is quite oppofite to.
killing, revenge, and deftruction, even of our ene
mies : and becaufe our Friends could not join with
thofe of fighting principles and practices, fome of
them were put into prifon ; divers people railing and
fpeaking very bitterly againft their peaceable neigh
bours, and wifhing the Quakers might be cut off.
Some of the New-England priefts and profefifors were
fo bitter againft Friends that inftead of being hum
bled, under the mighty hand of God upon them, in
fuffering the Indians to deftroy them, they exprefTed

their

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 41

their enmity againfl the poor Quakers, on a day ap
pointed for humiliation and a faft •, and particularly in
a fermon preached by one of their priefts, which he
divided into three heads, viz. Firft, That the judg
ments of God were upon them, in letting looie the
favage Indians to deftroy them. Secondly, In that
he with-held the fruits of the earth from them (for
there was great fcarcity.) Thirdly, That the Quakers
prevailed, and were fuffered to increafe fo much a-
mong them ; which, he faid, was worfe thart the In
dians deilroying of them, and gave this abfurd reafon
for it, The Indians deftroy our bodies, but the Qua
kers deftroy the foul.* This is an abominable falie-
hood ; for it is fin that deftroys the foul, and fuch
as thole that preach to the people, that there is no
freedom from it in this world, contradict Chrift's
doctrine, " Be ye perfect," &c. And that of the
apoftles, cc He that is born of God cannot fin.*'
And thus their blind guides miftake light for dark-
nefs, and darknefs for light. Among the many
hundreds that were flain, I heard bur of three of our
friends being killed, whofe deftruclion was very re
markable, as I was informed (the one was a woman,
the other two were men.) The men ufed to go to
their labour without any weapons, and trufted to the
Almighty, and depended on his providence to protect
them, (it being their principle not to ufe weapons
of war, to offend others, or defend themfelves) but a
fpirit of diftruft taking place in their minds, they
took weapons of war to defend themfelves ; and
the Indians, who had feen them feveral times with
out them, and let them alone, faying, They were
peaceable men, and hurt nobody, therefore they would
not hurt them ; now feeing them have guns, and
fuppofing they defigned to kill the Indians, they

* This prieft was foon after killed by the Indians, as I was
told by a miniiler.

therefore

42 THE JOURNAL OF

therefore fhot the men dead. The woman had re
mained in her habitation, and could not be free to
go to a fortified place for prefervation, neither fhe,
her fon, nor daughter, nor to take thither the little
ones j but the poor woman after fome time began
to let in a flavifh fear, and did advife her children
to go with her to a fort not far from their dwelling.
Her daughter being one that trufted in the name of
the Lord, the mighty tower, to which the righteous
fiee and find fafety, could not confent to go with her ;
and having left a particular account in a letter to
her children of her and their prefervation, I think it
\vorthy to be inferted here in her own words,

C \\ T^EN the cruel Indians were fuffered to kill

« V V an^ deftroy, it was fhewed me, That I

* mud (land in a teftimony for truth, and truft in
f the name of the Lord that was a flrong tower,
c and we fhould wait upon him. And I often de-

* fired my mother and hufband to fit down, and
c wait upon the Lord, and he would fhew us what

* we fhould do : but I could not prevail with him,
c but he would fay it was too late now, and was in
' great haile to be gone ; but I could not go with
c him, becaufe I was afraid of offending the Lord :
c but flill he would fay I was deluded by the devil,
€ fo that my mother would often fay, A houfe divided
c could not (land ; and fhe could not tell what to do.
c Although l}ie had moft peace in (laying, yet fhe had

* thoughts of moving, and laid to me, Child, can
f thee certainly fay it is revealed to thee that we fhould

* (lay; if it be, I would willingly flay, if I was fure it
c was the mind of God. But I being young, was
c afraid to fpeak fo high, faid, Mother, 1 can fay

* that it is fo wjth me, that when I think of Haying

* and trulting in the name of the Lord, I find great

< peace and comfort, more than I can utter, with

< a belief we fhall be preierved -3 but when I think

< of

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 43

of going, oh the trouble and heavinefs I feel,
with a fear fome of us- fhould fall by them ! And
my dear mother fighed, and faid, She could not
tell what to do. But I faid to them, If they would
go, I would be willing to flay alone; if they found
freedom, I was very willing, for I was afraid of
offending the Lord. But Hill my poor hufoand
would fay, I took a wrong fpirit for the right. And
he would fay how I fhould know; for if I was
rightl would be willing to condefcend to him. And
then I faid3 in condefcenfion to him I would move $
but I hope the Lord will not lay^it to my charge,
for was it not to condefcend to him, I would not
move for the world; and after I had given away
my ftrength, in a little time there came men
from the garrifon, with their guns, and told us,
they came 'for us, and told us, The Indians, they
thought, might be near ; and then away we went$
and Vny mother went in with my brother-in-
law, although 1 pe- fuacled her not to do it. But fhe
faid, Why, "my child is there : And why may not I
be with him as well as thee P and fo we went along
to Hampton, to my huiband's brother's. But O
the fear and trouble that I felt ! and told my
hufband, it feemed as if we were going into the
mouth of the Indians. And the next day was
the firft day of the week •, and our dear friend,
Lydia Norton, came with my dear mother-, and
in her teftimony fhe faid, there was there that
: was very near to her life,, that was very near
; death. O then I was ready to think it would be
: I, becaufe I believed we had done amifs in mov-
: ing, and great trouble was I in, and told dear Lydia
• oftt; but fhe comforted me as much as fhe could,
; and faid, She did not think it would be I. And my
: dear mother went to my fitter's again, to the
: garrifon, where fhe found herfelf not eaty ; but,
: as fhe often i aid to many, that fhe felt herfelf in a

4 beclouded

44 THE JOURNAL OF

c beclouded condition, and more fhut from cotinfel
c than ever fhe had been fmce ihe knew the truth ;
c and being uneafy, went to move to a friend's houfe
c that lived in the neighbourhood •, and as fhe was
* moving, the bloody cruel Indians lay by the way !
c and killed her. O then how did I lament moving.
c And promifed, if the Lord would be pleafed to fpare
c my life, and hufband, and children, and carry
c us home again, I would never do fo more. But
€ O the fear, and trouble, and darknefs, that
fell upon me, and many more at that time ! And
three or four of us kept our meeting, but although
we fat and waited as well as we could, yet we fat
under a poor beclouded condition, till we return
ed home again ; then did the Lord pleafe to lift
up the light of his love upon our poor fouls.
O then I told my hufband, although he had built a
little houfe by the garrifon, I could not move
again. So he was willing to flay while the winter
feafon lafted, but told me he could not flay when
fummer came, for then the Indians would be
about; and fo told me, That if I could not go to
the garrifon, I might go to a friend's houfe that
was near it. And I was willing to pleafe him, if
the Lord was willing ; and then applied my heart
to know the mind of truth, and it was fhewed
me, that if I moved again, I fhould lofe the fenfe
of truth, and I fhould never hold up my head
again. O then I told my hufband he mufl never
afk me to move again, for I durfl not do it. Still
he would fay it was a notion, till our dear friend
fhomas Storey came and told him, He did not fee
that I could have a greater revelation than I had.
And fatisfied my hufband fo well, that he never
afked me more to go, but was very well contented
to flay all the wars ; and then things were made
more eafy, and we faw abundance of the wonder
ful works, and of the mighty power of the Lord,

in

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 45

in keeping and preferving of us, when the Indians

were at our doors and windows, and at other

times; and how the Lord put courage in you,

my dear children ; do not you forget it, and do

not think that as you were young, and becaufe you

knew little, fo you feared nothing ; but often con-

fider how you ftaid at home alone, when we went

6 to meetings, and how the Lord preferved you,

c and kept you, fo that no hurt came upon you.

c And I leave this charge upon you, Live in the fear

' of the Lord, and fee you fet him always before

c your eyes, left you fin againft him : for if I had

* not feared the Lord, and felt the comforts of his

* holy Spirit, I never could have flood fo great a
c trial, when fo many judged, and faid, I was de-
c luded, and that all the blood of my hufband and
c children, would be required at my hands ; but

* the Lord was near to me, and gave me ftrength
c and courage, and faith to truft in him, for I

* knew his name to be a ftrong tower, yea, and

* ftronger than any in the world ; for I have often-
€ times fled there for fafety. O blefling and honour,

* and everlafting high praifes, be given to the Lord,
c and to his dear Son, our Saviour and Mediator,

* Chrift Jefus, Amen.

MARY DOE.

A neighbour of the aforefaid people told me,
That as he was at work in his field, the Indians faw
and called him, and he went to them. They told
him, That they had no quarrel with the Quakers 9
for they were a quiet, peaceable people, and hurt no
body, and that therefore none ihould hurt them.
But they laid, that the Prejbyterians in thefe parts had
taken awa^ their lands, and ibme of their lives,
and would now, if they could, deftroy all the In
dians.

Thofc

4$ THE JOURNAL OF

Thofe Indians began about this time to fhoot peo
ple down as they rode along the road, and to knock
them on the head in their beds, and very barbaroufi/
murdered many: but we travelled the country, and
had large meetings, and the good prefence of God
was with us abundantly, and we had great inward
joy in the Holy Ghoft in our outward jeopardy and
travels. The people generally rode and went to
their worfliip armed, but Friends went to their
meetings without either fword or gun, having their
trufl and confidence in God.

After having had divers good meetings in thofe
eaftern parts of New-England, I returned to Salem^
Lynn, Eoflon, and fo on towards Rhode- I/land, and
at divers adjacent places; as in the Narraganfet
country we had divers meetings, alfo at Dartmouth^
Sandwich and Scituate. As i was entering into the
town of Bofton, in company with many others, a
man rode up to me, and afked in a fcoffing manner^
6 Whether I faw or met with any Quakers on the road ?»
I pleafantly told him, ' we Ihould not tell the Prejby*
< terians, left they fhould hang them.' He not t In n Ic
ing of fuch an aniwer, went iheakingly away.

Now having thoroughly vifited Friends in thofe
parts, in company with my friend Thomas Storey > I
travelled through Conneflicut government, and had
feveral meeting* in that colony; and came to Long-
IJland, where we had divers meetings to the fatisfac-
tion of ourfelves and Friends. From Long- I/land, af
ter we were clear of the fervice and exerciie of the
work of the miniftry, and had vifited Friends
meetings as we travelled ; and in divers places found
openneis among the people who were not of our
profeflion (which fometimes came in great numbers
to our meetings, and feve.ral were convinced in fome
good degree, and many' comforted, ttrcngrhened,
and edified in Chriil our Lord) we came to Phila
delphia, the place of our habitation. Let, faith my

fowJj

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 47

foul, his name have the praife of all his works for
ever.

After being at home fome time, I vifited Friends
meetings in our own county, and feveral parts of
Neiv-Jerfey, Maryland, and the lower counties on the
Delaware. At Jones's I appointed a meeting at a
publick houfe near the court-houfe (general notice

being given thereof) there came one Crawford*

a prieft, with many of his hearers, and in the begin
ning of the meeting he read a fermon, as they called
it, which was a tranfcript of the work of fome of
our adverfaries, which we defired to have from them
to anfwer. They faid, * If I would anfwer it myfelf
' I (hould have it/ The which I told them I fhould,
if they would let me ; but though they promifed it,
they did not perform, but were worfe than their word.
We heard them read it over patiently j and after they
had done we had our meeting. The auditory was
large, and moft of the magiftrates were at it. The
prieft's reading, and my teftimony occafioned this
meeting to hold long ; after which as we were getting
on horfeback, the prieft cried out among the people,
f That he did not think we fhould go away fo fneak-
ingly.' We having twenty miles to ride that night,
and he near his home, he having the advantage in. that
refpect, fome thought it made him the bolder, for
he let me go on horfeback before he uttered that
fneaking exprcilion. I told him, to challenge was
enough to fet a coward to work, and we were no
cowards; for he knew we could venture our lives
for our religion, which I queflioned whether he would
do for his ; fo I difmounted, and he having the
bible open in his hand, I being near him, chanced,
againft my will and knowledge, to touch it with
my foot. c Look you, gentlemen,' fays he, « he
f tramples the word of God under his feet.' For which
grofs abufe his own hearers openly rebuked him, and
put him to fharne. Then he faidj c He would prove

48 THE JOURNAL OF

c us no miniflers of Chrift/ I bid him prove himfelf
one, and he would do the bufmefs. c Well,5 fays he,
« How (hall we know who are Chrift's minifters?'
' Why/ laid I in anfwer to him, e art thou willing
€ to be tried by Chrift's rule, for he hath given us a
* plain rule to know them by.' c What is that rule ?
€ let us hear it,' fays he. It is fliort, but full, namely,
<c By their fruits you (hall know them : for men do
cc not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thiftles ;"
wherefore by their fruits they are known. I deny it,
fays pried Crawford (for that was the name he went
by here, he going under another elfe where) that they
are known by their fruits. I anfwered, c Then thou
c denies the plain and naked truth of Chrift.9 So I
called aloud to the people to take notice what a
blind guide they had ; and indeed he was wicked as
well as blind, and his fruits not good; which may
make one fuppofe, that he was not willing to be tried
by his fruits : for foon after, news came that he had
a wife in England, and as he had another here, his
fruits were wicked with a witnefs; and according to
Chrift's doctrine, no good could fpring from his
miniftry, therefore he proved himfelf by his evil
deeds to be no miniftcr of Jefus Chrift. Near the
aforefaid place we got a meeting fettled, which is
called Little Creek meeting ; and about the fame
time a meeting was eftabiifhed, and a meeting-houfe
built at Duck Creek. The people in thole parts about
this time began mightily to fee through the formal
preaching of fuch as preach for money or hire, who
love the hire, though they do not love to be called
hirelings.

In the year 1706, having fome concerns in the
province of Maryland, I had divers meetings as I
travelled on the road, as at Nottingham, Elk River,
Ncrtheaft, Sufquehannah, Bujh and Gunpowder Rivers,
at fome of which places 1 do not know that there had
been any meetings before. At one of thefe meetings

were

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 49

V/ere one Edwards a pried, and a lawyer the attor
ney-general, and feveral of the jtidices of the peace.
The pried was angry ^ and faid^ c It was an unlawful
< aiTernbly, the houfe not being licenfed by law.' The
judices told him3 That he and his people being there
to hear, if any unwarrantable or falie dofrrine was
preached, he had a fair opportunity to lay it open
before all the people. So they defired him to hear
patiently and quietly. He feemed to like the propo-
fition, and fat down by me. We had not fat down
long before I flood up> and fpoke to the people fome
confiderable time-, and the lawyer far oppofite to
me, and took what I faid in fhort hand, for about:
half an hour; but growing weary, he laid down his
pen, and took out < -f his pocket a bottle of liquor^
or fpirits* and faid, ( Come friend, here is to the e, or
c youj you have fpoke a great while, you need fome-
c thing to refrefh you.' So I made a dop, and faid to
the people, here is your minifter, and here is fome of
the fruits of his miniitry, of which he and ail fober
people may be aihamed. And then I went on again
without any oppofitiori till I had done; but after
wards they were in a rage, and threatened what they
would do to me, if ev<:r I came to have a meeting
any more there. But I told cherry if they had power
to take our lives from ns, they were not dear to us
for the fake of Chrift and his gofpel $ and rhat we
did not matter their threatening^. I defired the
lawyer to give me a copy of what he had written :
he went about it, but did not do it; neither was he
candid in penning my words •, for feveral of the peo
ple then prcffest did bear witnds he had not writ ic
verbatim, nor truly taken the fenfe of what 1 fpoke,
wherefore I charged him to be juil Qtherwifehe had
many witnefTes againft him ; at which the pried bent
his fid, and held it up to me, but did not drike me,
and away they went in a ftvt. Soon after we had ano
ther meeting at the fame place, which was large and

D quiet.

50 THE JOURNAL OF

quiet. The man of the houfe being an attorney at
law, had got his houfe licenfed, and though the
prieil and lawyer threatened hard, they came not.

Aquila Pica', high fheriff for the county, living at
the head of Sufi river, near the main road, built
a meeting-houfe at his own charge, and had it licen-
fed, at which we had many good meetings. About
this time alfo was built a meeting-houfe at a place
called Nottingham, which is a large meeting, and
greatly increafes.

When I was travelling in thofe parts', I had a con
cern on my mind to vifit the Indians living near Suf-
quehannahy at Coneftogoe-, I laid it before the elders
of Nottingham meeting, with which they exprefied
their unity, and promoted my vifiting them. We
got an interpreter, and thirteen or fourteen of us tra
velled through the woods about fifty miles, carrying
ourprovifions with us, and on the journey fat down
by a river, and fpread our food on the grafs, and
refrefhed ourfelves and horfes, and then went on
cheerfully, and with good will, and much love ta
the poor Indians ; and when we came, they received
us kindly, treating us civilly in their way. We
treated about having a meeting with them in a religi
ous way, upon which they called a council, in which
they were very grave, and fpoke one after another
without any heat or jarring; and fome of the moft
efteemecl of their women do fometimes fpeak in their
councils. I afked our interpreter, < Why they fuf-
* fered or permitted the women to fpeak in their coun-
c cils;' his anfwer was> < That fome women were wi-
« fer than fome men.5 Our interpreter told me, That
they had not done any thing for many years without
the counfel of an ancient grave woman ; who, I ob-
ferved fpoke much in their council ; for I was per
mitted to be prefent at it ; and I afked, < What it
c was the woman faid;' He told me fhe was an em-
prefs -, and they gave much heed to what fhe fa id a-

mongil

THOMAS CHALKLEY. $i

rnbngft them, and that fhe then faid to them, e She

* looked upon our coming to be more than natural,

* becaufe we did not come to buy, or fell, or get gain>

* but came in love and refptct to them, and defired
c their well doing both here and hereafter ;' and fur
ther continued, c That our meetings among them

* might be very beneficial to their young people,*
and related a dream which fhe had three days before,
and interpreted it, viz. c That fhe was in London,

* and that London was the fined place fhe ever faw, it

* was like to Philadelphia > but much bigger; and fhe

* went acrofs fix flrcets, and in the feventh fhe law
c William Penn preaching to the people, which was

* a great multirude, and both fhe and William Penn
c rejoiced to fee One another; and after meeting fhe
c went to him, and he told her, That in a litrle time

* he would come over and preach to them alfo, of

* which fhe Was very glad. And now fhe faid her
c dream was fulfilled, for one of his friends was

* come to preach to them/ And fhe advifed them
to hear ns^ and entertain us kindly ; and accordingly
they did. Here were two nations of them, the Sene-
cas and the Shawnefe. We had firft a meeting with
the Senecasy with which they were much affedted ; and
they called the other nation, viz. the Shawnefe, and
interpreted to them what he had fpoke in their meet
ing, and the poor Indians, particularly fome of the
young men and women, were under a folid exercife
and concerni We* had alfo a meeting with the other
nation, and they were all very kind to us, and defired
more fuch opportunities ; the which; I hope Divine
Providence will order them, if they are worthy thereof.
The gofpel of Jefus Chrift was preached freely to
them, and faith in (Thrift, who was put to death at
Jerufalem, by the unbelieving Jews •> and that this
fame Jefus came to fave people from their fins, and
by his grace and light in the foul, fhews to man
his fins, and convinced! him thereof* deliverin him

D 2

52 THE JOURNAL or

out of them, and gives inward peace and comfort t«
the foul for well-doing, and forrow and trouble
for evil-doing ; to all which, as their manner is, they
gave publick aflents ; and to that of the light in the
foul, they gave a double affent, and feemed much.
affected with the doctrine of truth; alfo the benefit
of the holy Scriptures was largely opened to them.*
After this we returned to our refpective habitations,,
thankful in our hearts to the God and Father of our
Lord Jefus Chrift. Several of the Friends that went
with me expreffed their fatisfadlion in this vifit, and
offered themfelves freely to go again on the like fer-
vice.

I alfo was concerned foon after to vifit the people ,
about Egg-Harbour and Cape- May, and had divers-
meetings amongft them, and feveral meetings were
fettled in thofe parts, and the people fomewhat re
formed from what they had been before they were vi-
fited by Friends, as themfelves told me, after a meet
ing we had with them, that they uied to fpend the
Sabbath days in fporting and vanity, until Friends
came among them, and now they met together to
•worfhip God, and his Son Jefus Chrift. At our
coming amongft them,fome backQiders and apoftates
were difpleafed. One, in a very bitter fpirit, called.
us curfed and cruel devils. Another wrote againft
us. To him I fent an anfwer, for which he fcanda-
lized me in one of his almanacks, and publickly be
lied me in print; which lies I fwept away with a
Small Broom, printed in this year 1/06, to which I
never underftood that he returned any anfwer, nor

* It is worthy of notice, that at the firft fettling of Pennfylva-
nia> William Penn took great care to do juftice to the Indians,
and bought his land of them to their fktisfaclion, and fettled a
trade with them ; fo that whereas the Indians were deltrudive to
other colonies, they were helpful to Pexnfylvania ; and to this
day they love to hear the name of WILLIAM PENN.

that

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 53

that he wrote againft Friends afterwards, though he
had made it his prs&ice before for feveral years.

At Little Egg-Harbour lived a Friend whofe name
was Edward Andrews, who, as h<^ hinnfelf told me, had
been a leader of the people into vanity and folly, as
inufiek, dancing, 6cc. But the good hand of the
Lord being upon him, wrought a wonderful refor
mation in him, and made him an inftnr ent to lead
people into truth and righteoufnefs And gave him
an excellent gift in the miniftry or the gofpel of
Chrifl ; fo that he was made inflrumental in the ga
thering of a large and growing meeting, mod of the
people thereabouts being convinced, and a great
reformation and change wrought in their converfa-
tions. This Friend told me, That when he was very
rude and wild, he was mightily reached unto at the
meeting we had under the trees at Crojwicks,* fo
that he could not go on with his vanity as before,
after which he had ftrong convictions on him, which,
wrought converfion in the Lord's time, after he had
gone through many and deep inward exercifes.

After thefe feveral journies were over, and I had
cleared myfelf, I was fome time at home, and fol
lowed my bufinefs with diligence and induftry, and
throve in things of the world, the Lord adding
a bleffing to my labours. Some people would teli
me that I got money for preaching, and grew rich
by it ; which, being a common calumny caft upon
our publick Friends that are travellers, I {hall take
a little notice of it, and leave it to pofterity. That it
is againft our principle, and contrary to our known
practice and rule, to take money for our preaching
the gofpel of Chrift, and the publifning of falvation
through his name unto the people .$ for according
to ChrifVs command, we, receiving it freely, aie to
give it forth freely : and I can fay without vanity

* See page 17.

54 THE JOURNAL OF

or boafting, I have fpent many pounds in that fervice^
befides my time, which was, and is, as precious to
me, as to other people : and rifing early, and laying
down late ; many days riding 40, 50, and 60 miles a
day, which was very laborious and hard for my flefh
to endure, being corpulent and heavy from the 27th
year of my age -, and I can truly fay, that I never
received any money or consideration on account of
thefe fervices, either directly or indirectly ; and yet
if any of our miniflers are neceffitous or poor, we re
lieve them freely not becaufe they are preachers, but
becaufe they are needy ; and when we have done thofe
things, we have done but our duty : and well will
it be for thofe that have difcharged themfelves faith
fully therein: fuch will, befides the earnefl of peace
in their own fouls in this world, have a blefTed reward
in the glorious kingdom of the Lord and his Chrift in
that world which is to come. It is well known
that 1 have fpent much of my time, iince I have been
free from my apprenticefliip, in travelling and
preaching the gofpel, being out often many months,
and fometimes a whole year, and more ; and at in
tervals I have been apt to think the time long, till I
got to my bufmefs and family ; and fo have divers
times made more hafte than I fhould have done,
which has brought trouble on my mind, and is a
trouble to me unto this day ; which may be a cau
tion to thofe who travel in the work of the minifhy
hereafter, not to make too much hafle from the work
of Chrift ; and yet there ought to be difcretion ufed ;
for a minifter may flay too long, as well as return
too foon, which may be perceived as we keep the
eye of our mind to our Divine Guide.

After 1 had (laid at and about home for fome con-
fiderable time, a weighty concern came upon me to
vifit Friends in the Wejl-Inclies^ and fome parts of
Europe* as it might pleafe the Almighty to open my
way ^ and as it was to be a long travel^ both by fea

' and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 55

and land, and hazardous, by reafon it was war time,
and many privateers out at Tea, I fettled my affairs
by will, and otherwife, that if I fhould not live to
come home again, things relating to my outward
affairs might be done honourably and well ; for at
this time, as at many others, I can truly fay, I gave
tip my life freely for my holy Matter's fake, and m
his caufe, who faid, " Go teach all nations/' &c.

On the 29th of the fixth month, 1707, I had a
certificate from the monthly-meeting of Friends at
Philadelphia* fignifying their unity with my under
taking, and defires for my welfare; and a tender
concern was on my mind that I might live according
to what my brethren had certified concerning me. I
* likewifc laid my exercife before the general-meeting
of minifters and elders held for the provinces of Penn
sylvania and New-Jerfey, on the 22d of the feventh
month, who alfo fignified their fellowfhip with my
intended travels and journey, and recommended me
to the grace of God ; and in much love and tender-
nefs I parted with my clear and loving wife, and my
near and affectionate friends and brethren.

I had for my companion and fellow labourer in the
work of the gofpel, my dear friend Richard Gove,
who aifo had the approbation and unity of Friends in
this journey and undertaking.

We went on board a Hoop at Philadelphia, bound
for Barbadoes, John Knight mailer, about the 27th of
the eighth month, in the aforefaid year.

After a few days failing down the river Delaware,
we put to fea, and in about a month's time we came
within fight of Barbadoes, where we met with a pri
vateer, which chafed, and had like to have taken us ;
but the good Providence of God preferv^d us out of
the hands of thofe enemies, for ever bleOTed be his
great name ! In this chafe the feamen were uneafy,
and belched out wicked oaths, and curfed the Quakers,
wilhino- all their veffels might be taken by the ene-

D 4

56 THE JOURNAL OF

my, becaufe they did not carry guns in them : a£
which evil I was grieved, and began thus to expoftu-
late with them : ' Do you know the worth of a man's,
f life ?' (guns being made on purpofe to deflroy mens
lives ;) ' were this fhip and cargo mine, fo far as I
c know mine heart, I do ingenuouily declare, I had

* rather iofe it all, than that one of you ihould lofe

* his life,' for I certainly knew they were unfit to die.

* Lives !' faid they, * we had rather iofe our lives than

* go to France.' But, faid I, ( that is not the matter -9

* Had you rather go to hell, than go to France?' they
being guilty of great fins and wickednefs, and con
victed in their own confciences, held their peace, and
laid no more about the poor Quakers', and when we
got within gun-fliot of a fort on Earbadoes^ the ene
my left chafing us,

N^xt morning early we fafely arrived at Bridge^
, in Barbadoes, where our Friends gladly received
us ; amongft whom we laboured in the work of the
gofpcl for about two months 3 and from thence, af
ter having had divers good and edifying meetings for
the worfhip of God, we failed for jtnti?ua> and ftaid
ibme days there, having meetings, and vifiting our
brethren. From Antigua we failed for Nevis, but the
wind being contrary, we put in at Montjerrat, an ifie
that hath a great mountain in it, on the top of which
is a hot fpring of water, which boils up, and the
mud of it is clear brimftone, fome of which we car
ried on board pur veiTcl -, the which is admirable, and
fhews the wonderful works of God. They fay that
the fpring is hot enough to boil an egg. From this
ifland we failed to Nevis, and had meetings with thofe
few Friends that were there, with whom we parted at
the fea-fhore in great love and tendernefs. After
which we failed to an i ft and. called Anzudla, and were
civilly treated there by the generality of the people;
as alfo by the governor, George Leonard, at whofe
houfe we had meetings. I remember, that after one

meeting

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 57

meeting the governor went into his porch, and rook
the bible, and opened it, and faid, * Bv this bo;»k, if
' people believe the holy Scriptures, I am able to
< convince the world, and prove that the people cal-
c led Quakers are the people of God, and that they
4 follow the example and doctrine of Chrift, and the
* practices of the apoflies and primitive Chriitians,
' nearer thanc'any people in the world ;' /'. e. gene
rally ipeaking. At this ifland feveral people were
heartily convinced, and did confefs to the truth, a-
mong whom a meeting was fettled. Here was never
any Friend before, as the inhabitants faid. i intreat
the Lord Jehovah to preferve the fmcere-hearted a-
mong them in his holy fear, whilfl they remain in
this world ; and not them only, but all that love and
fear him, in all kindreds and nations, and amongft
people of all profeQions whatfoever. This, in the
univerfal fpirit of God's divine love, is the defire of
my foul. Back from Anguilla we went to N'evtSy
and from Nevis to Antigua \ and notwithstanding our
floop was a dull failer, yet we were preferved from
the enemy to the admiration of ourfelves, friends,
and others, our courfe being in the very road of the
privateers. Jufl as we got into the harbour and were
landed, a privateer came by with a prize along with,
her, as we fuppofed, which excited our tha,nkfulnefs
to the Lord for our prefervation. Here we met
with the packet boat bound for Jamaica, and thence
for England. We ilaid a little at the ifland called
Saint Cbriftopber's. In our way to Jamaica we faw
a fmall privateer, that gave us chace, and it being
calm, (he rowed up towards us. The matter pre
pared the veiTel to fight, hoifting up his mainfail,
and putting out our colours. In the interim fome
weic bold, and fome foirowful. One came to me,
and afked, *What I thought of it? and vyhat I thought
f of the Shtakers principles now ?'• I told him I
thought 1 was as willing to go to heaven as himfelf

was ;

5« THE JOURNAL or

was ; to which he faid nothing, but turned away from
me. Another afked me, c What I would do now ?' I
told him I would p?ay that they might be made bet
ter, and that they might be made fit to die. Then
in the midft of their noife and hurry, in fecret I beg
ged of the Almighty, in the name, and for the fake of
his dear Son, that he would be pleafed to caufe a frefh
gale of wind to fpring up, that we might Be deli
vered from the enemy without (hedding blood (well
knowing that few of them were fit to die) and even
\vhilft I was thus concerned, the Lord anfwered my
defire and prayer, for in a few minutes the wind
fprung up, and we foon left them out of fight, our
vefTel failing extraordinary well, and the next day
we got to Jamaica, and had divers meetings, viz. at
Port-Royal, Kingfton, and SpaniJh-Town^ &c. At a
meeting at SpaniJ}j-cjCown, there were divers Jews^ to
whom my heart was very open, and I felt great
love to them, for the fake of their fathers Abra-
bam, IJaac, and Jacob, and they were fo affected
-with the meeting, that they fent us fome unleavened
cakes, made with fine flour and fweet oil, it being a
feftival time with them. We had a meeting at Port-
Royal, in a place where the earthquake had deftroyed
a large building, in which meeting I had occafion to
remind them of the righteous judgments of God,
which had been juftly inflicted on them for their fins
and wickednefs. Some wept, and fome were rude.
The people here, as I was informed, were generally
very wicked. After having had divers meetings, the
packet in which we had taken our pafiage, being
obliged to May but ten days, we went off fooner than
we otherwife fhould have done,*and folemnly taking
leave of thofe Friends that were there, we went on
board our veflTel, in order for England, by God's
permiffion. We got readily through the Windward
faffage, which is between the i (lands of Cuba and
and divers times after we \& Jamaica^

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 59

we were chafed by feveral {hips, but they could not
come up with us. One fliip of twenty-eight guns,
gave us chace after a great ftorm, and was almoft
up with us before we could well make fail ; they
being eager of their prey, fent their hands aloft to
let their reefs out of the topfails, in order to make
more fpeed, and came running mightily towards us,
and gained much upon us ; we fearing to make fail,
by reafon of the dorm, and the fea running very high,
and our mafts being therefore in danger, we were
fome time in doubt, whether we fhould efcape or
not : but whilft we were in this confirmation, down
came the French {hip's three topmafts at once, fo we
efcaped, and left her, and went rejoicing on our way,
that we were thus delivered. This was one of the
great and remarkable deliverances among the many
I met with, by the good hand and providence of the
Lord, my great and good Mailer, whom I hope to
ferve all my days.

After having been at fea about fix weeks, we began
to look out for land, and in two or three clays we
founded, and found ground at about ninety fathoms;
after which we faw two French privateers, that gave
us chace about four o'clock irfthe morning, and pur-
fued us vigoroufly ; but failing better than they, we
run them out of fight by eight o'clock the fame
morning, and in about two hours after we faw the
land of Ireland-, it being miily weather, with rain
and wind, our mailer thought it beft to lay by and
forbear failing, that coaft being rqcky and dange
rous, by which means the two fhips that gave us
chace, came up with us, and found us not in failing
order, and were in gun-fhot of us before we were
aware of it. What to do now we could not tell, until
they began to fire at us ; but in this emergency and
{trait, our matter refolved he would rather run the
veffel on fhore than they fhould have her, (lie being
richly laden with indigo, filver, and gold, reckoned

to

60 THE JOURNAL or

to the value of fifty thoufand pounds. In this
ftrait, we mud either fall into the hands of the
Frenchy who were our enemies, or run againft the
rocks ; and we thought it bed to fall into the hands
of the Almighty, and truft to his providence ; fo
towards the rocks we went, which looked with a ter
rible afpect. The native Irijh feeing us, they came
down in great numbers, and ran on the rocks, and
called to us, faying, « That if we came any nearer we
* fhould be dafhed to pieces.' Then our mafter or
dered the anchor to be let go, which brought her up
before fhe (truck •, and, with much ado, he put his
boat out into the fea, and put in all the paflengers,
in order to fet them on ftiore, the waves running
very high, fo that it looked as if every wave would
have fwallowed us up ; and it was a great favour of
Providence that we got to land in fafety. The pri
vateers not daring to come fo near the fhore as we
did, after firing at us, went away, and our mafter
carried the (hip into the harbour of Kinfale in Ireland.
Thus through many perils and dangers we were pre-
ferved, and got fafc on the Irijh ihore, for which,
and all other the mercies and favours of the moft
High, my foul and fpirit did give glory and praife !
In this voyage we were about feven weeks at fea.

When I came from my home at Philadelphia, I
did intend, the Lord permitting, to vifit Friends in
Ireland, and being accidentally cafton fhore there, I
thought it my place firfl to go through that nation. I
had been in Ireland about nine years before, and then
being but young, and now being more grown in
body, my old acquaintance and friends did not at
firfl know me ; but we were kindly and lovingly re
ceived by our Friends and brethren in that nation^
where there is a great and numerous people, that fcrve
and worfhip the Father in Spirit and in truth, and
who have divers s;ood and wholefome orders efla-

O

among them, in the unity and ftllovyfhip

of

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 61

of the gofpel. In this nation we had many and large
meetings after our landing, vifiting Friends meet
ings along to the north, many not of our fociety,
coming to them, among whom we often had good
fervice, to our and their fatisfadtion, as they often
declared, Richard Gave being (till with me. Friends
from their national meeting certified to our brethren
in America, of our fervice and labour of love
among them, after we had travelled feveral hundred
miles, and vifited Friends meetings generally, and
fome other places where it was not ufual. While I
was in Ireland, under a concern for the profperity
of truth and religion, I wrote an Exhortation to
the youth, and others, Which was afterwards printed
there.

We took (hip in the north of Ireland, at a town
called Donagbadee, being accompanied with divers bre
thren, who brought us on our way after a godly fort.
We got to Port-Patrick in Scotland, after about five
hours fail, in order to vifit thofe few Friends that
were fcattered about in that part of the nation. Peo
ple in thofe parts looked very i"hy on us, and did not
care to difcourie with us on matters civil or reli
gious^ which 1 thought unreafonable. The firft town
or cky we came to, in which we had a meeting,
was Glafgow, accounted the fecond city in North- Bri
tain, where, in our meeting for the worlhip of the
Almighty, we werefhamefully treated, by the people
throwing dirt, (tones, coals, &c. amongft us, and by
divers other actions unbecoming men, though Hea
thens or Infidels, much more people profeffing Chriftia-
nity \ fo that I was conftrained to tell them, that
though I had preached the gofpel to many Heathens^
and to divers Jews, as alfo to Indians and Negroes, and
had travelled in many countries and nations, in the
world, in feveral quarters thereof, and many thou-
fands of miles, yet I muft needs fay, that I never met
with the like incivilities, and iuch fcurrilous treat
ment,

62 THE JOURNAL OF

ment, no, not in all my travels. I alfo told them;
that I had preached the gofpel of Chrift among their
brethren in New-England, and in Bofton, where they
formerly hanged the Quakers, and cruelly perfecuted
them for their religion, and yet they did not treat us
fo brutifhly even there. And further I told them,
that 1 lived in thofe parts of America, and what ac
count I fhould have to carry home to their aforefaid
brethren, of our treatment in Glafgow* the fecond
city in Scotland. I defired them to confider of it, and
be afliamed, if they had any fhame. This a little
abafhed them for the preient, but afterwards they
were as bad as ever. There were at this meeting
divers collegians, who were very rude. I afked if
that was their way of treating ftrangers ? and that I
believed their teachers in the univerfity did not allow
of fuch ill manners, by which they fcandalized them-
felves, their city and country. From this city we
went to Hamilton and Gerftoore, where they were more
civil. At Gerjhore a man of letters, and fober con-
verfation, begged that 1 would pray to the Almighty >
that he would eftablifh him in the doclrine which he
had heard that day. This being rare in thofe parts>
therefore I thus minute it here. We went on towards
the north of Scotland, to Aberdeen, and thereabouts^
where there is a tender-hearted people, among whom
we had feveral large gatherings, and ibme that were
not of us, expreiled their facisfadlion* In the north
I met with a gentleman, who coming from a noble
man's houfe> joined me, and afked me, c If I kne\¥
€ Robert Barclay ¥ I laid, c not perfonally, but by his
* writings I knew him well.' He told me, < That he,
c Barclay, had not left his fellow in Scotland.1 We af
terwards travelled fcinhward, where there were but
few Friends, andfmallmeetings-, yet we may fay, that
the goodnefs, love and prefence of him, who faid,
<c Where two or three are gathered in my name, there
<c ami in the midH of them," was oftentimes witnefTeti

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 63

to be with us, bleffed be his holy name. Oh ! that the
children of men would praife him in thought, word,
and deed, for he is worthy. So in great reverence
and holy fear, we travelled along towards South-
Britain ; had feveral meetings at Edinburgh, and di
vers other places ; alfo at Berwick upon Tweed* where
there were many foldiers who were very rude. The
Devil hath had many battles with us, ever fmce we
were a people, in order to hinder us in our worfhip,
but we generally came off with victory, as we did here
alfo, through faith in his name, who hath loved us,
and manifefted himfelf to us. Thofe rude foldiers
throwed their hats into the congregation, in order
to diflurb us, and hinder us in our fervice, but were
at laft afliamed and difappointed. At this place my
dear Friend and fellow-traveller Richard Gove, and I
parted. I was for going by the eaft fea-coafl up for
London, and he inclined towards Cumberland, after we
had travelled about a year in the work of the miniftry,
in great love and true friendlhip, in which work we
were true helpers one of another ; and as we had la
boured together in the work of Chrift, fo we parted
in his love. Now from Berwick I travelled along to
Newcaftle; had one meeting by the way, and feveral
good meetings at Newcafrk, Sunder land* Sboten* and
Durham, and feveral other places in the bifhoprick of
Durham. The winter coming on apace, it began to
be bad travelling-, and I being already much fpenc
by it, defigned to go fpecdily up to London-, and
taking fome meetings in my way, as at Stockton*
Whitby* Scarborough, Burlington, Hull, and Brigg, and
fo on through Lincoln/hire, where I went to vifit a
Friend that was prifoner in the eaftle of IJnciht*
becaufe for confcience-lake he could not pay an
ungodly pried the tithe of his labour. From
Lincoln I proceeded to Huntington, about which place
we had feveral large meetings; fo on to BMcck,
where I met with my f.uher and John Go/^'y who

64 THE JOURNAL OF

came from London to meet me, which was a joyful
meeting, for I had not fern my father for about nine
years. The love and tendernefs between us, and
the gladnefs in feeing each other again, cannot well
be expreflfed (but I believe it was fomewhat like Jacob
and Jofepb's meeting in Egypt ;) it wasaffeding and
melting : bletfed be the Almighty that gave me once
more to fee my tender and aged parent ! fo from
Ealdock we went to Hitcbin^ and had a meeting
there, as alfo at Hertford, from whence, with feveral
Friends, I went to Enfield, where I met with my
dear and only brother George, and there were with
us feveral of my relationSj and divers others of our
Friends : we were heartily glad to fee one another^
From Enfield we went forward for London, and by
the way we met with feveral Friends, of the meeting
toLHorflydown, to which I did belong from my child
hood, who came to meet me, and accompanied us td
London.

I ilaid in and about the city moft of the winter,
vifiting meetings when I was well and in health ; for
through often changing the climates, I got a fevere
cold, and was ill for feveral weeks, fo that I was not at
any meeting, which time was very tedious to me ;
not fo much becaufe of my illnefs, as that I was de
prived of divers opportunities and meetings, which
are in that city every day of the week except the
Jail. When I was a little got over this illnefs, I
went into Hertford/hire) and fume parts adjacrntj
and had meetings at Staines^ Longford, Uxvridge,
Watford^ Hemp/lead, Bend.Jb, Albans, Market-Street,
Hitcbin, Hertford, Hoddefdon, and then returned again
to London.

After I had been at London awhile, I vifired feveral
other country meetings, as Winchmore-Hill, Tot ten-
lam, Wandjwonij, Platftc-w, Deft ford and Effing,
and then itaid about London forne weeks waiting ior

a pailage

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 65

a paJTage for Holland, which I intended to vifit be
fore I left my own habitation.

And on the i4th of the firft month, 1708-9, I,
with my companion John Bell, after having ac
quainted our friends and relations, having their con-
fent, and taking our folemn leave of them, we went
down to Gravefendy and Itaid there two or three days
for a fair wind. We went on board the Ihip Anne,
John Ducky mafter, bound for Rotterdam, in com
pany with a fleet of veficls waiting for wind, &c.
When the wind was fair, we failed for the coaft of
Holland, and when we arrived on that coaft the wind
was contrary, and blew very hard, fo that fome of
the fliips in company loft their anchors ; but on
the 27th of the fame month we arrived fafe at Rotter*
dam in Holland. On the firft-day morning we went
to meeting at Rotterdam, where Friends have a meet-
ing-houfc; and we ftaid at this city feven or eight
days, and had fix or feven meetings, and were com
forted with our brethren and filters, and greatly re-
frefhed in the Lord Almighty. At this city we fpoke
without an interpreter, becaufe moft in the meeting
underftood Englift*. From Rotterdam we travelled by
the trackfcoot, or boat, being drawn by horfes,
which is a pleafant eafy way of travelling, to a
large town called Harlem, where we had a meeting,
and fpoke by an interpreter; to which meeting came
divers of thofe people called Menonifts ; they were
very fober and attentive, and ftaid all the time of
the meeting, and fpoke well of it. From Harlem we
went to Amflcrdam, the metropolis of Holland^ where
Friends have a meeting- houfe. Here we had feveral
meetings, and ftaid about a week. On the firft-
day we had a large meeting, to which came many
people of divers perfuafions and religions, as Jews9
Papiftsy and others ; and we had a good opportunity
among them, and feveral were tender. A Jew came
next day to fpeak with us, and did acknowledge,

E < That

66 THE JOURNAL OF

4 That Chrift was the minifter of that fandtuary and
c tabernacle that God had pitched, and not man j and
' that he was fenfible of the miniftry of Chrift in his
( foul ; and,' faid he, ' my heart was broken while
f that fubjecl: was fpoken of in the meeting.' I was
glad to fee the man tender and reached ; but too ge
nerally fpeaking, the poor Jews, the feed of good
Jacob, are very dark and unbelieving. I have met
with but very few of them in my travels that have
been tender ; but I do love them for Abraham, Ifaac,
and Jacob's fake. At this meeting William Sewel, the
author of the Hiftory of the Rife and Progrefs of the
people called Qiiakers, a tender-fpirited upright man,
interpreted for me. From Amjlerdam we went to
North-Holland, and John Claus and Peter Reyard went
with us to interpret for us; fo by boat, or fcoot,
we travelled to a town called ^w'ijky where we had
two meetings, Friends having a meeting-houfe there ;
from Twi/k we went back again to Amfterdam, and
had two large meetings there on the firft-day, and
fecond day in the evening we went on fliip-board,
in order to crofs the fouth fea to Herlingen^ at which
place we had two meetings, and we and Friends were
glad to fee one another : and indeed, we being as one
family all the world over, are generally glad to fee
each other. From this place we travelled eaftward
through Eaft-FrieJland, and went through feveral
great towns and cities until we came to Embden, the
chief city in Eaft-FrieJland, where we had a comfort
able meeting by the bed-fide of one of our Friends
that lay fick; and feveral of her neighbours came in
and ftaid till the meeting ended ; fome of them were
very tender and loving, and wifhed us well, and were
well fatisfied. After meeting we fet forward for
Hamburgh^ it being four days journey by waggon,
and pafTed along through divers towns and cities.
We alfo travelled through the city of Oldenburgh,
and a place of great commerce called Bremen. A
-i(:; magiftrate

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 67

magiftrate of this city took notice of us, joined him*,
felf to us, and went with us to the inn, and then very
lovingly took leave of us, and defired God to blefs
us. The people at our inns were generally very
loving and kind to us, andfome would admire at my
coming fo far only to vifit my Friends, without any
views of advantage or profit outwardly. When we'
got to Hamburg, we had a meeting at Jacob Hagen's,
and thofe that were there, were well fatisfied with
the doctrine of truth, bleflfed be God, who, I may
fay, was with us at that time and place ! At Ham
burg there was at meeting one who had preached
before the king of Denmark ; who, as i understood
by our interpreter, was turned out of his place for
preaching the fame truth that we had preached
there that day-, at which meeting were Papifts, Lu-
therans^ Cahinifts^ Menonifts, Jews, &c. All of
them were fober, and generally exprefTed their fatis-
faclion. I had fo much comfort in that meeting,
that I thought it was worth my labour in coming from
my habitation, the anfwer of peace was fuch to my
foul, that I greatly rejoiced in my labour in the
work of Chrift. From hence I travelled to Frede-
rickftadt^ it being two days journey, where Friends
have a meering-houfe. We ftaid about ten days,
and had nine meetings in that city. Some of the
meetings were very large, and the longer we ftaid,
the larger they were. ThizF-redtrickfladtis a city in
the dominions of the duke of Holftein, and was the
fartheft place we travelled to eaftward ; and from
hence I wrote a fmall piece, called, A loving Invita
tion unto Young and Old in Holland and elfewhere ;
which was tranflated into the German and Low Dutch
languages ; and divers impreffions of them were alfo
printed in England.

We travelled in this journey through fome parts of

the emperor of Germany's dominions, as alfo of the

kings of 'Denmark and Swede/land, and of the duke of

E 2 Oldenburgb's

68 THE J O U R N A L o F

Oldenburgh's and prince of Eaft-Friefland*s territories,
befidcs ibme parts of the Seven Provinces of the United
States. We parted with our Friends of this city of
Frederickftadt, in much love and tendernefs, and
with our hearts full of good will one towards ano
ther, and Ib went back to the city of Embden a nearer
way, by two days journey, than to go by Ham
burg. We croffed the rivers Eydery Elfe, and Wei-
fer-, over which lail we were rowed by three wo
men. The women in thofe parts of the world are
flrong and robuft, and ufed to hard labour. I have
feen them do not only the work of men, but of horfes;
it being common with them to do the moil laborious,
and the men the lighted and eafieft work. I remem
ber that I once faw near Hamburg a fair well dreffed
woman, who, by her drefs, or appearance, was a wo
man of fome note, and a man, which I took to be
her hufband, walking by her, and fhe was very great
with child, and the way difficult, being up a very
Iteep hill, and he did not fo much as offer his hand,
or afliftance to her; which, however it might look
to a man of that country, it feemed very ftrange to
me, being a Briton. For my part, I thought it un
manly, as well as unmannerly : on which I obferve,
that I never in any part of the world, faw women fo
tenderly dealt by as our Engli/h or Briti/b women,
which they ought to value and prize highly, and
therefore, to be the more loving and obedient to
their hufbands, the indulgent Englishmen ; which in
dulgence I blame not, but commend, fo far as it is
a motive to flir them up to love and faithfulnefs.

In this journey between Frederickftadt and Embdeny
we had four days hard travelling, and were twice
overturned out of our waggons, but we got no
harm, which was admirable to us -, for once we fell,
waggon and all, over a great bank, juft by the fide
of a large ditch, and did but juft lave ourfelves out
of the ditch. The next time we overfet upon ftones.

We

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 69

We wondered that none of us were hurt, particularly
myfelf, I being much heavier than any of the reft ;
but through the mercy of God, we got well to Embden
the fecond time, and had a meeting upon a firft-
day, and immediately after meeting we took fhip
for Delfzeel, which was from Embden about nine or
ten Engli/h miles by water, and with a fair gale of
wind, got there in lefs than two hours time. We
fpoke by interpreters all along, and were divinely
helped to preach the gofpel to the fatisfaction of
others, and our own comfort ; and the friend who
interpreted for us, was feniible of the fame divine
affiftance, to his admiration, for which we were all
truly thankful. But notwithstanding we were fo
opened, to the fatisfaction of ourfelves, our Friends,
and the people, yet we were fometimes emptied to ex
ceeding great fpiritual poverty, and in the fenfe of
our want and need, we did many times pour out
Our fouls and fpirits in humble prayer and fuppli-
cation to the Moft High, for his help and ftrength,
that it might be made manifest to us in our weaknefs ;
and we found him a God near at hand, and often a
prefent help in the needful time, and had a fweet an-
fwer to our prayers. Oh ! that my foul, with all the
faithful, may dwell near to him, in whom alone is
the help and ftrength of all his faithful fervants and
minifters. Amen.

From Delfzeel we went to Grosnlngen^ the chief
city in Groeningland, and fo on to a river called the
Wonder, and to a town named Goradick, where we
had a meeting with a few Friends there, and fome of
their neighbours came to the meeting. It was to
us a comfortable meeting, and they were glad of it,
they being but feldom vifited by Friends. From this
place we travelled by waggon to Hervine, where we
lodged that night, and next day went by waggon
to Leuwardert. It happened that we had generally
very fine weather while in thofe open waggons, in

E 3 which

70 THE JOURNAL OF

which we travelled feveral hundred miles, fo that
Jacob ClauSy our companion and interpreter, though
he had travelled much, faid he never had obierved
the like before; which obfervation I thought good
to make, with thanks to the Almighty.

From the city of Leuutarden, we came by water
to Herlingen, where Friends were glad to fee us, and
we them. We had a meeting in Friends meeting-
houfe, and a good comfortable one it was, blefled be
the Lord for it ! From hence we eroded the South-
fea, and had a contrary wind, which made our paf-
fage long and tedious. We were two days and two
nights on this water before we got to Amfterdam^ in
all which, and the next day, I tafted.no food, being
three days fafting. I was willing to keep my body
under, and found it for my health ; neither had I any
defire of food in thofe three days, in which time
we had two meetings. We arrived at Amfterdam
about the fixth hour, on the firfl-day morning, and
had two meetings at Anifterdam that day, which
were quiet, and many people came to one of them :
but we could not be clear without going again to
North-Holland •, fo from Amfterdam we went to Horn,
where we had a meeting in the collegian's meeting-
houfe, and it was to fatisfaclion : the people were
very loving, and divers very tender, even more than
we had ufually feen. They defired another meeting,
but our time would not admit of it, we having ap
pointed a meeting at I'wi/k the next day, which we
had in the meeting-place, as alfo another at a Friend's
houfe. The next day we returned to Amfterdam,
and had a meeting, which began about the fifth
hour, which was the laft meeting we had in this
.city, and I hope it will not eafily be forgotten by
fome. After it we folemnly took our leave of Friends,
and departed for Harlem^ where we were well refrefh-
ed in the love and life of Chrift Jefus, our dear
Lord and good Matter. From Harlem we went

with

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 71

with federal Friends to Rotterdam, where we had two
meetings, and in the evening we went to vifit a
Friend that was not well, with whom we had a meet
ing, and affefting time, and the fick Friend was
comforted and refrelhed, and faid, < fhe was much
c better than before •/ and we were edified, and the
Lord our God praifed and magnified over all, who
is blefled for ever.

In thofe parts, viz. Holland, Friejland, Germany,
&c. we travelled 972 Englijh miles, all in waggons
and veflels. We came not on a horfe's back all the
time. It was about nine weeks that we (laid in
thofe countries, travelling therein, and getting meet
ings where we could, which were to the number of
forty-five, thus accounted :

At Rotterdam 10

Harlem 3

Amfterdam i o

<fwijk 4

Herlingen 3

At Horn

Hamburgh i

Embden 2

Frederickftadt 10
Goradick i

All thefe are large cities, except fwi/k and Go
radick.

From Rotterdam we took {hip for London, and on
the 3Oth of the third month 1709, we failed down
the river Meufe to the Briel, in the fhip Anne, John-
Duck matter, but he miffing the convoy, we took
our paflage in^the packet ; and fo from Hel-voetjluys
we failed over to Harwich, and thus fafely arrived in
our native land, bleffing Almighty God for his many
prefervations and deliverances by fea and land.

About this time, after a long continuance of war,
there was a great talking of peace ; but the old ene
my to peace, truth, and righteoufnefs, broke it off by
his evil working in man : neither can there be any
lading peace, until the nations come to the witnef-
fing of the peaceable government and fpirit of our

E A.

72 THE JOURNAL OF

Lord Jefus Chrift, to be fet up and eftablifhed in
themfdves. The Lord bring it to pafs, if it be his
bleffed will, with fpeed, far hrs holy name's fake !
Amen.

As I have had great peace and fatisfaction in my
travels in Holland and Germany ', fo, for exciting
others under the like exercife, I may truly fay, that
there is encouragement for faithful minifters to labour
in the work of the gofpel : for I know not that I
ever met with more teadernefs and opennefs in
people, than in thofe parts of the world. There is
a great people which they c&\\ Menonifts> who are very
near to truth, and the fields are white unto harveft
among divers of that people, fpiritually fpeaking.
Oh ! that faithful labourers, not a few, might be fenc
of God Almighty into the great vineyard of the
world, is what my foul and fpirit breathes to him
for!

After lodging one night at Harwich, we came to
Ipfwicby and from thence to Colchefter, and ftaid there
the firft-day, and had two meetings; and had a
meeting at Birch and Coggcfliall, and then back to
Colchcfter> where we took coach for London, to the
yearly-meeting of Friends, which was very large. I
gave fome Ihort account of my travels to the faid
meeting, with which Friends were fatisfied, a<nd made
a minute thereof. 1 had been about twenty months
from my habitation, and from my dear and affec
tionate wife, and from any manner of trade and
bufmefs, either directly, or indirectly, being all that
time wholly given up in my mind to preach the glo
rious gofpel of God our Saviour, without any out
ward confideration whatever, taking my great Maf-
ter's counfel, " As I had freely received from him,
*c fo I freely gave ;" and had that folid peace in my
labours that is of more value than gold3 yea, than all
the world.

prom

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 73

From the yearly-meeting I travelled through fome
parts of moft of the counties in England, and alfo in
Wales: in which fervice I laboured fervently, and
often travelled hard, in body and mind, until the
next yearly-meeting, 1710, having travelled that
year about two thoufand five hundred miles, and
had near three hundred publick meetings, in many
of which there were much people, and oftentimes
great opennefs. I being at ib many Friends houfes,
and at ib many meetings, if I was to be particular in
the fame it would be too voluminous, for which, and
fome reafons befides, I only give a general account
thereof here.

In this year, viz. 1710, my dear friend and fel
low traveller, Richard Gove, departed this life, at
Uxbridge, about fifteen miles from London, at our
Friend Richard Richardfons houfe. He died of a
confumption. We travelled together in great love
and unity, and the Lord blefled his work in our
hand's. We were in company in the Weft- India
iflands* Ireland, and North- Britain, till we came to
Berwick on Tweed. We met together again at London*
and he vifited fome other parts of Britain in the time
I was in Holland and Germany. He was an inoffenfive
loving Friend, and had a found teftimony, which,
was ferviceable and convincing, and was well-beloved
in Philadelphia, where he lived. He left a good fa
vour and report behind him, I think, wherever he
travelled hi the world.

Now at this general meeting in London, I had a
good opportunity to take my leave of my dear
friends and brethren in my native land, not ex
pecting to fee it, or them any more, in this world.
Oh ! I may truly fay, it was a folemn parting ! it was
a folemn time to me indeed. After the yearly-meet
ing was over, I rook my paffage in the Mary-hope,
John Annis matter, bound for Philadelphia; and on
;he 29th of the fourth month, 1710, at Grave/end) af
ter

74 THE JOURNAL OF

ter having taken my folemn leave of our relations,
and feveral of my dear friends, we fet fail, and over
took the RuJJia fleet at Harwich, and fo joined them,
and failed with them as far as Shetland, which is to the
northward of the ifles of Orkney. We were with the
fleet about two weeks, and then left them, and failed
to the we ft ward for America. In this time we had
rough feas, which made divers of us fea-fick. Af
ter we left Shetland, we were feven weeks and four
days at fea before we faw the land of America^ and
glad we were when we got fight thereof. In this time
we had divers fweet and folemn meetings, viz. on
firft-days and fifth-days, wherein we worfhipped
and praifed the great JEHOVAH, and many
things were opened in the fpirit of love and truth,
to our comfort and edification. We had one meet
ing with the Germans or Palatines, on the (hip's deck,
and one that underftood both languages interpreted
for me. The people were tender and wrought upon,
behaved fober, and were well fatisfied : and I can
truly fay, I was well fatisfied alfo.

In this voyage we had our health to admiration ;
and I fhall obferve one thing worthy of my notice.
Some of my loving and good friends in London^ fear
ing a ficknefs in the fhip, as fhe was but fmall, con-
fidering there were fo many fouls on board her,
being ninety-four in number, they, for that and
other reafons, advifed me not to go in her; for they
loved me well, and I took it kindly of them : but I
could not be eafy to take their advice, becaufe I had
been long from my habitation and bufinefs, and which
•was yet more, from my dear and loving wife : and
notwithftanding the vefTel was fo full and crowded,
and alfo feverai of the people taken into the ihipfick
in the river Thames, yet they mended on board the
veffel apace, and were foon all brave and hearty,
being perfectly recovered at fea, and the fhip, through
the providence of the Almighty, brought them all

well

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 75

well to Philadelphia, in the feventh month, 1710:
I think I never was in a more healthy veilel in all my
time, and I thought this peculiar favour worthy to
be recorded by me. We had a very pleafant paflage
up the river Delaware, to our great fatisfaftion, the
Palatines being wonderfully pleafed with the country,
mightily admiring the pleafantnefs and the fertility
of it. Divers of our people went on (hore, and
brought fruit on board, which was the largtft and
fined they had ever ieen, as they faid, viz. apples,
peaches, &c.

I was from my family and habitation in this jour
ney and travel for the fpace of three years, within
a few weeks; in which time, and in my return, I
had fweet peace to my foul, glory to God for ever
more ! I had meetings every day when on land,
except fecondand feventh-days, when in health, and
.nothing extraordinary hindered, and travelled by fea
and land fourteen thoufand three hundred miles,
according to our Englijh account. I was kindly and
tenderly received by my Friends, who longed to fee
me, as I did them, and our meeting was comfortable
and pleafant.

After this long travel and voyage I ftaid at
home, and looked after the little family which God
had given me, and kept duly to meetings, except
fomething extraordinary hindered. Divers people,
when I came home, raifed a falfe report of me, and
faid, I brought home a great deal of money and
goods, that I had got by preaching; which was ut
terly falfe and bafe •, for I brought neither money or
goods, fo much as to the value of five pounds, ex
cept my wearing apparel ; fo much the reverfe, that
I borrowed money at London, to pay for my accom
modations home, the which I faithfully remitted back
.again to my friend that lent it me, to whom I *as

• much obliged for the fame: and if I might have

• gained a hundred pounds per annum, it would not

have

76 THE JOURNAL OF

have tempted me to undertake that, or fuch another
journey. Soon after my return home again, I vifited
a few neighbouring meetings, which were large and
edifying, Friends being glad to fee me again return
ed home from that long journey. And I did, as I
had reafon to do, blefs the holy name of the Lord,
for his many prefervations and deliverances by fea
and land.

After fome flay at Philadelphia, I went down with
my wife and family into Maryland, to a corn-mill
and faw-mill which I had there, in order to live
fome time, and fettle my affairs : and after being
there fome time, my dear wife was taken ill of a fore
difeafe, which fome thought to be an ulcer in the
bladder, and I had her up to Philadelphia, fhe being
carried as far as Chefter in a horfe- litter, where fhe
continued for fome months in much mifery, and
extreme pain, at the houfe of our very kind friends,
David and Grace Lloyd, whofe kindnefs to us in that
fore,, trying, and exercifing time, was great, and is
not to be forgotten by me, while I Jive in this world.
From Ckefter we removed her again in a litter, being
accompanied by our Friends to Philadelphia, where
Ihe continued very ill all that winter, often thinking
that death tarried long, and crying mightily to the
Lord, Oh ! come away, come away ! This was her
cry day and night, until at lafl fhe could fpeak no
more. As we lived together in great love and unity,
being very affectionate one to another; fo being now
left alone I was very folitary,and fometimes forrowful,
and broken into many tears, in the fenfe of my lofs
and lonefomenefs. This my dear wife, was a virtuous
young woman, and one that truly feared God, and
loved his dear Son; from whom fhe had received a
good gift of the miniftry, and was ferviceable to
many therein. I had five children by her, four fons
and one daughter, all which I buried before her, un
der three years old. At the yearly-meeting before fhe

died,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 77

died, fhe was fo wonderfully carried forth in her mini-
ftry, by the divine grace, that divers of her friends
believed fhe was near her end, fhe fignifying fome-
thing to that efFec"l in her teflimony, and that fhe
fhould not live to fee another yearly-meeting: and
fo it came to pafs ; for ihe died before another yearly-
meeting, being aged about thirty-five years, and a
married woman about thirteen years. Her body
was carried to Friends meeting-houfe \n Philadelphia^
and buried in Friends burying-ground, being accom
panied by many hundreds of our Friends, in a folemn
manner: and my heart was greatly broken in con-
fideration of my great lofs ; and being left alone as to
wife and children, I many times deeply mourned,
though I well knew my lofs was her's and their gain !
Here I fhall end the firft part of the Journal of
fome part of my life and travels, omitting many
meetings, and lefler journeys, which I performed :
and the accounts here given, have been moftly gene
ral, not defcending into many particulars j though
the adding fome things might have been inflructive
and agreeable : the whole being intended as a mo
tive to ftir up others to ferve, love, and faithfully
follow, and believe in Chrift.

The END of the FIRST PART.

A JOURNAL

A

JOURNAL

O F T H E

LIFE, LABOURS, TRAVELS, &c

O F

THOMAS CHALKLET.

PART II.

IN O W gave up my time moftly to travelling,
for about the fpace of two years, in which I
vifited the meetings of Friends in the provinces
of Pennfylvania, Eaft and Wejl-JerJey, Maryland y
Virginia^ and North-Carolina, and back again to
Philadelphia, and then to New-Jerfey again: alfo
to Long- I/land, Rhode-Ifland, Conanicut-IJland, Nan-
tucket-IJlandy and New-England, and through thofe
parts on my return to Philadelphia. In thefe pro
vinces, &rc. I travelled fome thoufands of miles, and

had

So THE JOURNAL OF

had many large meetings, fome in places where there
had not been any before, and fome were convinced,
and many would acknowledge to the teftimony of
truth, which was declared by the help and grace of
Chrift ; and many times my heart was, by the affift-
ance of that grace, wonderfully opened to the people.
If I fhould be particular in the account of theiejour-
nies, it would enlarge this part of my journal more
than I am willing.

In Virginia I had a meeting at James's river,
where a prieft of the church of England^ with fome
of his hearers, made fome oppofition (after our
meeting was over) and were for difputing about re
ligion ; and he openly declared, The fpirit was not
his guide, nor rule; and he hoped, never fhould be.
c But/ he faid, c the Scriptures were his rule, and
c that there was no need of any other ; and that they
( were as plain as Gunter's line, or as i, 2, 3.' I
told him, the Scriptures were a good fecondary rule,
and that it were well if men would fquare their lives
according to their directions ; which we, as a people,
exhorted all to : but that the holy Spirit, from which
the holy Scriptures came, mud needs be preferable
to the letter that came from it; and without which
holy Spirit, the letter kills, as faith the apoftle. I
alfo afked him, < How he, or any elie, without the
c light, or influence of the holy Spirit, could under-
c (land the Scriptures, which were parabolically and
c allegorically exprefTed, in many places ?' And fur
ther, to ufe his own expreffion, ' How could any
* underftand Gunter's line, without Gunter's know-
c ledge ? or without they were taught by Gunter^ or
< fome other ?' Neither can we be^the fons of God,
without the Spirit of God. Which he anfwered not,
but went away.

In New-England^ onejofepb Metcalf^ a Prejbyterian
teacher at Falmoutb> wrote a book, intitled, Legal
forcing a Maintenance for a Minifter of the Gofpel,

warrantable

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 81

warrantable from Scripture, &c. Which book a
friend of Sandwich gave me, and defired I would an-
fwerit; which, after finding fome exercife on my
mind, for the caufe of truth, I was willing to un
dertake ; and accordingly wrote an anfwer thereto,
\vhich I called, Forcing a Maintenance, not war
rantable from the holy Scriptures, for a Minifter of
the Gofpel. In which I endeavoured to fet the
texts of Scripture in a true light, which he had
darkened and mifreprefented by his chimerical doc
trines.

In this year 1713, I went from Philadelphia^ in the
Hope galley, John Richmond mafter, for South Caro
lina. We were about a month at fea ; and when it
pleafed God that we arrived at Charles -Town, in
South- Carolina, we had a meeting there, and divers
others afterwards. There are but few Friends in this
province 5 yet I had feveral meetings in the country :
the people were generally loving, and received me
kindly. What I had to declare to them, 1 always
defired to fpeak to the witnefs of God in the foul, and
according to the pure doctrine of truth in the holy
fcriptures ; and there was opennefs in the people in
feveral places. I was feveral times to vifit the go
vernor, who was courteous and civil to me. He faid,
I deferved encouragement, and fpoke to feveral to
be generous, and contribute to my affiftance. He
meant an outward maintenance; for he would have
me encouraged to (lay among them. But I told him,
that though it might be a practice with them to main
tain their minifters, and pay them mooey for preach
ing, it was contrary to our principles to be paid
for preaching, agreeable to the command of our great
Mafter, Chrift Jefus, who faid to his minifters,
<c Freely you have received, freely give :" fo that we
are limited by his words, whatever others are : and
thofe who take a liberty, contrary to his doctrine
and command, I think, muft be Antichrifts, accord-

F ing

82 THE JOURNAL OF

ing to holy Scripture. The longer I ftaid there, the
larger our meetings were; and when I found myfelf
free and clear ;of thofe parts, I took my paflage for
Virginia.'m a Hoop, Henry Bucket mafter. I had a
comfortable and quick paflage to James's river, it
being about two hundred leagues. The mafter of the
veffel told me, That he believed he was bleffed for
my fake. I wifhed him to live fo as that he might be
blefled for Chrift's fake. And fome reformation was
begun on him in our voyage ; which was the good-
nefs of God, through Chrift, to him, and not to be at
tributed to me, any farther than -an inftrument in the
divine hand j for of ourfelves we cannot do any thing
that is good, it being by grace, through faith, that
we are faved, which is God's gift to the foul.

After 1 had been fome tfme in Virginia, I got a
pafiage up the bay of Cbefafeakj and had feveral
meetings in Maryland^ Friends being glad to fee me;
and we were comforted in Chrift our Lord. I made
fome little ftay at a place T had in that province,
called Longbridgei and then returned to PbUadelpbia',
where I lodged at the houfe of my very kind friends
Richard and Hannah Hill -, and was oftentimes at di
vers neighbouring meetings -3 and fomecimes had good
fervice therein.

About this time I had an inclination to alter my
condition of being a widower, to a married ftate 5,
and the moft fuitable p'erfon that I, with fome of my
good friends, could think upon, was Martha, the
v/idow of Jofefh Brown : and on the I5th of the
i^cond month*, 1714, we were joined together in
marriage^ with the unity of Friends in general. We
had a large meeting at our marriage, the folemniza-
tion thereof being attended with the grace and good-
nefs of God ; and, for example-fake, we made but
little provifion for our guefts : for great entertain
ments at marriages and funerals^ began- to be a grow

ing

THOMAS CHALKLEY, 8j

ing thing among us, which was attended with divers
inconveniencies.

My wife was a fober and religious yonng woman,
and of a quiet natural temper and difpofition •, which
is an excellent ornament to the fair fex : and indeed
it is fo both to male and female } for according to the
holy Scriptures, cc A meek and quiet fpirit is with
" the Lord of great price."

The firft child we had I called Abigail (or the fa
ther's joy, as the word fignifies) and while fhe lived^
I had joy and comfort in her, even more than I
could expect, her age confidered ; for Hie lived but
about eighteen months, yet in that time gave fre
quent proofs of an uncommon capacity, and dropped
fuch extraordinary exprefiions, that I have faid to
her mother, c This -child is too ripe 'for heaven to

* live long on earth, therefore let us not fet our

* hearcs upon it.' And I have thought; that in this
child, the faying of Chriit was fulfilled, even in the
letter of it, " Out of the mouths of babes and fuck-
" lings, thou'haft perfected praifr/' Mat, xxi. 16.

I was at divers yearly-meetings in 1715, viz. at
Cb op tank in Maryland-, at Sbre&fltary and Salem in
New-Jerfey\ all which meetings were very large and
comfortable^ many things be" i rig opened therein,
tending to the convincing and eftabli-fhing tile people
in the truth and doctrine of Chrift. I Was likewife
at divers other meetings in thole provinces 3 which
were large and fat is factory;

At Saletn- yearly-meeting I vvas feht for to the pri-
fon, where there was a young woman that was to be
tried for her life'. She defiled that I would pray for
her, and charged me to warn the young people to be
careful not to keep bad company : c For/ laid fhe,
« it has been my ruin,- and brought me -to this fhame

* aad reproach/ 'She had been tenderly brought up
and educated; I knew her when the wore a necklace
of gold' chains, though now-fhe wore iron ones : upori

F 2

84 THE JOURNAL or

which fubject I had afterwards a large opportunity
to fpeak to the people in a very moving manner ;
which feemed to very much affect the youth, and
others in the meeting, which confifted of many
hundreds of people. I faw this young woman
afterwards, the jury acquitting her 5 and I told her,
that her life was given her for a prey ; and reminded
her, how it was with her when (he was in prifon in
chains; and I advifed her to walk more circum-
fpectly for the future ; which fhe faid, fhe hoped fhe
ihould do.

In the year 1716, I had fome concerns jtthich
drew me to the ifland of Bermudas, to which ifland I
went twice that fummer. My family increafing, I
traded a little to fea for their fupport and mainte
nance : and I can truly fay, I carried on my affairs
and bufmefs in the fear of God, having an eye, or
regard therein, more to his glory, than to my own
interefl. We had a rough pafTage to this ifland, in
the firft voyage, and were forced, by diftrefs of
weather, to call fome of our goods into the fea ;
and the florm being very violent, fome of the feamen
thought we ihould be devoured by the waves -, and as
for me, they had fhut me up in the cabin alone, all
In darknefs, and the water came in fo, that they were
forced to take it out in buckets. When the florm
was a little over, the matter came to me, and afked,

* How I did all alone in the dark •/ I told him,

* Pretty well ;' and faid to him, < I was very willing
< to die if it fo pleated God :' and indeed I did expect
no other at that time. After this great florm was over,
we arrived at Bermudas in a few days ; but going into
the harbour, the bottom of the veflel flruck the rocks,
but we got well in ; for which I was thankful to the
Almighty. I flaid on the ifland about a month, and
had feveral meetings, to fome of which, many came
who were not called Friends. They were all fbber,
and fome well fatisfied, and the people of the ifland

generally

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 85

generally received me lovingly, and were very kind to
me. Our ancients, who bore the burden and heat of
the day, met with very different treatment. I ten
derly defire that we who come up after them, may be
truly humble and thankful to the Almighty for all
his mercies !

By reafon of my outward affairs, I had opportu
nities with fome perfons of great note and bufmefs
on this ifland ; and fometimes opened the principle^
of Friends to their fatisfaction ; fome of them told
me, They never underfloodfo much concerning our
Friends before j and if what I faid was true, they had
been mifinformed. Divers fuch opportunities I had
with feveral on this ifland, there being but very few
of our fociety.

Thefe are called the Summer- I/lands y or Bermudas^
there being many little iflands in the midft of the
main ifland, in form like a horfe-fhoe, and are but
two hundred leagues diftance from the capes of De~
laware. It is rare to fee hail, fnow, or ice there.

After I had done my bufmefs, and had been for
fome time on the ifland, I had a ready and comfort
able paffage home, where I was joyfully received.

After ibme little flay at home, I went the fecond
time, that fummer, to Bermudas, and then alfo I
had ibme meetings, and did fome bnfmefs on the
ifland. It was my conftant care, that my worldly
affairs fhould not hinder me in my religious concern
for the good of fouls. It happened at this time there
was a mighty hurricane of wind, fo that it blew
many houfes to the ground, and very many trees
up by the roots, and rent divers rocks afunder, which
1 was an eye-witnefs of: though it is to be ob-
ferved, that thofe rocks in the Summer- Iflands > are
not fo hard as in fome other parts of the world, par*
ticularly to the northward -, for here they faw them
with faws, and cut them with axes like wood. I
tgjcj there were fixty fail of veffels then at thefe
F

g0 THE JOURNAL OF

jflands, and all drove on fhore but three, and our$
was one of the three that rode out the ftorm ; for
which I was truly thankful. In this great ftorm, or
hurricane, feveral {loops, there being no fhips, were
driven -upon dry land, fo that after the ftorm
was over, one might go round them at high water,
and feveral blown off the dry land into the water.
One that was ready to be launched, though fattened
pn the flocks with two cables and anchors, put deep
in the ground, yet the violence of the wind blew her
into the water, and dalhed her all to pieces.

About tli is time the Bermudas people had got a
yaft treafure of filver and gold out of the Spanijh
wrecks; and at a meeting which I had with a pretty
many people on the ftrfl-clay of the week before
the hurricane, or dorm of wind, it came weightily
on my mind- to exhort them. Not to be lifted up
therewith, nor exalted in pride: for I declared to
them, that the fame hand that took it from the Spa
niards, could take it frorq thofe who now had got it
out qf the fea ; and if he pleafed, by the fame way ;
which was a florm that caft away the fliips going for
Spain. And indeed fo it happened the fame weekj
for it was reckoned by men of experience and judg
ment, that they had loft. more by the ftorm, than they
had gained by the wrecks of the Spaniards. A fober
old man, not of our proferTion, told me the next day
after the hurricane \yas over, that what I fpoke in the
meeting was foon come to pals : and he added, I was
a true prophet to them, Many houfes that were -not
blown down were uncovered. My landlord's houfe
being old, feveral thought it would be dowa -, but by
the good providence of God, it was one of them which
ilood. 1 was in my (tore, which. flood alfo ;? though
I expected every minute- when it would have been
blown -down. It w;as by the mercy of God we were
preferved, and not for any merit of ours. I intreat-
ed the Lord in the in id il of this great wind, that he,

wo u lei

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 87

would pleafe to fpare the lives of the people ; for
many of them being feafaring men, were very unfit
to die ; at which time I thought I was fenfible of the
anfwer of my prayer, and he was pleafed to be in-
treated for them : for, notwithftanding the violence
of the ftorm, and the great deftru&ion it made, yec
not one man, woman, or child, nor creature was loft,
that I heard of in all the ifland, which was to me
very admirable. The friend of the houfe came to
me after the ftorm abated, and faid, c The Lord had
c heard my prayers for them/ Although they could
not by any outward knowledge^ know that I had
prayed for them, yet they had a fenfe given them,
that I was concerned for them before the Almighty ;
which indeed was true. Oh ! that we may never
forget the merciful vifitations of that high and lofty
One, who inhabits eternity !

While I was on the ifland, I was invited to^ and
kindly entertained at the houfes of feveral of the
gentry, and at the governor's, who invited me feveral
times to his houfe : and once I was with him, and
fome of his chief officers at dinner, with divers of
the firfb rank, where I was treated very kindly ; and
after dinner the governor's practice was to drink the
king's health, and he hoped I would drink it along
with them. c Yes,' faid the reft at the table, c Mr.

* Cbalkley,' as they called me, c will furely drink the
€ king's health with us,' So they pafled the glals,
with the king's health, until it carne to me j and when
it came to me, they all looked ftedfaftly at me, to fee
what I would do, and I looked as ftedfaftly to the
Almighty, and I faid to them, ( 1 love king George,
c and wifh him as well as any fubject he hath ; and ic
c is known to thoufands that we pray for him in our
c meetings and afihnblies for the worfhip of Almigh-
c ty God: but as to drinking healths, either the
( king's, or any man's elfe, it isagainft my profeffcd

* principle* I looking on it to be a vain idle cuftom/

f.4 They

8$ THE JOURNAL OF

They replied, c That they wiflied the king had more
c fuch fubje&s as I was ; for I had profefled a hearty

* refpect for him ;' and the governor and they were
all very kind and friendly to me all the time I was
on the ifland.

After I had finifhed my concerns, I embarked in
the floop Dove, for Philadelphia, fhe being configned
to me in the former and this voyage. It being often
calm and fmall winds, our provifions grew very fcan-
ty. We were about twelve perfons in the vefiel, fmall
and great, and but one piece of beef left in the barrel;
and for feveraj days, the winds being contrary, the
people began to murmur, and told difmal flories
about people eating one another for want of provi
fions ; and the wind being (till againft us, and, for
ought we could fee, like to continue, they murrnured
more and more, and at laft, againft me in particular,
becaufe the veflel and cargo was configned to me,
and was under my care, fo that my inward exercife
was great about it ; for neither myfelf, nor any in the
veflel, did imagine that we Ihould be half fo long as
\ve were on the voyage : but fince it was fo, I ferioufly
confidered the matter; and to ftop their murmuring,
I told them they Ihould not need to cad lots, which
was ufual in fuch cafes, which of us fhould die firft,
for I would freely offer up my life to do them good.
One faid, * Godblefsyou, I will not eat any of you/
Another faid, * He would die before he would eat any

* of me \ and fo faid feveral, I can truly fay, on that
occafion, at that time, my life was not dear to me,
and that I was ferious and ingenuous in my propofi-
tion ; and as I was leaning over the fide of the veifel,
thoughtfully confidering my propofal to the com
pany, and looking in my mind to him that made me,
a very large dolphin came up towards the top or fur-
face of the water, and looked me in the face ; and I
called to the people to put a hook into the fea and
take him, for here is 0ne come to redeem me^ faid I

tQ

THOMAS CHALKLEY. Jj

to them ; and they put a hook into the Tea, and the
fifh readily took it, and they caught him. He was
longer than myfelf ; I think he was about fix feet
long, and the largeft that ever I faw, This plainly
Ihewed us that we ought not to diftruft the provi
dence of the Almighty, The people were quieted by
this act of Providence, and murmured no more. We
caught enough to eat plentifully of until we got into
the Capes of Delaware. Thus I faw it was good to
depend upon the Almighty, and rely upon his eternal
arm ; which, in a particular manner, did preferveus
fafe to our cjefired port, blefled be his great and glo
rious name, through Chrift for ever !

I now ftaid at and about home for fome time;
after which I was concerned to vifit Friends in feveral
places, and in the adjacent provinces, as Maryland*
New-Jcrfey, &c. and was at many marriages and fu
nerals, at which, many times, we had good oppor
tunities to open the way, and alfo the neceflity to be
married to Chrift Jefns, the great bridegroom of the
foul ; and alfo to exhort the people to confider and
prepare for their latter end and final change ; which,
many times was fandtified to divers fouls, and the
Lord's name was glorified, who is worthy thereof.

In the year 1717, I went into Maryland, to look
after my affairs in that province, and as I travelled, I
had divers meetings at Nottinghamy and at Bufh-River%
about which time, at BuJh-River^ feveral were con
vinced. The meeting I found in a growing condition
in that which is good, feveral perfons meeting toge
ther in filence to worfhip God, according to Chrift's
inftitution, which was, and is, and ever will be, irt
fpirit and in truth : and for the encouragement of
all fuch, Chrift hath faid, « That fuch the Father
f feeketh to worfhip him :" and again, " Where
<c two or three are met together in my name, there
fc am I in the midft of them." And if Chrift be in
midft;, there is no ^bfolute rieecl of vocal teach-

90 THE JOURNAL OF

ing, except it be the will of the Lord to call any to
it. Let the fpiritual Chriftian read and judge.

After my return, I had feyeral meetings in the
country near Philadelphia; and about the latter end
of the eighth month, I was at divers marriages, one
of which was on the third-day of the week, about
fifteen miles above Philadelphia^ over Delaware river.
.The next was over the river again, about twenty
miles below the city : the third was about twenty
miles further down the river, and on the oppofite
fide at Salem, on the following days ; fo that I crof-
fed Delaware river three times in three days, and
rode about one hundred miles. The meetings were
all large, and matter fuitable to the occafion freely
opened to the people. Thefe remarks are not intend
ed to let up man, or exalt flefh, but to ftir up others
to come up to the work of Chrift in their generation :
all the glory and godlinefs of man is but as the grafs,
which foon withers, without we dwell in the root of
true religion, and holy life of Chrift; and, that God
may have the glory of all his works, is the end of
all the labours and travels of the fervants and faith
ful minifters of Chrift.

In the tenth month, .1717, divers cqnfiderations
moving me thereto, I took a. voyage to Barbadoes>
in the Snow Hofey J. Curtis matter, and from
thence to Great-Britain and London ; partly on ac
count of bufinefs, and hoping once more, if it pleaf-
ed God, to fee my aged father, my brother, rela
tions, and friends j which voyage I undertook in the
iblid fear of God. I defired the concurrence of my
wife, and my friends and brethren of the meeting to
which I did belong, in this undertaking, the which I
had in a. general way, and the good wifhes and pray
ers of many particulars,, with a certificate from our
monthly-meeting, fignifying their unity with my
converfation and miniftry, and prefent undertaking;
smd felt the love and eroodnefs of God therein, but

'T

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 91-

in many refpects it was a great crofs to me, as the
leaving my beloved wife and children, and many of
my dear friends, whom I loved well in Chrift : and
the cro fling of the feas always was troublefome to me,
being fickly at fea, efpecially in windy or ftormy wea
ther ; and the confinement was worfe to me for the
time than a prifon -, for it would be much eafier to
me to be in prifon on land, upon a good account, than
in prifon at fea, I always looking on a.fliip to be ape-
rilous prifon, though my lot was to be much therein ;
and as for my natural life, I always gave it up when
ever I went to fea -, and 1 thought that was the:leaft
part of the hardfhip, never putting, much value
thereon; and I think I had rather die at any time,
t;han go to fea, it. being fo contrary to my nature and
clifpofition, as well as inclination : but to lea I went,
for the reafons mentioned, and got from Philadel
phia to Newcafile the firft night, in the laid vefTel, and
to Elfingburgh next day, where we lay for a fair -wind
about two days •, and when the wind was fair, we
failed to Bombay-hook, where we met with two other
vefiels bound out to fea, who waited alfq for the
wind. We lay there two nights, and then on the
iirft-day morning fet fail, the weather being bitter
cold, and the ice very thick on the fides of our verTel,
and on our ropes. The fame day that we left Bom
bay-hook,, we got out to fea, took in our boat, and
\vent on our way ; and in four or five days we got
into warmer weather.

In this voyage I wrote fomething on the Common-
prayer, ufed by fome of the church of England, w.hofe
converfation§ were very looie and corrupt,; which I
entitled, One truly tender Scruple of Conference,
about that Form of Prayer called the Common-
Prayer, as ufed by .the Church of England, and her
Members, &c.

. In this our voyage we favv feveral fh.ips, but fpoke
\vith none j and m twenty- ieven days from our capes,

9* THE JOURNAL OF

we arrived at Barbadoes, and came to an anchor in
Carlifle-Bay.

I had been twice in BartaJ&fbefort, but this was
the quickeft paflage by one day. Here I was loving
ly and tenderly received by my friends. I took my
good friend Jofefb Gamble's houfe for my quar
ters, moft of the time whilft I ftaid on the ifland ;
and I vifited Friends meetings feveral times over,
there being five of Friends meeting-houfes in the
ifland, and our meetings were fometimes large and
open.

Our ftay was longer here than we at firft expected,
by reafon of a great drought, they having no rain
for more than a quarter of a year, which was a great
hindrance to trade on the ifland. While I was this
time in Barbadoes> our ancient Friend George Gray
died. I was at his funeral, at which there were many
people ; and on this occafion we had a large meet
ing at our meeting-houfe at Speights-Town* where I
had a feafonable opportunity with the people, open
ing to them the neceflity of preparing for, and think
ing of their latter end; and prefied them earneftly
thereto. They were generally attentive and fober,
and fome were broken into tendernefs. While we
were burying the Friend, there appeared a difmal
cloud hanging over the ifland, fuch an one as J never
faw before : it was to my thinking, of the colour of
the flame of brimftone, and 1 expected there would
have been a great ftorm, or fome mighty guft, and
rnuch rain, they having had very little for many
weeks, or fome months -, but it went over, and
there was no rain, nor wind, as I remember. Soon
after fome people came in from lea, and they faid,
that from that cloud it rained afhes ; and they
brought fome of the fame to the ifland, fome of which
afhes I have now before me : the tafte of them
feems to me to be a little fulphurous, and have fome
glittering particles in them, in colour and fmell J

*ff %r * i • t

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 95

think they differed little from common afhes. Here
in the Almighty and Infinite Being fignally fhewed
his mercy and favour to poor mortals ; for had not
his mercy prevented, he could as eafily have rained
down the fire as the afhes, who rained down fire and
brimftone on the cities and inhabitants of Sodom
and Gomorrah^ for their pride and idlenefs, much of
which abounds among the inhabitants of Barbadoes, the
people being very luxurious. Oh ! may the luxurious
inhabitants of that ifle, as alfo all others, confider their
ways and doings, and not provoke the great Lord,
the Sovereign of heaven and earth, as many of them
do by their evil lives, and voluptuous converfations ;
and that they would kifs the Son, though not with a
Judas's kifs of profeflion, or fpeaking well or fair of
him only, but with divine love manifefted through
obedience, while his wrath is but a little kindled
againft them, before it brake out into a flame.

After this funeral I was lent for to Bridge-Town, to
the burial of a mafter of a fhip, a young man, who
was very frefh and well a few days before. There
was a great appearance of people, and I was pretty
largely opened in the meeting, on the words of the
prophet, where he fays, " All flefh is grafs, and all the
" goodlinefs thereof, is as the flower of the field,
•c The grafs. withereth, the flower fadeth, becaufe the
** fpirit of the Lord bloweth upon it : furely the
" people is grafs. The grafs withereth, the flower
" fadeth ; but the word of our God fhall iland for
" ever," Ifaiah xl, 6, 7, 8. And I treated of this
word, its wonderfulnefs, its duration, and its work
in man : as alfo of the fading conftitution of mortal
man, though young and ftrong, as that young man
was a few days before, whofe corpfe was then before
us.

I was at divers other burials on this ifland, which
indeed doth prove a grave to many new-comers, it
feeing a hot climate, makes thofe who are not accui-

toiiaed

94 THE J O U R N A L OF

tomed to it, very thirfly, and by reafon of the ex
treme heat, it is not eafy to quench their thirft; fd
that what is called moderate drinking, throws many
flrangers into a violent fever, and oftentimes is the
caufe of their death. I note this as a caution to any
-who may tranfport themfelves there, that may fee
this, that 'they may fliun that danger, which might
be avoided by drinking cool drinks, of which they
have many forts very pleafant/viz. cane, fugar-reed
and white forrel, pine, orange, and divers others :
and I advife fuch, as they love their health, to re
frain from drinking much hot drinks orfpirits. •

I faw feveral curiofities in nature in- this ifland,
which among the great numbers of the works of
God, do (hew forth his praife and glory. One to
the leeward part of the ifland, which is called the
fpout, fends up a vail body of water into the air,
occafioned by a great cavity in the rocks under the
water, which may be fee ft in calm weather, when
the fea is low; but when the wind blows, a great
body of water being pent in a large hollow place, it
forces it up into the air, fometimes ten, fifteen, and
twenty yards high, according as the llrength of the
wind is more or leis, and makes a report like a cari-^
non or thunder a great way off. I believe I have
feen it ten or twelve miles out at fea. I was alfo at a
place called Oliver's cave, which we got to with fome
difficulty, in going down the fteep and craggy rocks.
There is on the outward part next the fea, a very
large vaulted place, in the form of a half circle,-
about one hundred feet high-, as near as I could guefs.
In this large vault, behind a rock, is the mouth of
the cave, not the height of a man at the fir ft en
trance ; after one is in a few yards, one may walk
upright comfortably, the bottom being pretty plain
and fmooth for about' a hundred yards, and then we
came into a large cave which is formed -arch-wife, and
about ten or fifteen yards high, as we thought, being

»
much

THOMAS CHALKLEY, 95

much higher in the middle than the fides, but almoft
as regular as if it had been done by art, which we be
held with admiration, by the help of wax candles,
and other lights, that we made and carried for that
purpofe.

When I had done my bufinefs mBarbadoeSyhwing
been about thirteen weeks there, our vefTel being
loaded, we failed from thence the lothof the feconcf
month, 1718, for 'London. We had a good pafTage,
being five weeks and two days from Earbadoes to
Great-Britain^ in which we faw divers veflels at fea,
but fpoke with none ; and after fight of the land, we
got in two days to Beachy-Head, which is about fif
teen leagues from the Downs or Deal. We failed
along the (bore by Folkftone, where we took in a pi
lot, and had a comfortable pafTage through the
Downs, and up the river of Thames to London , where
I met with my dear and aged father, and loving bro
ther, fifter, and coufins, and many other of my near
and dear relations and friends.

In this voyage I wrote fome things which opened
in my mind at fea, upon that excellent fermon of
Chrift's' upon 'the mount, as it is recorded in the holy
Scriptures of the Ne\V Teftament, in the vtft, vith,
and'viith chapters of the Evangeiiil 'Matthew,- but
have fince heard that the fame is much better done by
an abler hand; and therefore it may Tuffice here to
give the advice, which in the courfe of my travels
I have often had occafion to do,: that the profetTors
of Chriftianity Ihould frequeritly read this fermon,and
be careful to pradtife the fame; that they may not
only be Chriftians in name, but in deed, andiri truth.

After vifiting my relations, and Tome meetings of
our Friends in and about London, and having finilh-
ed my' bufinefs, being ready to return homeward,
divers Friends accompanied us ''from London to Grave/-
end\ and the wind not being'faFr, 'we went to Ro-
cbeftcr, and had a meeting there 3 and then back 10

Grave/end

$6 THE JOURNAL o>

Gravtfend, and there took a folemn farewell of our
friends, recommending one another to the grace of
Chriftj having this time made but little flay in
Britain.

In the fifth month, 1718, we failed from the
Downs in the aforefaid Snow Hope, divers Friends, viz.
John Danfon, IJaac Hadwin, John Oxley, Lydia Lan-
cafter, Elizabeth Rawlinfon, and Rebecca 'Turner, being
in company with us : after about nine weeks paiTage
from land to land, having had meetings on firfl-
days and fifth-days, on board all the voyage, we
came ail fafe and well to Philadelphia^ through the
blefiing of God, where I {laid with my family a few
months, arid then took another voyage for Barbadoes
and Britain. I was under fome concern more than
ordinary, as to the fupport and well-being, or ac
commodation of my family, the circumftances there
of being a little changed by the increafe of children,
remembering the words of the apoftle, cc That thofe
<c who had not that care and concern, were worfe
<c than infidels ;" rny Lord Jefus, whofe fervant I pro-
fefs myfelf to be, alfo faying, " It is better to give
<c than receive i" wherefore, an opportunity offering
of the confignment of a veflel and cargo (the Snow
Hope, Warner Holt m after) to Barbadoes, and from
thence to London, and ib to make returns home again
for Philadelphia, I embraced it, though with reluct
ance, to leave my very loving wife, children and
friends, all whom I tenderly loved and refpecled.
I alfo had in my eye an hope, through the blefllng of
God, to obtain wherewith to accommodate my
friends, who were flrangers and pilgrims in this world
for Jefus fake, as I alfo had been myfelf; and that
they might find a place or home, and refrefhment
under my roof; not to excefs, but to comfort and
edification ; which in fincerity, is all the grandeur
I covet or defire in this world : fo after due confide-
fation, on the 2d day of the eleventh month, 1718,

we

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 97

we fet fail from Philadelphia, many friends taking
their leaves and farewell of us for that voyage. Thus
with hearts full of love and good-will, we parted
with our friends, and went down the river about five
miles, where we run aground, but got off next tide,
and next day carne to an anchor at Chefler. On the
4th day of the month we fet fail, and got to New-
caftle about the eleventh hour ; it being meeting-
day, we went to meeting, where our great Lord
was pleafed infomegood meafure to OWH us with his
living prefence, and comfort us with his love; blef-
fed be his holy name ! In the morning we failed to
Reedy-IJland9 where we ftaid for the tide, and in the
night our cable parted, which we knew not of till the
morning, and then we had gone from the place where
we anchored, about a league : but though the veflel
drove about the river, yet fhe did not go on ground.
We dropped our other anchor, and fent the boat to
feek for that which was parted from us, but could not
find it until the next tide, and then could not get it
up, and were unwilling to go to fea without it ; which
occafioned us to flay feveral tides before we could get
it : at laft with much difficulty we weighed it, our
mens clothes being much frozen ; for it was very cold,
and froze extremely hard. After this we went down
to Bombay-hooky where was alfo another veffel going
out to fea. Next day the wind was againft us, and
itfnowedmuch and freezed hard -, and that night the
river and bay was filled with ice as far as we could
fee, and it drove very hard againft our veffel, fo that
we wifhed for day; for we thought fometimes it
would have torn our bows in pieces ; but our anchot
and cable held us, we thought, to a miracle, for
which we were thankful to the great keeper of all
thole who put their truft in him. When the tide
turned for us we got up the anchor, and fo let her
drive with the ice down the bay ; the other veffd did
the fame. It was now dangerous moving, go which

G way

98 .THE JOURNAL OF

way we would. The verTel in company with us at
tempted to go back again, but feeing that we did
not, as we fuppofed, came to an anchor again, and
we both went down the bay together; and "the wind
fpringing up fair, we got clear of the ice in a few
hours time; but by this hindrance we could not
get to fea that day, but were obliged to come to
anchor near the middle of the great bay of Delaware,
and the night being fair and calm, we rode it out
fafely, which if it had been windy weather, would
have been dangerous. Early in the morning, of the
9th day of the month, we got to fea, and ibon left
fight of the land. Next day the wind was high, and
the weather proved ftormy for feveral days, info-
much that our main-deck was under water moft of
the time, fo that we were forced to go before it for
feveral days together. We alfo fhut up our cabin
windows, and were tolled exceedingly, and I was very
fea-fick •, and we began in this ftorm to fear falling on
the rocks of Bermudas, which we were near, as we
imagined, and the wind fet right on the ifland. But
when we had pafTed the latitude of Bermudas, we met
with fair weather and winds, all the remaining part
of our paiTage being pleatant and comfortable, by
which I was led to confider the viciflitude which
mortals may expect while on this unftable terraqueous
globe, which is full of changes ; and 1 ftrongly de-
fired to be rightly prepared for that world which is
eternal, and its joy and felicity permanent; at which
blerTed port; I hope in God's time, through his grace,
fafely to arrive. Thus through ftorms, tempefts, ice,
and fnow, we left thofe frozen climes, and crofTed
the tropick. of Cancer, between which, and that of
Capricorn, there is neither froft nor fnow at fea, at
any time of the year, and the wind always within
a (mall matter one way, viz. eaflerly, except in
hurricanes 'and Violent ftorms, which foinetimcs they
have in thole parts of the world. Vve arrived at

Bridge-

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 99

Bridge-Town, in Barbadoes, in one and twenty days,
which was the quickeft paflage that ever I had, this
being the fourth time of my coming hither, where I
was always kindly received by my friends.

About this time war was declared againfl Spain
by the king of Great-Britain, by proclamation in
Bridge-Town, which put fuch a damp on trade, that
there was little bufmefs, and the markets low and
dull, which made my flay longer than I would have
chofe ; but my friends, among whom I had many
opportunities, feemed rather pleafed than otherwife ;
telling me, c That they did not care if I was to flay
c there always, if it were my place :' and when I left
Barbadoes, Friends gave me better credentials than I

thought I deferved. A friend of mine giving

me intelligence that the market was better at Antigua
than at Barbadoes, I difpatched my affairs, and took
part of our cargo there, and was kindly received by
our friends. We were about three days in our paf-
fage, and had fine weather therein. At Antigua 1 had
divers meetings, my bufmefs at no time hindered me
in my more weighty fervice -, for I always, through
divine help, made that give way to my religious
duty, in which I ever found peace and inward fatis-
fadtion. In about five weeks I finifhed my bufmefs
in this ifland, having no fmall fatisfadlion in coming
to it ; and our vefTel being now loaden, we took our
folemn leave, and with the good wi flies of many,
departed for England.

Our friends there fignified to their brethren, that
they were glad of my company, and that I was fer-
viceable to them, though I came upon bufmefs. My
hand, when need required, was to my bufmefs, but
my heart was, and I hope is, and ever fhall be,
freely given up to ferve the Lord, in that work
whereunto I believe he has called me. We have
liberty from God, and his dear Son, lawfully, and
for accommodation's fake, to work or feek for

G 2

TOO

THE JOURNAL OF

food or raiment ; though that ought to be a work
of indifferency, compared to the great work of fal-
vation. Our Saviour faith, " Labour not for the
ct meat which perifheth, but for that which endureth
" for ever, or to eternal life :" by which we do not
underftand, that Chriftians muft neglect their necef-
fary occafions, and their outward trades and callings ;
but that their chief labour, and greateft concern
ought to be for their future well-being in his glori
ous kingdom ; elfe why did our Lord fay to his dif-
ciples, " Children, have you any meat ?" they an-
fwered, <c No •/' and he bid them caft their nets into
the fea, and they drew to land a net full of great
fifties; and fifhing being their trade, no doubt but
•they fold them, for it was not likely they could eat
them all themfelves. Alfo the apoftle of Chrift fays,
«c He that doth not take care of his family, is worfe
*c than an infidel j" and the apoftle Paul, the great
apoftle of the Gentiles^ wrought with his hands, even
while he was in his travels, and in the work of the
gofpel ; and others tailed of the benefit of his labour
naturally, as well as fpiritually. It is alfo written,
«c That he that will not work fhall not eat/* By
this, and much more, which might be noted, it ap
pears that we not only have liberty to labour in mo
deration, but we are given to underfland, that it is
our duty fo to do. The farmer, the tradefman, and
the merchant, do not underftand by our Lord's doc
trine, that they muft neglecl; their calling, or grow
idle in their bufmefs, but muft certainly work, and
be induftrious in their callings. We all ought to
underftand, that our hearts and minds ought to be
out of the world, or above the nature and fpirit of it.
It is good and profitable for both foul and body,
rightly to diftinguifh between earthly and heavenly
things, and to be careful how they mix the one with
the other ; for it is an eternal truth, that God and
mammon cannot dwell together, or join together in

the

THOMAS OHALKLEY. 101

.the heart. If our love is more to God than the crea
ture, or to heaven than earth, then will he dwell in
us and with us : but if our love is more to the crea
ture than to Chrift, or to earth than heaven, then will
he not dwell with us, but will leave us to ourfelves;
for the Lord Omnipotent will not admit of any
rival.

On the nth of the fourth month, 1719, we left
Antigua, flood cloie to the wind till we again crofted
the Trcpick, and got into thofe latitudes where the
winds are variable. Sailing in the great deeps we
faw the wonders of the Lord, particularly in divers
kinds of fifh, they living upon one another in thefea,
the great fifhes on the fatal! ones ; and mankind too
much rdembles them in that refpect. About the
latitude of 33 north, our matter, Warner Holt, fee
ing a ilioal of porpoifes about the {hip, though he was
not very well, and had not been for moft of the voyage,
he took his harping-iron, and flruck one of them,
and we took him into the vefTel, out of which we got
eleven quart bottles of oil; and we mod of us eat
heartily of this fifli, which agreed with our people
very well. They fried his liver for our mefs, of
which I eat a large meal, which was well tafted, and
cat more like frefh beef than fifh. I make this me
morandum of it, that if any fhould take them when
their proviflons are fcarce, they may eat freely with
out danger, according to our experience. When we
had been at fea about three weeks, being near the
latitude of 40 north, and about the longitude of
42, though k was in the midft of fummer, we faw an
ifland of ice, at which we all marvelled, and judged
that there had been a fevere cold winter in thofe la
titudes on the land of America. When we faw this
ifland of ice we judged ourfelves not far from the
Banks of Newfoundland. Hitherto we had eafy gales
of wind, and many calms, which made our pailiige
fcem long to us. We faw two fail of Ihips about

G 3 thofe

102 THE J O U RPN A L OF

thofe latitudes, but fpoke with neither, being willing
to fhun them as it was war time.

We had in this voyage weekly meetings for wor-
fhipping the Almighty, in which the great Lord, both
of fea and land, was pleafed greatly to rnanifeft his
name and truth amongft us, for which my foul
often fecretly and openly blefled and praifed his di
vine and glorious name and truth •, for he bore up my
drooping fpirits, fo that I could truly fay with the
royal Pfalmift, not. becaufe he fpoke it only, but alfo
being an experimental witnefs thereof, " The floods
cc have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up
<c their voice : the floods lift up their waves. The
<c Lord on high is mightier than the noife of many
?c waters, yea, than the mighty- waves of the fea."
Pfalm xciii. 3, 4. This the king wrote of his own
experience in a fpiritual fenfe -, but I may fay with
out boafting, I have witnefled the rage and noife of
mighty waves and waters, both natural and fpiritual ;
the one, as though it would fwallow up my reputa
tion among men, and the other, as though it would
fwallow up my perfon, in this mv watery peregrina
tion : but blefled be the name of him that is holy and
eternal, who indeed is ftronger than the noife of many
waters, or than the mighty waves of the fea, either
inwardly or outwardly, I will through his ftrength,
magnify his name, becaufe he is worthy : and may
I do it for ever !

About the nth day of the fifth month, we faw
great flocks of birds, which we judged came from
the Azores , or We ftern- I/lands > near which we reckr
oned ourfelves to be. The 21 ft day we faw, and
came up with a French fhip, which had been fifhing
on the banks of Newfoundland^ and was bound for
Havre de Grace in France, the matter of which came
on board us, and our captain went on board them.
We exchanged fome rums and fugars, of our fea
ft ores, for their French wine and cyder, and fome of

our

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 103

our provifions for fotne of their fifh. The captain
was a Proteftant, and very courteous to us : the re
gent of France at this time being kind to the Prote-
JlantS) fo that they increafed much in that kingdom.
The Frenchman feeming defirous to know what reli
gion I was of, I told him by an interpreter, that I
was one called a Quaker, or Trembler, and that our
principle was to do good to all men, and not to hurc
any man, according to Chrift's do&rine, "«' Not to
<c render evil for evil, but to overcome evil with
4C good." When they went away and took leave of
us, they deiired me to pray for them, the which I re
membered with tendernefs of fpirit, and having but
little wind, we kept company for feveral days; but
the wind fpringing fair, we wifhed them well, and
went on our way, our veflel otitfailing mod we met
with ; and a few days after we met with a New-Eng
land (hip, who came out fix days before us from An
tigua. We were then in the latitude of about 50
north, and 29! degrees of longitude from the Land's-
End of Great-Britain. The 3Oth day of the fifth
month, we founded, and found ground at 28 fathom,
and on the ift of the fixth month, we law the Land's-
End of England^ all our company being in health, and
well j for which my heart was truly thankful to that
great and infinite being, whofe providence is over us
poor mortals in all parts of the world, and who reigns
over fea and land, and is worthy of adoration, wor-
fhip, fervice, and living praife for ever 1

In a few days we came into the Engliflj channel,
and going up the channel there came one of the king's
yachts, and they preffed mod of our men ; the beft
hands we had they took from us, and carried diem
on board a man of war, after which we came to
anchor at Folk/tone* where I lefc the veflel, and got a
horfe to Dover , and from Dover took coach to London.
In the coach were divers perfons who began to -talk
about the Quakers, and fpoke againft their plain way

G 4 of

104 THE J O U R N A L or

of living and clothing, and faid, < That they did
c not underftand their unfafhionable way of convcr-
* fation •, neither was it the way to gain profelytes,'
Upon which I afked them, ' Whether they underftood
f Paul, the great apoftle of the Gentiles ?' who faid,
cc Be ye not comformable to the world/' (i. e. the
fafhions of it) for this great reaibn, the world, and
the fafhions thereof, paffcth away ; which is a great
truth, and it is plainly feen how fickle and change
able the world is in its vain fafhions and cuftoms,
•which, to follow, in all its foolifh cuts and turns, or
changes, muft, of confequence, make a man or wo
man very foppiih and apilh. I told them, that our
religion was agreeable to the holy Scriptures, which,
if they did not underftand, neither could they under
ftand us; for the doctrine of Chrift and his apoftles,
was generally therein very plain 3 and the doclrine
in Chrift's excellent Sermon on the Mount, is clear
and plain to very low or mean capacities : fo they
difcoivrfed no more of religion till we came to Lon
don, where once more I met with my loving and
aged father, a man fearing God, and having a gift of
the miniftry of the gofpel of Chrift, and well-beloved
of his friends and neighbours, who, with others of
my near and dear relations and friends, received me
gladly.

After fome months ftay among my relations and
frknds in London, we fold our vefiel the fnow Hope,
and bought another fhip, which we called the Trine-
Hofe, Warntr Holt mafter, and when I had done my
bulinefs, I failed in the fame fhip for Pennfylvania.
We had meetings on board the veflel twice a week,
in which the Almighty waspleafed to favour us with
his good prefence. Sobriety, and the fear of God,
and faith in his beloved Son Chrift, was often recom
mended to the youth then on board the veflel with
us, of whom there were divers, who tranfported thenv
felves to America, in order to fettle there. At oae

meeting

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 105

meeting on board I was tenderly concerned to remind
them of Jacob, who in his youch left his country
and relations to fojourn in a ftrange land, and how
in that undertaking, he fought the Lord, and his
blefling, more than any outward thing; and that
he was greatly blefled with many favours from hea
ven above, and alfo from the earth beneath, and they
Were advifed to take him for their example : and
many other things were tenderly opened to them in
the love of God, and in his fear and couniel they
were exhorted from time to time.

It being winter time we failed to the fouthvvard,
and got into warm weather, and were on our pafTage
feven weeks and fome odd days from land to land,
in which time we faw feveral vefTels, and fpoke with
one, whole people faid they were chafed by a Turk,
but got from him, at which they greatly rejoiced.
We apprehended it was our fhip that they faw over
night, for we faw a fail that crouded from us as fad
as Ihe could, and it being near night, we fliortened
fail, and fo (he left us; but in the morning came up
with her, and being pretty near, both they and we
put out our colours, and being both Enghjhmen, we
fpoke to each other, and were glad to meet with fome
of our own nation upon the great ocean; but our
veflel failing beft, we took our leave of them, wifh-
ing them a good voyage. We met with rough feas
and high winds in the latter part of our paflage, till
we came to the capes of Delaware, which we all re
joiced to fee, and we had a pleafant pafTage up the
bay and river to Philadelphia, where I had once
more a comfortable meeting with my dear wife and
family, which I gratefully acknowledged as a high
favour from the hand of the Almighty.

We arrived at Philadelphia the i(t of the fecond
month, 1720; after which I ftaid at, and about
home for fome time, and I was not idle, but kept
tt> my bufineiSj and to meetings, and having a defire

to

io6

THE JOURNAL OF

to fee my friends in the province of Maryland, at
their general meeting at Weft-River, \ was accompa
nied by Ifaac Norris and Thomas Mafters, both fober
young men. It had been a time of pretty much
rain, and the waters thereby being out and high,
going over a ford at Brandy-wine* my mare got
among the rocks, it being a very rocky creek, (he
fell down, and the ftream being very ftrong, fhe
rowled upon me, and being intangled with the ftir-
rup, I could not eafily clear myielf, but I gave a
fpring from her, and fwam to clear myfelf from her;
and when I was clear, I got to her again, and laid
hold of her mane, and through the good Providence
of God, got well out with the mare on dry land,
which was a remarkable deliverance. In three days
we got to Weft- River * to the yearly- meeting, which
was large, and Friends were glad to fee me, I having
not been there for feveral years. I was out on this
journey about two weeks, and rode about 300 miles;
and after my coming home, I travelled pretty much
in and about the provinces of Pennfylvania and New-
Jerjey.

In the year 1721, Thomas Light foot and I, with
William Browne, went to a meeting at Bujh- River >
and going over Sufquehannah-Ferry, the people were
fiddling and dancing. When their dance was over, I
afked them, believing them to be Proteftants, e If they
* thought Luther to be a good man ?' they replied,
c Yes, there was no doubt of it. '6 Well,' faid I, c and
c fo do I ; and I will tell you what he fays concern-
€ ing dancing, That as many paces as the man takes
c in his dance, fo many fteps he takes towards hell ;'
which fpoiled their fport, and they went away, and
we went on ours towards the meeting; and a good
meeting it was ! and we after it returned by way of
Nottingham, and had a meeting there, and one at
New-Garden, and fo on to Philadelphia. I was from

home

THOMAS CHALKLEY. icy

home about a week, and travelled in this journey
.about 150 miles, and was well fatish'ed therein.

In the years 1721 and 1722, I went feveral jour-
nies, and had many large meetings, travelling many
hundreds of miles, of which I negledred to keep a
particular account, hardly thinking what I did worth
recording •, but divers of my friends in many parts of
the world, put me upon fomething of this nature, to
which, at length, I gave up, and found forne benefit
and fatisfaftion therein, in looking back and con-
fidering the dealings of God with me in my youth,
and upwards.

From Philadelphia I went to the general- meeting
at Shrew/bury, in Eaft-Jerfey, where I heard of J. G/s
being wounded by a young man, with a fword, of
which he died, lamenting that he did not take the
counfel of his friends; as young men, who flight
the counfel of thole that wifh them well, commonly
do, either fooner or later, if the day of their vifita-
tion be not over. Some few days after this meeting
at Shrew/bury^ I vifited Friends on Long I/land, and
returned home again, having travelled about 300
miles. In my ftay at, and about home, I wrote
fomething concerning perfection, in anfwer to a
namelefs author; as alfo fomething concerning pre-
deftination, or election and reprobation.

In the year 1722, I went back in the woods to
Buckingham, the Great Swamp, Perkiomy, Man ah a-
tawny, and Oley, where I had meetings, travelling
over great mountains, from which we could fee many
miles. I travelled in this journey about 150 miles,
and returned home in about two weeks ; and after
{laying fome time at home, and vifiting neighbour
ing meetings, I went to the yearly-meeting of Friends
on Long-IJiand, which meeting was very large, many
people, not of our perfuafion being there, and were
very fober. Many things were opened in the love
,pf Chrift, and his great love was declared to that

great

THE JOURNAL OF

great congregation. The parable concerning the
Prodigal Son, came before me to fpeak of to the peo
ple in a very moving manner, and flrongly to invite
the youth to lay hold of the love of the Father in his
Son, to poor fouls: and indeed it is a wonderful
parable, fetting forth the infinite love of the great
Lord of all to his poor creatures. Many were affecl:-
ed and reached to at this meeting, and the Almighty
was praifed and glorified, who alone is worthy.

From thence I went and had a meeting at New-
York, and then fet forward to Woodbridge, where we
had a comfortable meeting ; Naaman, the AJJjrian,
being much the fubject of that day's work : and
that one thing loved and efteemed more than Chrift,
whatever it be, is to be avoided, and the people
warned to be careful to keep dole to the God of
JJrael, fpiritual JJrael > and to give up all, which is
contrary to his nature, and to take up ChrifVs crofs,
and follow him : for it is thole who follow him in
the regene'ration, that are to be heirs of his kingdom.

In this year alfo I was at the burial of our Friend,
'Jonathan Dickinfon, at which we had a very large
meeting; he was a man generally well beloved by his
friends and neighbours. In this meeting a pafTage,
he had often told me in his health, was brought to
my remembrance, I think worthy to be recorded
to the end of time, which is as follows : c It hap-

* pened at Port- Royal, in Jamaica, that two young
c men were at dinner with Jonathan, and divers

* other people of account in the world, and they
were fpeaking about earthquakes, there having
been one in that place formerly, which was very
dreadful, having deftroyed many houfes and fa
milies. Thefe two young men argued that
earthquakes, and all other things came by na
ture, and denied a fupernatural power, or Deity ;

* infomuch that divers, furprized at fuch wicked

* difcourfe, and being alhamed of their company,

< left

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 109

c left it; and at the fame time the earth fhook, and
( trembled exceedingly, as though afionifhed atfucli

* treafon againft its Sovereign and Creator, whofc
c footftool it is : and when the earth thus moved,
c the company which remained were fo aftonifhed,

* that fome run one way, and fome another, buc
c thefe two atheiftcal young men ftaid in the room,

* and Jonathan with them, he believing that the

* providence of Almighty God could preferve him.

* there if he pleafed, and if not, that it was in vain

* to fly; but the hand of God fmote thefe two

* young men, fo that they fell down ; and, as

* Jonathan told me, he laid one on a bed, and the

* other on a couch, and they never fpoke more,

* but died foon after.' This was the amazing end
of thefe young men : A dreadful example to all
Athens, and difTolute and wicked livers. Oh ! that
young people might be warned, that the hand of
God might be upon them for good, and that they
would tenderly be concerned for their falvation.

On the joth of the fourth month, 1723, my tenth
child, named 'Thomas, died about midnight, having
before buried nine. It was fome exercife to me thus
to bury my children one after another; but this did
a little mitigate my forrow, that I knew, that could
I have all things relating to them according to my
defire ; could I fee them grow up to be fober men
and women, well married, have a competency in
the world, &c. yet it was fafer and better for them,
and they more out of danger, being taken away in
their infancy and innocency ; and I fervently begged
of the Almighty, that he would be pleafed to take
them away while innocent, rather than that theyfhould
live to be vicious or unrighteous men and women,
and to bring fcandal on the holy name of Chrift, and
upon our Chriftian profefiion ; which confideration
did mightily tend to fettle and quiet my mind in my
forrowfui exercife. The great Lord of all fanctify

the

no THE JOURNAL OF

the forrows and affli6tions of his people and child-*-
ren, and grant them the fulfilling of that bleffed por
tion of holy Scripture, " That all things Ihall work
te together for the good of them that love and fear
cc God:" even fo be it, faith my foul !

In the fixth month of this year, I removed from
the city into the country, to a fmall plantation I had
at Frankfort, in order to be more retired, and for
health's fake, &c. finding fome declining in my bo
dily ftrength, which I take to be very much owing to
the fevere colds and hardihips I have fuftained in my
long and hard travels, more efpecially in the wilder-
nefs of America ; for without vanity I may fay, that
I always loved temperance, and have been fometimes
zealoufly concerned to preach againft intemperance;
and though I cannot now take fo long journeys as I
have formerly, my fpirit earneftly travails for the
welfare of Zion, and the peace and profperity of all
thofe who love, fear, and ferve God, and believe in
his Son.

On the fixth day of the eighth month, it pleafed
God to give me another fon, whom I named George,
after my father, brother, nephew, and king ; and
though his name is now a great name among men, I
confidered that no man can preferve life, fo I gave
him up to the will of him who gave him to me,
and defire, if I have no name through children to
pofterity, I may have a name in the Lamb's book of
life, which 1 have ever efteemed far above a name
amongft men.

After my removal to this place I was not idle, but
vilited neighbouring meetings, and in the eighth
month I went to Shrew/bury general meeting, where
there were many hundreds of people, and the truth
declared had good impreffions upon the minds of
many; fome, after meeung, who were not of our fo-
ciety, acknowledged to the truth, and that they
were glad they were there. In this meeting I was

concerned

TKOMA< CHALKLEY. m

concerned for the welfare of mankind, and the ex
altation of the holy name of the Almighty, to declare
the univerfal love of God to man, from feveral texts
of holy Scripture, as that paffage concerning Jacob
and "Efau, and Peter, and Cornelius , and fomething
concerning the objection made againft us the people
called Quakers, that we do not acknowledge the holy
Scriptures to be the word of God •, for though we be
lieve that the Scriptures came by divine infpiration,
yet we are clearly convinced by their teftimony, and
by the fpirit of truth in our hearts, that Chrift is the
eternal word of God, by whom all things were made
and created, and do ftill exift.

From Shrewjbury, with divers other Friends, I
rode to Crofwicks, where on the fifth- day, we had a
very comfortable meeting, in which the ancient love
and goodnefs of our heavenly Father was with us, to
the tendering our hearts into tears of joy ; fome of
us being likewife affected, in remembrance of the
goodnefs of the Almighty to us, in the meeting we
had in this place under the trees about twenty-five
years fince. The great fubject of faith and works
was fpoken to 5 as that the Romans feemed to lay too
much ftrefs on works, and the Lutherans, Calviniftsy
and others, too little : but our principle led us to
join both together j the Almighty having joined them
together, none ought to feparate them. This fubjecl:
of faith and works having been much in debate
amongft profeffed Chriftians, it is on my mind here
to mention a few things deduced from the bed au
thority :

The firft is, Without faith it is impoflible to pleafe
God, Heb. xi. 6.

Second, Faith is the gift of God.
Third, Faith works by love.
Fourth, Faith is the evidence of things not feen,
and :he iubftance of things hoped for.
Fifth, Faith without works is dead,

Sixth,

THE JOURNAL OF

Sixth, The juft live by faith.

Seventh, You believe (or have faith) in God, be*
lieve alfo in me, John xiv. i.

And the author to the Hebrews fpeaks excellently
concerning the power of faith, and the mighty won
ders wrought by it. Note, this living, faving, true
and divine faith, muft be in the heart, through, and
in Chrift Jefus the Son of the living God, who is, and
always will be, the author and finifher of it in every
true believer.

After I came from Shrewjlmryy I vifited divers
neighbouring meetings, and fome in Chejler county,
where I had meetings for nine days fucceffively, fome
of which were very large, particularly at Providence
and Gojhett) in which I was opened to exhort them to
keep to that plain, honeft way of life and converfa-
tion, which our fathers and elders were found in, and
to remind them of the fufferings they endured for their
teftimony to the blefTed truth, in the firft breaking
forth thereof in the Jaft age ; and I was concerned to
Ihow them that the Almighty, who had blefled us
with plenty of temporal bleflings, would continue the
fame to us, if we were careful to live in his fear* but
that otherwife, we might expect his judgments for
difobedience.

And after my return I continued about home for
fome time, it being winter feafon and bad travel
ling, and I not fo capable of travelling as formerly :
but I had great peace and tranquility of mind, in
that I had freely given up my youthful days to ferve
my Creator, and the fame love and zeal was yet freih
and warm in my heart, for the glory of his great
name; and I dill have a full refolution, through his
ftrength and grace, to ferve him, the great Lord of
all, all my days, according to the light and ftrength
given to me.

Our yearly- meeting at Philadelphia this year was
large, in which our Friend Benjamin Kid> from Eng
land y

THOMAS GHALKLEY. 113

being with us, had good fervice. I cannot for
get a concern which was upon me at this meeting,
that the univerfal love of God, through Chrift,
might prevail amongft mankind, and to prefs Friends
to manifeft to all people the influence thereof, by
their exemplary lives andconverfation.

In the fecond month, 1724, I went into New-Jer-
fey^ as far as Shrewjlury, where, on a firft-day, we
had a large meeting, to general fatisfadion ; and
the next day we had another, wherein the love and
goodwill of God, through Chrift, was opened freely
to the people, and our duty to forgive one another was
largely treated ofj and it was plainly ihewn,that with
out forgiving others, we could not be forgiven of
God, as Chrift faith, " If ye forgive men their tref-
** paffes, your heavenly Father will alfo forgive you :
" but if ye forgive not men their trefpafles, neither
cc will your heavenly Father forgive your trefpafTes,'*
Matt. iv. 14, 15, &c. and much more to the fame
effect on that fubjed; as alfo Chrift's anfwer to
Peter, who afked, " How oft a man fhould forgive
c< his brother if he trefpafled againft him ?" Pete*-
fays, " till feven times ?•" Our Lord Jefus anfwers,
** I fay not unto thee, until feven times, but until
<c feventy times feven," Matt, xviii. 22. And again.
Chrift fays, <c If thy brother trefpafs againft thee
<c feven times in a day, and feven times in a day turn
<f again unto thee, faying, I repent, thou fhalt for-
<c give him," Luke xvii. 4. Which hard-hearted
people think a great hardfhip, but Chrift's croismuft
be taken up, and borne daily, if we will be his dif-
ciples and followers in deed, and in truth, as well as
in profeffion.

After we had reconciled fome differences at Sbrewf-
lury, we went to a place called Menefquan* and had
a good open meeting, and moft of the people of that
place were there. It was a good time, and I hope
the opportunity will not foon be forgotten by divers

H that

H4 THE J O U R N A L OF

that were there. From this place we travelled tcr
CrofwickSy and had a good meeting. After meeting,
a "Friend told me that fome would fay, I fpoke by in
formation, becaufe I had opened fome matters which
were exactly to the ftate and condition of fome there :
but I knew nothing of their date and condition,
otherwife than as it was then immediately opened in
my mind ; neither had I been told any thing concern
ing them, directly or indirectly : and from thence we
travelled to Burlington, where the monthly-meeting
of our Friends had defired that I would be afliftanc
to help to end a difference which had happened
through miftake, and continued for feven years, fince
the firft occafion was given, and through divine af-
fiftance, our hearts being filled with the love of
Chrift, we fo prevailed upon the differing perfons,
that they gave each other fatisfaclion, with hopes that
they fhould live in love for the future ; and Friends
of the place greatly rejoiced at the end of that dif
ference. As I went along this town, fome Friends
told me of a religious people fome few miles diftant,
•whom they defired I would have a meeting with. I
defired them to fee if it would be granted, and let
me know * which was done, and we had a meeting,
and were kindly received, and the divine nature of
the gofpel of Chrift was freely opened to them, and
in great love we parted from one another. I travel
led in this journey about two hundred miles -, and
when I came home, my dear wife and family gladly
received me with hearts full of love : and this tef-
timony I think proper, for feveral folid reafons, to
leave behind me of my virtuous and loving wife,
that fince we were married, fhe never hindered me in
that fervice my great IVLfter called me unto, in all
the time of our living together: we always parted,
for the fake of the goipel of Chrift, in pure love, and
in the fame love we always met again.

Soon

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

Soon after this time I met with feveral great lofles
by fea and land, and myfelf and my little daughter
were dangeroufly Tick, fo that our recovery feemed
doubtful ; yet through the mercy of God we both re
covered, for which I praife his name.

After fome flay at home, I was again moved in
the love of Chrift, to vifit the general-meetings of
Duck-Creek and Salem. At Duck-Creek we had a large
and fatisfaclory meeting. From Duck-Creek I ap
pointed a meeting at George's Creek, which was a good
meeting. The next morning we went over to Elfin-
burgh, and fo on to Cohanfy, where I met with two of
my fellow-labourers in the work of Chrift, Thomas
Lightfoot and Benjamin Kid. We had a meeting to
gether at Cohanfy, in which the people were exhorted
to fobriety and juft dealing. The contrary of botli
is too obvious at fuch times at fairs ; there being di
vers of the fair people there as well as others, the
nature of Chrift's work in the heart, was fomewhat
fpoke to, but not fo open a meeting as fome others,
the people thereaway being too flack and dull as to
religion. Next day we had a meeting at Alloway's
Creek, where we all three had fome pretty clofe work ;
and from thence we went to the general-meeting at
Salem, which was larger than common, on account of
the faid Friend, Benjamin Kid's, being there •, who, in
the love of Chrift came from England, to vifit the
churches in this part of the world. There were fo
many Friends and others here at this time, that fome
houfes were fo filled, that there was not room for all
that came to lodge there. After this meeting I re
turned home, and in a few days went into Chefter-
County, and travelled above 100 miles 5 and when I
came home I underftood, that fome, for want of a
true fenfe of the work of Chrift, had been cenfuring
me for my travelling and hard labour in the work
of the miniftry of the gofpel of Chrift ; though, by
the fame rule of judging, the apoftles of Chrift, and

H 2 our

lifi THE JOURNAL OF

our ancient Friends, who travelled much, cannot
efcape their cenfure; for in all my travels, I have
had an efpecial regard to the unity of the brethren^
and never knowingly went abroad without it : bul
let this caution be recorded for the inftrucYion of all
fuch forward judges ; let them be careful of judging
Chrift's fervants, left their words become their bur
den : cc Judge not, that ye be not judged/' faith our
great Lord, " for with what judgment ye judge, ye
« fhall be judged."

Soon after my return from Ch eft er- County, I was
at a marriage at dbwgton, which was one of the moft
folemn I have been at j and on the i5th of the third
month, at the youths meeting at Germ an-*? own, to
my great fatisfaclion ; and on the 23d of the fame
month, I went to the general-meeting of minifters
and elders at Burlington -9 at which meeting, feverai
things relating to the gofpel-miniftry were declared i
as its being a free, a clear, and a powerful miniftry,
reaching to the confcience, and convincing of the
danger of continuing in fin : and divine charity was
much recommended, without which, all miniftry is
but as founding brafs, &c» From this meeting I went
with Waiter Herbert^ into Bttck's- County, and at N&-
Jhaminy we had an open, tender meeting. From thence
I went to Buckingham, and v/as at a marriage of a fort
and daughter-in-law of Thomas Canby's* The meet
ing was large, and Friends well fansfted ; and it was
©bfervable, though I was very hoarfe, through a cold
1 had taken, and could hardly fpeak in common con-
verfetion, yet it was much taken away in my miniftry,,
fo that I was carried through the fervice to our ad
miration, for which I was truly thankful. After this
meeting I returned home with true latisfaction, fuch
as is much more valuable than filver and gold* two
mighty idols in the world.

After a little ftay at home, I went on a firffi-cfay to
or Gwinmed} where was a pretty large

meeting.

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 117

meeting, many young people being there, to whom
I was concerned to fhew, that Chrift is the way by
which we muft come into the true church, through
regeneration, and that all who invent other ways are
thieves and robbers. I rode twenty- five miles that
day, and the next day came to Frankfort, and was
at the burial of an ancient Friend, Joan Orpwood, ac
which our Friend John Salkeld was, with whom I was
the next day at Philadelphia, at our third-day meet
ing, which was a good meeting.

On the 4th day of the fourth month, intending
foon to take a journey to Long-Ijland, I thought it a
proper time to alter my will, as I had kept one by
me for divers years before, confidering the uncer
tainty of life. On the fth of the fourth month I
went to Merion to vifit an ancient F>iend, John Ro
berts, who was fick near unto death, where I again
met with John Salkeld. The Friend exprefled his fa-
tisfaction in this vi fit, and we had a reward of peace
in the exercife of that Chriftian duty of vifiting the
fick, which is recommended by the apoftle to the
primitive churches of Chrift. After we had been
ibme time with our faid fick Friend, w/: went to the
meeting which had been appointed for us feveral
days before, and was large and fatisfaclory ; for
which favourable vifitation we blefled th/; great name
of the Almighty, and parted tenderly in Chriftian
love and good-will. The Friend we went to vifit
died the next day. He was a helper of the poor,
and a maker of peace in the neighbourhood : of fuch,
Chrift faid, " Blefled are the peace- maker $> for they
?! Jhall.be called the children of God/'

H 3 P«

ii8 THE JOURNAL OF

On the zoth of the fourth month, 1724, I had a
concern to write the following epiftle to Friends ia
the ifland of Barbadoes.

Frankfort, the loth of the fourth month, 1724;

Dear Friends,

c T N the tender love of God, our heavenly Father,
« Jj[ and of our Saviour Jefus Chrift, do I, your.

* brother, at this time greet you, and wifti you

* health and falvation. Underftanding by a concern-
€ ed Friend, that of late feveral of our Friends are

taken away from you by death, a concern came on
my mind to put you in remembrance of your latter
end, and of the caufe of Chrift ; and allb, of the
prosperity of his bleffed light and truth in your (in,
that refpecl poor, though in fome others, rich and
luxurious) ifland : the pofterity of many that have
been taken away there, as well as in divers other
places, having gone aftray ; and that it may not be,
fo with thofe who are left behind, let a weighty
concern come upon you. O dear Friends ! let your
practices and exprelTions, manifeft to therifmg ge
neration, that the welfare of their fouls, more than,
of their bodies, is at heart with you j and do not
indulge them in that which you in yourfelves were,
convinced to be of an evil tendency, when your,
hearts were firft reached by the power of truth.
How many youths have been loft, through the.
loofenefs of the example of their elders, and through
an undue indulgence of them in vanity, folly, pride,
and idlenefs ! Woful experience doth but too much
declare that they are many : O they are many in
deed, who have been loft by fo doing ! Wherefore,
dear Friends, clear yourfelves of your children ;
and, if they will obftinately go aftray, faithfully
bear your teftimony againjt them, in life, doc-

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 119

c trine, or expreffions and converfation, which will
€ witnefs for you when you are dead and gone, and
c your heads laid in the filent grave. Thus will
c your youth, through the blefling of God, and your
c endeavours, eome up in your places, or at leaft
c you will be clear, and their blood will be upon their
c own heads. A pure find: watch is required of
c you in converfation, in all thofe relations : Firft,
6 That God may be glorified. Secondly, That your
' children may be exampled. Thirdly, That your

* neighbours may be edified, or built up in pure re-

* ligion : and fourthly, That you may die in peace

* with him that created you, and died for you ; re-

* membring the blefled doctrine of Chrift Jefus,
<£ Let your light fo Ihine before men, that others
" feeing your good works, may glorify your Fa-
<c ther which is in heaven." And again, " You are
ffc as a city fet on a hill, which cannot be hid." And
f as you thus train up your children in the way which

< they fliould go, when they are young, you may
have reafon to hope they will not depart from it

f when they are old -, for many have been convinced

* of the truth, as it is in Jefus Chrift, through the
c good converfation of his followers. And how can
' we expect to die well, if we do not live well ? Or

< can we expect the anfwer of well done, if we are
c not in the practice of doing well ?

< And I do defire and earneftly exhort Friends to
c read the holy Scriptures, and wait to feel the power
« from which they fprung, through the holy writers,
c and alfo to teach them to their children. And,

* dear Friends, let me prevail with you in the love
c of God and his dear Son, to keep clofe to your
c meetings for the worfliip of Almighty God, and
« for the well-ordering of your fociety ; and do it in

* the meek fpirit, for that is of great price with the
f. Lord ; and when in your meetings, get into areli-
5 gious exercifea and lively concern for God's glory,

H !• and

120 THE JOURNAL OF

* and your fouls peace and profperity. I pray thef

* holy Lord of Sabbath, to open your hearts to
him in the reading of this epiftle, as mine is open
to you, my beloved Friends, that you and I may be
edified, (though outwardly feparated), as we were
when together; and if we fhould never meet more
in this world, that we may meet in the kingdom of
'God, v/here we may never part more. Amen.

* Hallelujah, faith my foul.

6 1 defire this may be copied and read at the clofe
' of one of each of your particular meetings, and, if
€ it could be readily, in every family of Friends •, to

* all whom is my very dear love in Jefus Chrift,
f whofe fervant I am, and hope to be to the end.,
< and I am an entire lover of fouls, and a well-wilher
' of Sions profperity.

r. CHALKLET:

On the nth of the fourth month I left home on.
a journey to Long-IJland, in order to vifit Friends
meetings, and alfo to negociate fome bufinefs I had
there \ the firft meeting I had was at Burlington, where
I had occafion to aclvife them to keep in remembrance
of that ancient love which firft united our fociety
together, and in which, in times of cruel perfecu-
tion, fome freely offered to fufFer the imprisonment
of their bodies to obtain the liberty of their friends
in confinement. From thence we travelled to Amboy>
and fo over to Stolen- I/land. The day being very
hot, and the evening cold, I got a fevere cold,
which I did not get clear of for about two weeks,
notwithstanding which, I went to meetings, though
ill in body. The firft meeting I had on Long-IJldnd>
was at 'Flufbing, on a firft-day : A comfortable
meeting it was ! in which was clofely prefled, the
taking up the crofs of Chrifl, by all who defire to
be his difciples, and that without it we could not be
true Chriflians. From Flushing we went to Mujketto-

Cove2

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

Cove, and had a meeting there on third-day, which
was large, and to general fatisfaftion, and fome
were there that were newly convinced. I feeing
the openneis of the meeting, advifed Friends to build
a meeting-houfe there, which they approved of. On
fourth-day we had a meeting at Weft bury, and on
fifth-day at Cowneck. From Cowneck I went to the
fouth-fide of the ifland, and had a meeting at Cap
tain Hicks' s. The neighbours who were not of our
fociety, came generally to this meeting, and they
were preflingly exhorted to come to Chrift, and the
way opened unto them. It was a good time, and I
thought a time of love to us all ; though before the
meeting I was exceedingly fhut up in myfelf, fo that
the meeting was very beneficial to me, among the
reft, to fee how the Lord could work by his power,
and 'unlock the foul, as in a moment, as he did for
my poor foul at times. O may I, with Chrift's
followers and minifters, ever depend upon him, is
my petition ! From Rockway, for fo is the place cal
led, we went to W-eJlbury, and had a very large meet
ing on a fird-day; and, as I was informed, fome
TArere convinced there that day. From hence I went
to a place called Fofter's meadows, where we had a
large meeting in one Due/bury* & barn. After this I
went over to the main land, and had a meeting at a
place called Weflchefter. From thence we went to
Flufhingi and had a large meeting on a fifth-day of the
week, in which the right training up of children, and
careful education of youth, was zealoufly recommend
ed. From Flttjhing I went to Hunting! on> where fome
were lately convinced of the principle of truth as it
is in Chrift Jefus, fome of whom were excommuni
cated by the Preflytsrians, with whom they had for
merly joined. We had a pretty large meeting in a
friend's barn, where one prieft Prime oppofed me, as
he alfo had my "Friend Benjamin Kid fome time be-
j of which, '-by letter, I gave an account to my

dear

THE JOURNAL OF

dear Friends Thomas Lightfoot and Benjamin Kid, de-r
firing them, in their return from New- England, to have
an evening-meeting there. The grounds of this
priefr/s cavilling, or difpute, was, that I had declar
ed, That it is the light of Chrift, or his fpirir, which
convinceth the world of fin, and not a natural light,
cr the light of a natural conference ; from whence
he took occafion to charge me with denying a natural
confcience; the fallhood of which I charged upon
him before the auditory, and defired him, if he had
any thing on his mind, to write it to me, to which I
promifed to return him an anfwer.

From Huntington I went to the general-meeting of
Friends held at New-Town, which was fo large that
the meeting-houfe could not contain the people, and
the weather being extreme hot, the people without
doors were fome of them uneafy, and went to and fro;
but thofe that were in the houte, and fo near as they
could hear, were very attentive, and as far as I could
learn, generally fatisfied. Our next meeting was at
2few-Tork> which was the quietefl meeting I ever had
there ; and thofe few Friends at New-York, and fome
that were there from J^ong-IJland , parted with us in
the love of Chrift, and in the fellowfhip of his blef-
fed gofpel ; and fo I travelled homewards, having

food fatisfaction in yifiting my Friends \ and when
came home, I found my dear wife and children in
health, for which I blefs God.

After this journey I kept to meetings at and about
home as ufual, a.nd was, at the fifth-day meeting in
Philadelphia, when Samuel Prefton was married to Mar-

faret Langdale, the widow of my dear friend and
ellow-traveller, Jqfiah Langdale \ the meeting was,
large, and the parable of the virgins, and the bride-,
groom's coming at midnight, was opened, with an.
exhortation to the people to be ready againft that
hour, and that they fhould take care to. have the.
holy oil of divine grace in tfyeir hearts»

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 123

After this meeting I had fome affairs which called
lane into Chefter-County, and on the road my horfe
gave a fudden and violent ftart out of the path, and
threw me down, and before I could get up again, he
(truck my face, and on my right eye with his foot,
being newly fhod, which (tunned me for the prefent;
but as foon as I opened that eye which was unhurt,
I perceived that I lay on my back, under my horfe's
belly, with my head between his fore feet. He
Hood ftill, and I got on my hands and knees, the
blood itreaming out of my nofe and right eye, and
while I was bleeding a man and woman came by>
and {laid till I had done bleeding, and faw rne
mounted on my horfe again. I went forward, being
about two miles from the houfe I intended to go to,
and after riding about a mile, I met with a friend
that knew me, and was furprifed to fee me fo bloody,
and went with me to Randal May ling $> a faithful
honelt friend, who was upwards of eightv years of
age, and had fuffered much for his profeffion of the
truth in his younger years, where feveral tender-'
hearted, motherly women dreffed my wounded eye.
J was truly thankful to the Lord for his providence
towards me in this d-iiverance, among many others,
which he in his goodnefs hath vouchfafed to me. I
ftaid at this Friend's houfe three nights, and mended
apace, and the Friend accompanied me to my houfe
at Frankfort^ where my loving wife, with fome fur-
prize, received rne very affectionately -9 and through
her care and continual application, I recovered, that
I could fee pretty well with fpectacles, which 1 was
obliged to ufe for fome months. Such accidents
plainly fhew us the necefiity of preparing for fudden
death, as we know not when, o.r how, we may go off
the it age of this life.

On the 25th of the fifth month, I received a letter
from a perfon in the county of Burlington, relating to
w^ter-baptifm, to which I made anfwer. as follows :

THY

THE JOURNAL OF

c /T^H Y lines I received laft night, in the peru?
c JL ^ing °f which, there was a Chriftian love in
e my heart towards thee, though unknown by face,
ff and 1 have much freedom of mind to anfwer thine,
tf according to thy requeit, and my fmail ability.
f Firft then, We are near in lentiments to each other
c in the grand Chriftian principle of faving religion,
« which is the work of the holy Spirit of Chrift upon

* the foul, for that is the baptifm which is Chrift's,
€ and is truly faving, and abfolutely neceflary to fal-

* vation ; Chrift's baptifm being but one, which is
c with the Holy Ghoft, and with fpiritual fire or
6 water; Johns being the element, or figure ; and
c CHRIST'S being the fpirit, power, and divine fub-

* ftance, and is to be with the church of Chrift, and

* with his true minifters to the end of the world,
f Secondly, In anfwer to thy query, Was water-

* baptifm, that is, the element, not commanded by
c Chrift himfelf, in Matt, xxviii, 19? I anfwer, I
c believe not. My reafon is this, becaufe the holy
« Ghoft, or fpirit, is mentioned in the text, or that
c command, in exprefs words, and water is not $
e and therefore we omit going into outward water,
« and for other reafons, as followeth. Thirdly, That
c water-baptifm, which was John's, was praclifed by

* the apoftles, is true; but it was not practifed by.
' Chrift, who, no doubt, would have done it if it

* had been abfolutely necefiary ; for he difdained not
« to wafh his difciples feet5 a much more defpicable
c office than that of the baptifmal ceremony : fa

* becaufe Chrift did not himfelf practice it, nor, as we
€ conceive, commanded us to go into material water,
€ we therefore forbear it. Fourthly, That the apoftles
c did baptize with water, we deny not; and that

* they were circumcifed, and did circumcife, is alfo.
*' undeniable. Now, muft we circumcife becaufe the
1 apoftles did, and were themfelves circumcifed ?

f confider

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

* confider that carefully, and I hope that will give

* thee fome fight, or light into, or concerning the
« difpenfation of water- baptifm, which was Jebn's
( baptifm, and was glorious in its day and difpenfa-

* tion, in pointing at Chrift's baptifm, until it came,

* which was the fubilance, and was with fpiritual
c fire, and fpiritual water, and will continue for

* ever. To Chrift, and his baptifm, 1 heartily direct

* thee for further instruction, in whom is light, and
< that light is the life of men, or life, and that life

* the light of men.

And further, I would write a little of my own
c thoughts concerning water-baptifm, and on fome
' texts of Scripture, being Chrift's own words,
« viz. " He that believeth,"and is baptized, (hail be
" faved, and he that believeth not, fhall be damned,"

* or condemned, Mark xvi. 16. Now this mud needs
c be underftoo'd of the Spirit's baptifm -, for it would
c be abfurd to fay, or believe, that all who are bap-

* tized with the element of water, are faved, or all

* who are not baptized with water, are damned;
4 therefore it is the fpirit's baptifm, that all profeffing
c Chriftianity ought to come unto to witnefs falva-
« tion. Again, Chrift fays, " Except a man be born
" of water, and of the fpirit, he cannot enter into the
" kingdom of God," or of heaven, Matt. iii. 5.

* This divers will have to be a mixture of the element
c water, and of the fpirit; but Chrift fays, " It is
<c the fpirit that quickeneth, the flefh profiteth noth-
*c ing : the words that I fpeak unto you they are
«c fpirit, and they are life," John vi. 6j. " And
" that which is born of the flefh is flefh, and thac
" which is born of the fpirit, is fpirit," John iii. 6.

* According to which doctrine, I have faith to be-

* lieve, that outward, fleftily, or elementary water-

* baptifm, profits little or nothing to the foul.
c Again, Why fhould the water in that place be un-
f derftood of the element, any more than the fire in

4 the

THE JOURNAL OF

e the other/ viz. <c To be baptized with the Holjr
<c Ghoft and with fire?" Since Chrift faid, " My
ee words they are fpirit and life." Remember the;
well of water that fpr ings up to eternal life in the
believers : remember the water that Chrift gave4,
whofoever drank of it was never to thirft more.
This is all fpiritual, which the carnal mind cannot
comprehend or enjoy, but is witnefied by the fpi-
ritual man. And further, if we confider what con-
fufion there is in the world about this water-bap-
tifm, it may well put a tender-feeking foul upon
further fearch into the nature of holy, faving bap-
tifm. The Papifts have one way ; the Lutherans
and Calviniftf another ; the Baptifts, they have ano
ther; and all differ fo widely, that, generally
fpeaking, they will not worlhip together; neither
are they ever like to be reconciled, except they
come to the holy Spirit and divine power of Jefus,
the good Saviour and precious guide of fouls.
That faying of his hath often been a comfort to
€ me in deep exercifes and diftrefies of mind, when
« he faid to his difciples/ fc It is expedient for you
cc that I go away ; for if I go not away, the Com-
<6 forter will not come; but if I go away, I will
<e pray to the Father, and he will fend the Comfort-
cc er, the Spirit of truth, in my name, and when he
cc is come, he fhall lead you, and guide you into all
*e truth ; he (hall take of mine, and give it unto
tc you, and fhall bring all things to your remem-
«e brance, that I have fpoken unto you." And
that he was to convince the world of fin ; and that
he fhall abide with you for ever. May the preci
ous gift of the Spirit be given to thee, and to all
true feekers of God, his Chrift and kingdom, is my
real defire, and humble prayer to the Moft High.
f See the four r.vangelifts for the promife, they not
c wording it alike.

Having

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

c Having anfwered the moft of thy letter, I
c would add a few lines more, viz. I have known

* fome who could not be fatisfied with words about

* this point of baptifm with water, until Chrift had
c by his Spirit given them fatisfa&ion in themfelves;

and as thou comes more and more into clofe com
munion with his grace and Spirit in thy own fouf,
I hope thou alfo wilt have better fatisfa6lion than
that of words only. I have known fome of the
people called Baptifts, who have been convinced
of the truth, according to our way and principle,
« to whom all the writing, and difputing, and
< reading, and preaching, about this point, could

* never give ample fatisfadtion, until they had it in-
c wardly and immediately from Chrift, manifefted to

* them by his holy Spirit in their hearts, as aforefaid,
c Though I would not be underftood to be againft
c fatisfying one another as much as lieth in our pow-

* er, and as we find opennefs in the love of God and
c Chrift. And further, I never underftood that any
c of our fociety were abfolutely againft fuch prac-
« tifing of it, who could fee no further, or did really
c think in their confciences it was their duty fo to do ;
c but we believe, that we fee beyond the figure or
' fhadow, and are come to the fubftance, for the
€ reafons mentioned, and many more which might

* be given. Several treadles have been written upon
c this fubjedt, one of which is very full, before we

* were a people, by William DeI/3 a wife and learned
' man, and one who had a large fenfe of the power
c of God : and among us Barclay's Apology, and a
c Treatife by John Gratton, who was a Baptift preach-
« er, and one by Jofeph Pike : and alfo here is a little
c book of Thomas Upjber's, a Baptift preacher before
€ he came to join with us, which 1 fend thee, with

* whom I was well acquainted, as alfo with thofe

* men who fubfcnbed it. If thou applies thyfelf to
f Richard Smith > of Burlington > he is as likely as any I

c know

THE JOURNAL OF

c know to help thee to thofe books, all which are

* larger on the fubjecT;, and have given fatisfaftion

* to thoufands about it; though fome, as I have

* faid, could never be fatisfied with words. In
c reading the latter part of thy letter, I was tenderly
' affected, and my prayers to the Almighty were,
c that he would pleafe to direct thee by his power
tf and Spirit, and the grace of his dear Sdn, who hath

* faid, «c He that cometh unto me, I will in no wife
*c caft off." Now, tender Friend, Chrift is the

* true light, that lighteth every man that cometh
c into the world, by which light thou mud walk to

* the kingdom and city of God. He is the door
' into the true fheepfold : he is the truth, in whom

* thou muft believe : he is the divine life and light

* of the foul : he is the true Chriftian's all in all :

* and as the kingdom is within, as faid Chrift, fo
€ the king is alfo within, and without alfo. He is
c God omnipotent, omnifcient, omniprefent, the im-

* mortal Jehovah, and is God over all, blefTed for
c ever. And as a fervant of his, I recommend thee,
c with my own foul, unto him for prefervation and
c divine direction ; for it is the great work of Chrift's
c true minifters and fervants, to direct the feeking,
' travelling fouls to him •> to whom, with the Fa-
c ther, and the eternal Spirit, be glory, now, and

c evermore. Amen. From thy allured friend in

! Chrift.

T. CHALKLEY.'

The perfon to whom I wrote this letter, fome time
after informed me, it gave him great fatisfaction.

After I had ftaid at home fome time, and pretty
\vell recovered of the hurt I had by my fall, I vi-
fited fome meetings about home, as Philadelphia*
AbingtQH) and German-^ own. In feveral of thofe
meetings I was concerned to exhort Friends, as our
meetings and worfhip was, in this province ofPenn-

THOMAS CHALKLEY,

fylvania, a kind of national worfhip, to beware that
they did not indulge themfelves in the fins of the
nations, but to be careful to keep to the holy, felf-
denying life of Jefus.

On the 5th of the fixth month, between the hours
of nine and ten in the night, there was an earthquake,
which divers people were very fenfible of; and about
this time divers people were taken off with a violent
fever; and I was concerned in feveral meetings to
put the people in mind of their mortality, and ihort-
nefs of time here -, and alfo of the uncertainty of it,
and the neceflity of fpeedy preparation for their final
change, and future well-being. In the aforcfaid
month I was at our youths meeting in Philadelphia,
where 1 was concerned to advife parents to do juftly
to their children, in the divers relations of a child's
ftate; to be juft in correction, and to be fure to
give them learning, and train them up in reading
of the holy Scriptures, they being able, through faith
in Chrift, to make us wife to falvation. I alfo was ear-
neft in exhortation to the youth, to obey and honour
their parents, and to have a care not to be difobedient
to their fathers and mothers. I had a concern alfo
to remind that large congregation, that the Almighty
had ftretched out his arm of power, with his rod,
and had given the people of this land three ftrokes
therewith, as a gentle admonition towards heart-
preparation, to meet him, and to prepare for their
latter end, or final difiblution : which was firft,
A ficknefs, or peftiiential fever, which carried off
many of the people. Secondly, An earthquake, of
which divers in town and country were very fenfible.
Thirdly, A terrible whirlwind, fuch as we never be^-
fore heard of in this land, that I remember. They
were aclmonifhed to take particular and fpecial notice
of thofe gentle ftrokes of the divine hand, for if he
pleafcd he could as foon take away many by ficknefs,
as a few, and if he pleafed he could have made us a

I defolation,

1 30 THE JOURNAL OF

defolation, as well as the country about Mount
Mtna, or Port-Royal, in Jamaica, not very far from
us ; and he could alfo blow us away with a whirl
wind of his wrath, and could as eafily have blown
down all our city, as thofe few houfes in the coun
try.

Next day after this meeting I went with John Rod
man to the quarterly general-meeting of worfliip in
the county of Chefter, which was large and fatisfac-
tory.

The 25th of the fixth month, I was at the burial
of the wife of Richard Walny a virtuous and good
woman. Some of her lad words were, c Some mens
c fins go before-hand to judgment, and fome follow
c after them; and that her fins were gone before,
' which was a great comfort to her, now Ihe was
c going to leave the world.' It was a large meet
ing, and a feafonable opportunity that we had at the
funeral. The people were called upon to work,
while it was called to-day, becaufe, as our Saviour
faid, c the night cometh, wherein no man can work."
In this and the foregoing year I met with various
trials and exerciies : As Firft, Great inward poverty
and want. Secondly, Great loftes in outward affairs.
And Thirdly, The evil fpirits of divers ftirred up
againft me, to report falfhoods concerning me, with
many other fore exercifes both inward and outward.
As to the firfl, I had often been tried that way,
and found by experience, that I muft wait upon
God my Saviour, for frefh and renewed vifitations
from above ; in which exercife, I had always in the
Lord's time, comfort from him, as by the fame
exercife I had now the fame comfort alfo; but I
thought it very long, and the enemy did greatly en
deavour to break in upon my patience now more than
ufual : but my heart ftill depended in faith and
hope upon the Lord my Redeemer and Saviour,
and in his time he was pleafed to help me, bleffed

be

THOMAS CHALKLEY; 131

be his holy arm and power for ever 1 Many bleffed
faints and fervants of Jefus were brought to my
mind, who were in the like condition, fo that I had
a fecret joy in their company, who met with the like-
In their travels to the holy city. Secondly, as to my
outward loffes, I thought with myfelf, peradventure
it might be bed for me : and I remembered that
many, through the increafe of outward riches, were
exceedingly hurt as to their inward (late ; and though
I, or any good man, might be concerned for our
children, to get and leave fomething for them ; yec
I plainly faw^ that generally fpeaking, much riches
doth much hurt to youth. This was a melancholy
Cbfervation that I had made in my life and travels^
and I fee at this clay, that it is an univerfal difternper^
a very few exceptcd, wherefore I cried mightily to
God, that he would give to me and mine the gift of
his grace and holy Spirit, whatever our circum-
Itances might be in the world. In this allb I faw thae
patience was an excellent virtue, and that the meek
had the beft inheritance of the earth, if they had
ever fo little of it; and that true happinefs did not
confiit in earthly things, which my experience had
largely taught me. And thirdly, As to the bafe and
evil treatment I met with, which was more than I
had ever met with in all my life before, great endea
vours were ufed to leffen my reputation, as a mari
and a Chriftian ; all which proved falfe and fruitlefs^
and in due time my innocence was made manifeftj
and I confidered that they could not ufe me worfe
than they had done my Lord and Matter, and than
the Devil was angry with any who endeavoured td
dethrone hirrij and pull down his kingdom, at the'
foundation of which, through the help of mv Matter*
I had many a ftroke or blow, with fuch weapons as
he was pleafcd to furnifh me withal.

The laft of the fixth month, and the ift of the fe-
Venth month, was the quarterly and youths meeting

I 2 at

132 THE JOURNAL OF

at Burlington, at both which I was. At the quarter
ly-meeting I was concerned to open to that meeting,
how all along the church of God was governed by
his fpirit, in the time of the law, and Mofes was an
inftrument therein ; and that when it was too hard,
and too much work for Mofes, he was advifed to
get the help and afliftance of the elders, and that the
fame power and Spirit of God that was with and
upon Mofes, was upon the elders who affiited him in
the affairs of the church, and congregation of the
Lord's people •, fo that it was governed by God's
Spirit, and is to be governed by the fame (till, and
not by the will of man, nor according to the will of
man in his corrupt nature. And when Ifrael went
from God's power and Spirit, the Lord left them,
but at laft fent to them his only begotten Son, our
dear Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift ; and he was,
and ever is, to be governor of his church, through
his holy Spirit, which, he told his difciples, C{ he
cc would pray the Father, and he fhould fend unto'
<c them the Comforter, the holy Ghoft, or Spirit, the
" Spirit of truth, and he fhould abide with them for
cc ever, and fhould lead and guide them into all
<f truth ;" which fweet and precious promifes that
he made to them, the true believers do witnefs to be
fulfilled at this day. Glory to his name for ever I
he is the wonderful Counfellor, mighty Saviour, and
Prince of Peace ! of whofe peace and government
there fhall never be an end, and upon whofe (boulder
the government is to be for ever, for whofe power
and holy Spirit, Friends were exhorted to pray and
wait, and to be fenfible of it in the difcipline and
government of the church now in this gofpel day,
in which is a brighter manifeftation of God's love,
through his Son, than in the time of the law. The
youths meeting was alfo large, and divers teftimdnies
were borne, by way of exhortation and counfel to the
youth. They were with much tendernefs advifed to

take

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 133

take counfel of their elders, and were fhewn how it
fared with fome young men, who flighted the advice
and counfel of the elders •, and that one, when on a
dying-bed, cried out in the bitternefs and agonies of
his fpirit, Oh ! that I had taken the counfel and ad
vice of my friends, for then I had not been here, nor
in this condition. The youth were advifed to be
ware of keeping bad company, and fpending their
precious time in taverns, which hath undone many
fair and promifir.g youths : and it was fhewn, how a
young man might ckanfe his ways, by taking heed
thereunto, according to the word of God, which liv-
cth and abideth for ever, and which the holy Scrip
tures proceeded from -, and they were tarneftly ex
horted to read and practiie what was written there
in : and a very tender time we had in pra er to God,
through his dear Son, to preferve us all in his fear,
both youth and aged ; and fo our meeting broke up,
and we parted in the fweet love of God, and his
Chrift, our holy Saviour.

My troubles in the world, and in the things of
it, being many, and my outward lofTes being great;
as alfo was my inward poverty of mind and fpirit, I
took my pen, and wrote one day as folio weth : Oh !
if it be right in the fight of God, how do I long to be
unclothed of this frail and mortal body, that my
foul and fpirit might mount up into the setherial
plains, and repofe itielf into the vaft expanding arms
of its Maker, and moil fweet Saviour for ever !

Being at and near home fome time after I came
from Burlington, 1 vifite.d the meetings of German-
town and Philadelphia^ which were large, and fome
good fenfe of truth was in the hearts of divers. I
was concerned at that meeting at Philadelphia, to let
the people know, that as God had blefied the people
of that city, and the province, with fpiritual and
temporal bleffings, and made the land naturally
fruitful, to the inriching many of the inhabitants, he

1 3 ' now

THE JOURNAL OF

now expected fruits from them of piety and virtue $"
and that if there was not a ftricter walking with God
in Chrift Jefus, they might expect his divine hand,
which had vifited them with favours from heaven
above, and from the earth beneath, would vifitthem
with a rod in it, and that he had already given them
ibine gentle ftrokes therewith,

Our yearly-meeting was this year at Burlington,
for the provinces of New-Jerfey and Pennfyfaania, the
icrvice of which our quarterly-meeting appointed
mei with divers others, to attend. It°was a large
and comfortable meeting, and many went home
thankful to the holy name of God and Chrift, that
they were there.

I ihall end the fecond part of the journal of my
life and travels, when I have tranfcribed part of a
letter which my clear father wrote me, when eighty
odd years of age, he having been a minifter of Chrift
above forty years, which followeth :

Loving Son, Thomas Chalkky,

* rjr\ H I N E dated the j i th of the tenth month,
f JL 1723> I received, and was very glad to hear

* of your welfare, and that the Lord hath given you
< children : and I pray the Almighty God, that he
f may preferve them with you, that they may be a
f comfort to you in your latter days -, and that if the
c Lord may be pleafed to continue them with you,
? that they may, as they grow in days, grow in
f grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sa-
f viour Jefus Chrift ; and that the Lord may be

* pleafed to preferve us all to the end of thofe few
days we may have in this world, that then we may
lay down our heads in peace and in full afiurance
of everlafting bleffedneis for ever and evermore.—
1 blefs the Lord that he has prcfeived me fenfible

'of his blefled and holy Spirit, whereby my uncier-
flanding is indifferent clear and well, conlidering

' my

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 135

my age ; and the Lord in his great loving-kind-
nefs I do feel to help me to my great fatisfa&ion,
c in my little fervice for him.

c Having this opportunity by a friend of your
c town, was willing to let you hear of our welfare
( and health. I am in as good health at prefent as
< I have been for many years, and can make a fhift

* to go over London- Bridge, and to the meeting at
c Alder Jgate^ and to the P eel-Meeting^ from rny houfe
c in Shad-shames. And the Lord hath been pleafed

* to be with me now in my poor aged condition.

c So, dearfon, my dear love is to thee and thine,
c and to friends that may enquire after us. Divers
c Friends give their love to thee, whofe names I

* cannot remember.

c With repeated love to you all, I reft thy aged,

* and, thereby through pain, afflicted father,

' GEORGE CHALKLET:

Southwark, London, 5th of the fixth month, 1724."

P. S. c Thy brother George, his love is to you all,
c and I defire thee to let us hear of you as op-
* portunity may ferve.'

To fee my dear father's hand-writing, now he was
above four-fcore years of age, was very affecting to
me ; and the more, becaufe I expected it might be
his lad, which it was. The anfwer I fent to my dear
father's letter is as followeth :

Frankfort, 22d of the eighth month, 1724.

My dear Father,

< /TpHINE, per James Wilkins, I received with

joy, and was greatly comforted to hear that

* thou wall yet alive ; and efpecially that thou art

14 < favoured

136 THE JOURNAL OF

c favoured now in thy old age, with a fenfe of the

* gift of God, through the holy Spirit of his dear

* Son, our blefled Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrifl.

* The reading of thine did mightily refrefh and
c tender my heart and fpirit, not expecting many

* more fuch epiflles from thee, by reafon of thy
e great age. But my very dear and truly honoured
c father, if we fhouki never hear from, nor fee one

< another more in mutability, yet are we, while here
f on earth, as living epiflles in one anothers hearts,
c wrote by the finger, or hand of God. I have
c hope alib, that we fhall meet where we fhall never
c part more, in the glorious kingdom of God find

< his Chrift.

c We are all in good health, I humbly thank the
' Lord, and if it be his will, fhould rejoice to hear
c that thefe find thee, my tender and loving father,

* with my dear brother and lifter, and all my loving

* coufins, and our friends in general, in like health.
c I defire to know exactly, thy age in thy next, if
f thou art able to write to me, and if thou liveft
c where thou did formerly, or with brother or coufin,

* which will be very acceptable to me.

4 Thus, with unfpeakable love from felf, and wife,

< to thee my dear and aged father, and all relations,

* and friends, I remain thy loving and dutiful fon,

? THOMAS CHALK LET:

A JOURNAL

A

JOURNAL

O F T H E

LIFE, LABOURS, TRAVELS, Sec

O F

-THOMAS CHALKLEY.

PART III.

IN this year, 1724, I met with various trials,
affli&ions, and tribulations ; and had not the
fecret hand of the Lord, which I felt underneath,
bore up my fpirit from finking, I think I could never
have waded through them.

I was now removed, as already related, into the
country for retirement, which I greatly loved and
delighted in ; but as foon as I was a little fettled
there, the enemy, of all good endeavoured to dif-
quiet my repofe, by ftirnng up fome bad people

againft

138 THE JOURNAL OF

againft me, who lived near, and in time paft had
fawned upon me : and, to add to my afflictions, I
loit a veflel, in which, I fuppofe, I had upwards of
five hundred pounds ; and another vefTcl came in al-
moft a wreck, in which I fuffered in my intereil feve-
ral hundreds more, and a third I heard of, in which I
liad the like lofs ; and about the fame time I had
alfo a good new barn burnt to the ground in a few
minutes, fo that I was exceedingly dripped that way :
and to add yet more to my exercife, I was forely af-
fiicted with ficknefs, having a fwelling in my jaws,
mouth and throat, to that degree, that I could nei
ther fpeak nor fwallow for ibme time, nor eat nor
£eep for about feven days, as I remember, without
great difficulty. What the diftemper was, we could
not be certain. Some fuppofed it to be the quinfey,
others an impoftume •, alfo my little and only daugh
ter at the fame time was likely to die ; and as for rny
own part, I was very willing to go, if it fo pleafed
God; for I faw through the deceit of the world,
and that the friendfhip of it was not permanent -y
and in my fore afflictions in body, mind, and inte-
reft, it fared with me as with Job ; for divers of my
pretended friends added to my afflictions by undue
reflections; whom I pray the Lord to forgive for his
Son's fake ! At thefe times the remembrance of that
faying of Chrilt, u That the very hairs of your head
tc are numbered,'* Matt. x. 30. at times fupported
me in hopes, that all would work together for
good.

When I got a little well, fo that I could go to
meetings, I went to German-town, Abingtont Phila>-
ddpbifiy and Derby. My firft going abroad was to
Philadelphia, where, on a firft-day, we had a large
meeting, and divers things were opened in my mind.
I told them they had Mofes and the Profhetsy and
Jefus Chriil, who was arifen from the dead ; for
neither death, hell, nor the grave, could detain the

Lord

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 139

Lord of life and glory. And I was opened to de
clare to them, that they had a great advantage of
the coming of Chrift, not only in his appearance at
Jerufalem, but as he came to, and fpoke to the heart,
by his inward and fpiritual appearance ; and that this
gofpel difpenfation was by his coming, made more
confpicuous, bright, and glorious, than that which
went before. Friends were very glad to fee me
abroad again, they having expected daily to hear I
was dead, and there was tendernefs over the meeting,
and God over all, through his dear Son our Lord
Jefus Chrift, was praifed and glorified, who is wor
thy for ever.

In this year two fober young women, Elizabeth
Lcvis and Jane Fenn, were concerned to vifit Friends
in the aland of Barbadoes, and they meeting with
fome difcouragemenr, in Chriftian love I wrote them
the following letter, to encourage them in the work
of Chrift.

Frankfort, ift of the twelfth month, 1724.

My dear friends, Elizabeth Levis and Jane Fenn*

< T TNDERSTANDING by our Friend Grace

< \^J Lloyd i that you have propofed your intention

< of vifuing thofe few Friends in the ifland tfBarba-

* does, and that you meet with fome difcouragement
x inwardly and outwardly, therefore it is in my mind
? to comfort and ftrengthen you in ib great and good
« an undertaking and honourable work, as is that
c of the caufe of Chrift, who, for our fakes crofled
c himfelf abundantly beyond expreflion, more than

* is poiTible for us to do for his fake, or the fake of
e his people, whom we may fo entirely love, as to

* lay (down our lives for his and their fakes. But
c what is our lives, to the life of the only begotten

* Son of God ? and truly, we muft give them up

* often, if we have the caufe of fouls at heart ; and

c then

34° THE JOURNAL or

* then he often gives them to us again. Glory to his
( holy name for ever! As Chrift faid, " He that will
" fave his life, fliall lofe it, and he that will lay down
cc his life for my lake and the gofpel, fhall find it;5'
c which reacheth your cafe in this undertaking.

* And. indeed, fome of our lives, in our own fenfe,
€ is hardly worth mentioning, confidering the caufe
« of Chrift.

* And, dear children of our heavenly Father, I may
c through fome good experience, truly inform you,

* that there is much opennefs in many people on that
c ifland, and good encouragement I have had, from
€ above, in my vifiting the people there ; though,

* true it is, the inhabitants, too generally, are luxu-

* rious, and much given to vanity : yet I have this
c feal in my heart, that the Lord hath a feed in
' that place who defires to ferve him, and that feed

* will furely join with you in your exercife, and you

* will be comforted one in another, and in the Lord.

* And that there are differences among them, is alfo
e true; but they have the more need of being vifit-

* ed by fuch who are, through their wife conduct and
c healing difpofition, likely to heal thofe breaches

* which are, or may be ameng them. Somes indeed,
€ have gone among them and have done hurt, by a

* rafli and turbulent way of management, and by fo

* doing, have rather made the breaches wider, than,

* by a meek and loving, as well as lowly difpofition,
' lefTened their differences, and healed them.

* And, tender Friends, though it may feem hard
c for you in feveral confiderations, to give up to go to

* fea, and alfo to divers who love you, and are nearly
c related to you ; know ye, and fuch fo concerned,

* That the Lord is ftronger than the noife of many

* waters, and than the mighty waves of the fea. And
' I really believe that you, as well as my foul, with
« the fervants of Chrift, have, and will experience

* k to be fo, as David did, whofe words they are.

c I remember

THOMAS CHALK LEY. 141

c I remember the words of our great Lord and
Matter Jefus, when he fent forth his fervants to
preach his word and gofpel ; I fend you forth as
lambs among wolves. No queftion but you, like
innocent lambs, before your return, if it pleafe
God to give you to us again, may meet with the
wolves fpirit, or the fpirit of the beaft, in fome
or others among whom you may travail ; then will
the counfel of Chrift, added to his commiffion, be
good for you to keep clofe to ; Be ye wife as fer-
pents, but innocent or harmlefs as doves.
c And, dear maidens, I look upon it as your crofs
is great, you being two innocent, chafte young
women, to give up your names to crofs the fea,
which I know is a great crofs to a chafte woman,
or man either, the feamen, too generally, being
rude, diffolute people ; fo your crown will be
great alfo. I have known that by keeping near to
Chrift, and his truth and power, there hath been
a wonderful reformation divers times in feveral
of thofe rude featnen ; and fome have been fo far
convinced, as to be exceedingly kind, and to fpeak
well of Friends and their converfation, when it has
been coupled with the fear and wifdom of God.
When I have gone to fea, I always found a reli-
gious and Chriflian concern upon me, for the poor
failors, the good effects of which, have been much
more than I may fpeak of j but give this little hint
for your encouragement and information.
c Well, dear fouls, if you go, I believe the Lord
will go with you ; and fure I am, that my fpirit
will go along with you, which will not hurt you, if
it do you no good. And although my exercifes
and tribulations of late have been very great, both
fpiritual and natural, yet my very heart within me
affects the caufe of Chrift, according to the beftof
my underftanding; and I heartily wifh well to all
my fellow-labourers, who are faithful, painful* fer-

' vants

THE JOURNAL OF -

6 vants of Chrift, and difmterefted, except as to the
f intereft which they defire in Chrift and his king-
4 dom, for the fake of which, they love not their
c lives unto death.

c I muft now take leave, after putting you in mind
c of remembering me, your poor friend and brother,

* when before the throne you are fupplicating the
« Father of mercies in fecret, even as my heart is
( tenderly bowed and broken into tears on your be-
c half at this time. The Lord be with you, and
c fanctify the prefent exercife and concern that is
c upon you, and you to himfelf, with all the faithful
c lovers and followers of the Lamb, through his

* word, whofe word is truth* I am your friend and
c brother, in the fellowship of the gofpel of Chrift
c Jefus our great Lord and good mailer ^ and blef-

* fed are all thofe, who .by their fearing to offend
c him, manifeft him to be their Mailer, and by their
c honouring him, manifeft him to be their Lord*

r. CHALKLET*

In the twelfth month I went to the quarterly-meet
ing of Friends, held at Providence, for Cbefter county*
for difcipline and worihipj which meeting was
large, and a concern came upon Friends at that
meeting to fnpprefs excels in eating and drinking^
and great entertainments at marriages and funerals^
and fpending time idly in tippling houfes -, as alfo
in feveral other things for the well-ordering our io-
ciety, in which appeared great love and unanimity^
The people were reminded of God's love to them in
this land, and many favours were recounted to them,
which he had favoured the inhabitants of the land
with, which were very fingular, and that he expeded
they fliouid bring forth fruits that might be anfwer-
abl^ to the labours of love, which the Lord had be
llowed upon them,

About

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 143

About this time I had it in my mind to write to
one who was confcientiouCy concerned to preach the
goipel of Chrift, but was under great exerciie oa
occafion.

Frankfort^ 24th of the twelfth month, 1724* '

My Friend,

INCE Ilaftfaw thee, and converfed with thee,
thou haft often been in my mind, and thy ex-
ercife has come before me ; and not having an op
portunity to converfe with thee perfonally, I take
this way of communicating my mind, hoping in
Chrift thou wilt reap fome fatisfaction and ad van-
c tage thereby. I think I know thou art concerned
c for Chrift's caufe, as alfo was that eminent minilter
c A'pollos^ yet was inftrufted more perfectly by good'
c Aqulla and Prif cilia. The fubje6t on which I have

* it in my mind to write to thee, is the miniftry of
c the gofpel of Chrift Jefus, which I believe to be

* very different from that which it is generally taken
4 for, in moft parts of the world, by many profeflTmg
c Chriftianity. Firft, The greaceft part of Chriften-

* dom, fo called, calls and elecls their minifters

* themfelves, and will not call them unlefs they have
c fchool-learning, although Chrift called and chofe
4 unlearned men, as to that fort of learning, and the
c apoftles were called, Not according to the will of

* man, but by the revelation of Chrift Jefus. And
c Chrift thanked his Father, that he had revealed the

* myfteries of his kingdom to babes and fucklings,
c And the wife Jews (the Scribes and Pharifees) ad-
€ mired at the apoftles, who fo wonderfully preaclr-
c ed Chrift, and were fo wonderfully carried forth in
c their miniftry, and yet few of them were men of
c learning; fo that the call, election, and wages of

* ChrinYs mini tiers, is fpiritual, and not carnal, and
c therefore their minittry is with divine life and

c power?

144 T H fc JOURNAL of

4 power, by which they are qualified for this fervke
c without either ftudy or premeditation : though it

c is not denied, that Chritl may Ihew a minifler be-

c fore-hand, what he (hall, or is to fpeak, at fuch a

c time or place, as he may fee meet ; but that ftudy-

4 ing or writing fermons, and afterwards preaching,

c or rather reading them to the people, was, or is, the

c practice of the true minifters of Jefus, our great

* Lord and Matter, is denied ; of which, I do be-
c lieve, thou haft a real fenfe.

c I fhall impart to thee fomething of my own ex-
e perience for thy edification in this great work, viz.
4 As in the work of converfion, or regeneration,
c there is a growth and increafe from the ftate of a
c child to that of a man in Chrift, fo in the work of

* the miniftry, or preaching the gofpel, there is alfo
c a growth from a babe to an able minifter-, in all
c which, the power and grace of the holy Spirit mutt
c be our guide, our help, and fupport, keeping

* clofe to which, we fhall increafe in divine wifdom
c and found judgment, and our hearts and under-
c {landings will be more and more opened and en-
c larged. The apoftle Paul faid, When 1 was a
c child, I fpake as a child, underftoocl as a child,
c and thought as a child •, and yet he was an excel-
c lent child of God, and minifter of Chrift -, and as

* he grew in his -gift, and Chnft's grace, he became
c a wonderful, lerviceable inftrument in the hand
c of God. Now a child's ftate in the miniftry is too

* much overlooked by many, fome thinking to be
4 men as foon as they are brought forth into the
c miniftry; and, according to my obfervation, di-
€ vers have been at a )ofs, and fome quite loft, for

want of a patient continuing in well-doing j and
not waiting to feel a growth and increafe from
above, have gone on in their own ftrength and
will, perhaps agairift the advice and inftruction
of a found and honeft Slquila and Prif cilia > and

4 have

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 145

e have been hurt; and fome, who had received a

* gift, have had that fame gift taken from them,
c even by the Lord who gave it them.

c As I take it, a true minifter of Chrift, is to take
c no thought what to fay, but it will be given him in

* the fame hour that which he fhould fpeak to the
c people (that is, in a general way) and if it is not
c given from above, I believe he or {he ought to be
4 filentj for they receive freely* if they do receive
c any thing from Chrift:, and fo they ought freely to
c adminifter; and where little is given, little is re-
' quired, all which is plain from Chrift's own words
c in the New Teftament ; and Chrift's crofs is to be
f taken up by his minifters in their preaching, as
c well as in their converfation.

c It is a praclice which the holy fcriptures have
c not acquainted us with, that the minifters of Chrift:

* fhould take a verfe, or line, out of the holy fcrip-

* tures, and write, or ftudy before hand, a difcourle

* on it, and preach it, or rather read it, to th^ peo-
e pie. The holy men of old (as we read both in

* the Old and New Teftament) fpoke as they were
c moved by the holy Ghoft, and by it they were
c gifted for the convincing, converting, and reform-
c ing the world and for comforting and edifying of
€ the faints; quite contrary to the latter practice of

* modern reading divines, who difpute, write, and

* preach againft the immediate and divine revelation
€ of the Spirit of Chrift, and therefore cannot be of

* his minifters, but muft be the minifters of anti-
c chrift, and minifters of the letter, and not of the
c Spirit of Chrift, or of his gofpeh And where the

* apoftle fays, When I was a child, I fpake as a
c child, I take him to point at the being brought
c forth newly into the work of the miniftry, as well
c as the work of converfion, and that he ufeth thofe
c expreffions by way of comparifon, and therefore I

* compare it thus: A child when it firft begins or

K ' ventures

146 THE JOURNAL OF

€ ventures to fpeak, he fpeaks but a few words, and
' thofe Hammering fometimes, and its judgment is
4 weak, and muft be put upon fpeaking by his

< father over and over, if he be a backward child ;

* otherwife, if he be forward, and fpeaks too much,
( he is curbed by a wife father. And thus, accord-

* ing to my observation, it hath pleafed our hea-

< venly Father to inftrucl his children in the miniftry,
c and as a child in Chrift, I would fpeak a little of
c my experience unto the child, or children of God.

< When I firft felt a neceffity on me to preach the
c gofpel, I had but a few fentences to deliver, in
« great fear and tendernefs, with fome trembling,
c with which my brethren were generally fatisfied
€ and edified ; and after fome time I felt a concern
« to preach the gofpel in other countries, and to other

* nations (than that in which I was born) which to

* me was a very great crofs ; but feeling the woe of
c the Lord to follow me in not giving up to it, I in

* fome time took that crofs up, for Chrift's fake and

* the gofpcl's. And in taking it up, I experienced

* the truth of the apoftle's do'clrine, That the gofpel

* of Chrift is the power of God unto falvation, to
c every one that believech, Rom. \. 1 6. Thus through
c a continual labour and fpiritual travail,! witnefled

* a growth in experience, and an enlargement in

* expreffions and heavenly doctrine; and my heart

* was mightily enlarged to run the ways of God's
« commandments, and divers were convinced, and

* fome, I hope, thoroughly converted, and many

* comforted, and God, through the miniftry of his
c dear Son, glorified, who is thereof only worthy for
€ ever.

c In all which I have nothing to boaft of nor
c glory in, faving in the crofs of Chrift; for what is
c Paul, or ^polios, or Cephas, but inftruments ? (I
c would not be underftood to compare with thofe
c apoftles, but to endeavour to follow them as they

< followed

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 147

*' followed Chrift). Chrift is All in all: He is the

* great Teacher of teachers, and the higheft School-
c mafter of all. And he fays, He that will be my
c difciple^ mud firft deny himfelf, and take up his
c crofs, and follow me*

c We do not find any where in the New Tefta-
c ment, that Chrift's minifters or meflengers were
c only to fpeak or preach to one meeting of people,

* or that they were called or hired by men ; for
c then it would have been neccffary 'man fhould
c pay them •, but Chrift fays, Freely you have re-

* ceived, freely give; and go forth, &c. Matt, xxviiu

* 19, 20.

c And, my friend, I find to this day that it is fafe

* for me when I am miniftring to the people ; when
c the fpring of divine life and power, (from which
4 found truths and edifying matter fprings and flows
4 into the heart or understanding) abates or ftops>

* to ftop with it> and fit down, and not to arife, or
•4 fpeak publicly to the people, without iome fpiri-
4 tual impulfe or moving, and openings.

4 I would have this taken no otherwiiCj but as one
c friend and brother opening their dates and condi-
f tion to another for edification, and the (Irengthen-

* ing each other in Chrift. And as I fear left I
c fhould exceed the bounds of a letter, therefore fhall
c conclude, thy real friend in Jefus Chrift,

4 T. CHALKLEY.*

The 25th of the twelfth month I was at the bu
rial of the wife of Randal Spikeman. It being our
fifth-day meeting, divers fober people were there
not of our perfuafion, and I was drawn forth to fpeak
to the people of the death of Chrift and his merits,
and to ihew them that there is no merit in the works
of man, as he is man, or in a formal righteoufnefs
or holinefs,

K 2 In

148 THE JOURNAL OF

In our yearly-meeting at Burlington^ it was agreed
that the families of friends fhould be vifued, and
foon after our monthly-meeting appointed me, with
other friends, to vifit the families of friends of our
meeting ; in which vifitation many were comforted
and edified, both youth and aged; and we could
truly fay, that the power and grace of God, and the
fweet love of Chrift accompanied us from houfe to
houfe, to our mutual comfort-, and we were fo ex
traordinarily opened and guided to fpeak to the Hates
of the people in their families- (that were unknown
and flrangers to us) that fometimes fome of them
were ready to think that we fpoke by information,
-when in truth we were clear of any fuch thing, and
only fpoke from what was immediately given to us,
without any information from man or woman-, which
to us was fometimes very wonderful, and caufed us
to praife the great name of the Lord.

In the firft month, the general-meeting at Phila
delphia was a folid, good meeting, and ended in a
fenfe of grace and truth, which comes by Jefus
Chrift. Next day, being our week-day-meeting,
our dear friends, Elizabeth Levis and Jane Fenn,
took leave of us, they intending for the ifland of
Barbadoes-, and it was fuch a parting meeting, that
will not foon be forgotten by fome of us then
prefent.

After this meeting I went to Burlington^ to vifit
one that was fick, and under fome trouble of mind
for going aftray, and greatly defired to come into
the right way 5 with whom I had a good, feafonable
meeting to her comfort, and my own fatisfadtion.
Upon this vifit I would remark, that it is a great
pity, that youth, when in health and ftrength, fhould
put off the work of their falvation, and forget the
Moft High, till either ficknefs or death overtake
them. And then, Oh ! the bitter piercing cries
and groans, and terrible agonies the foul is in,

which

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 149

which, by timely repentance, and amendment of
life, might be avoided.

I was afterwards at meetings at Philadelphia^ Me-
riony German-Town, &c. and had fome fervice and
fatisfadion therein. And on the 2d of the fecond
month, 1725, the Friend whom I vifited, as above,
was buried, and the relations of the deceafed fcnt for
me to the burial. The perfon being well-bdoved,
there was a large appearance of people of clivers per-
fuafions, and we had an opportunity at this funeral
to exhort the people to live io as that they might
die well -, and that the way to die in the favour of
God, was to live in his fear: and charity to thofe
who difTent from one another, was prellingly re
commended from the apoflle's words, that, cc If
** we had faith to remove mountains, and to give
cc all our goods to the poor, and our bodies to be
" burned, yet if we wanted charity, we were but
cc like founding brafs, and a tinkling cymbal,"
I Cor. xiii. i, 2, 3. And alfo our belief of the doc
trine of the refurrection of the dead was arTerted, in
contradiction to that grofs calumny call on our fo-
ciety of denying it.

The latter end of the fecond month, I was at a
marriage at HorJJoam (at which was prefent William
Keith, our Governor) and I was concerned to fpeak
of the end of that great ordinance, and of the happi-
nefs of thofe married perfons who fulfil the covenants
they make in marriage, and what flrength and com
fort the man is to the woman, and the woman to the
man, when they keep their covenants, and that they
are the contrary when they break them. And I alfo
opened the methods prefcribecl by our difcipline, to
be obferved in marriages, and our care to prevent
any clandefline marriages amongft us. After this
meeting I returned home without going to the mar
riage-dinner, as I generally avoided fuch entertain-
jnents as much as I could, having no life in, or lik-

ng

?5o THE JOURNAL OF

ing to them, being fentible that great companies
and preparations at weddings were growing incon
veniences among us, the which I was confcientiouQy
concerned to difcourage. And a few days after my
return home, at our meeting at Frankfort, I was
concerned particularly to exhort Friends to keep to
plainnefs in language, drefs, &c. according to the
examples given us in the holy fcriptures, particu
larly that of Daniel and his companions ; and to
caution againil vain and indecent falhions, which
with concern I have cbferved to prevail too much
among forrre who make profeflion with as.

In this fecond month I went to the yearly-meet
ing of Friends at Salem, and by the way had two
meetings at Woodberry-Creek. At Salem we had
a large meeting, and our gracious Lord was with
us, to the bowing many hearts before him, and
many teftimonies were given of the goodnefs, love,
mercy, and the grace of God, and his dear Son our
Lord Jefus Chrift. From Salem we travelled to dl-
loway's-Creek and Cohanjy, and from thence to Elfin-
burgh^ and ferried over the river Delaware, with our
horfes, to Georges-Creek, and had meetings at all
thofe places. At George 's- Creek, one, not a Friend,
came to me after meeting, and faid, e he thanked me
f for my advice and counfel-,1 and feemed heartily
affected with the doctrine of Chrift. From George'' 's-
Creek we travelled to Nottingham, and had a large
meeting on a firft-day, and another very large on
the fecond-day, where were many people of divers
perfuafions. The houfe could not contain us, fo
that we met in an orchard. A folid meeting it was!
wherein the mighty power of the Creator was de
clared of, as alfo the divinity of Chrift, and his man
hood ; and the people were exhorted to be careful
.of forming any perfonal ideas of the Almighty ; for
the holy icriptures do plainly manifeft, that God is
a wonderful, infinite, eternal fpirit, and therefore is

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 151

to be worftiipped in fpirit and in truth, and outward
reprefentations of the Lord Jehovah, borders too
much on idolatry. Pretty much was delivered on
that head ; and I was told after meeting, that divers
Papijls were there, though I knew nothing of it.
From Nottingham I went to Newcaftle, and had a
meeting there, and then vifited a fick Friend, with
which he expreffed much fatisfadbion ; and then went
on to Center, Kennet, and Marlborougb, and fo to the
monthly- meeting at New-Garden, where we had a
large, open meeting, wherein were fhewn, that
thofe who meddled with our difcipline, in the will,
nature, fpirit, and wifdom of man only, could do
but little fervice; and that our difcipline, as alfo
our worfhip and miniftry, ought to be performed in
the wifdom and power of God, through the grace
and Spirit of Chrift. — From New-Garden we went to
Birmingham, had a large meeting, and I was much
drawn forth to the youth, of whom many were
there. From Birmingham we went to the quarterly-
meeting for difcipline and worfhip at Concord, in
Chefter*Countyy which was larger than I had ever feen
there before. In the quarterly- meeting of difci
pline, Friends were exhorted to keep to the crofs of
Chrift, and to fpeak to matters in the fear of God,
and to avoid and fhun, as much as in them lay, felf-
will, humour, pride, and paflion; (hewing that the
rough, crooked, unhewn, unpolifhed nature of man,
couTd never work the righteoufnefs of God, and is
contrary to the meek, felf-denying life of Jefus.
John Salkeld, and Jacob Howe!!, then fignified that
they were going to vifit Friends in Long-Ifland and
Rhode-IJland \ the fenfe of the call, labour, and work
of the miniftry of the gofpel, and of the love of
Chrift (in the freenefs of it) to mankind, took fome
good hold on divers in that meeting; and the great
name of God, and his dear Son, through the holy
Spirit, was glorified.

K 4 From

152 THE JOURNAL OF

From this meeting I came home, having been one
on this journey near three weeks, at twenty meet
ings, and travelled more than 200 miles, and found
my wife and children in health, and we rejoiced to
fee each other; but my rejoicing was in fear, even
almoft to trembling, left I fhould be too much lifted
up when things were agreeable to me.

After my return home, I went to feveral neigh
bouring meetings ; and on a fifth-day was at Phila
delphia^ at the marriage of Richard Smith and Eliza-,
letb Powell. The meeting was large, and the mar
riage folemnly celebrated; and the people were ear-
neftly intreated to love Chrift above all, and to ma-
nifeft that love by keeping his commandments, and
that not in fnew or word only, but in the heart and
affections.

About the latter end of the third month, I went
to the quarterly-meeting of minifters and elders for
the county of Burlington; and from thence to Stony-
Brook •> where, on a firft-day, we had a large meeting,
in Jofeph Wtirttfs barn, which was crowded with
people, and was a folid, good meeting. From Stony-
Brook I went to Crojwicks, and was at their youths
meeting, which was the largeft I had ever feen in
that place. I told them that they might fay as the
fons of the prophets did, That the place was too
ilraight for them, and advifed them to enlarge it.
I was glad to fee fuch a large appearance of fober
people, and fo great an increafe of youth, in this
wildernefs of America, and exhorted them to live in
the fear of God, that his bleffings might (till be con
tinued to them; and an excrcife was on my mind
for the welfare of the young people, to Ihew them,
the danger of fin and vanity, and of keeping ill com
pany, and following bad counfel; and that the young
king Rehoboam (Solomons fon) loft the greateft pare
of his father's kingdom, by following the company
and counfel of vain young menj and that many

young

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 153

young men in this age had loft and fpent the eftates
sheir fathers had left them by the like conduct, and
brought themfelves to ruin, and their families to
poverty and want. Divers lively teitimonies were
delivered in this meeting, and it ended with adora
tion and praife of Almighty God ; and though the
meeting held more than four hours, the people did
not feem willing to go away when it was over : for
indeed it was a folid, good meeting. The bufinefs
of the quarterly-meeting was carried on in peace
and love (that being the mark the difciples of Jefus
were to be known by) and Friends were exhorted
with a great deal of tendernefs to keep that mark.

In this journey I travelled about ninety miles, and
was at four meetings, being from home four days,
and was much fatisfied in my journey; but met with
fome exercife when I came home, hearing of fome
lofTes and damage to my eftate ; fo that I found
after I had, according to my beft endeavours, done
the will of God, I had need of patience, that I might
receive the promife. I was fenfible of the meflenger
of Satan, tile thorn in the flefh, which the apoitie
fpeaks of.

About this time a loving friend of mine informed
me, that one whom I very well knew in Earbadoes>
a minifler of our fociety, had gone into an open fe-
paration, fo as to keep meetings feparate from his
brethren, and contrary to their advice. I was con
cerned in love to write a few lines to him, to remind
him of the unhappy ftate and end of fuch, who, not-
withftanding the brotherly love and kind treatment
of Friends, had feparated from us; and lofing the
fenfe of truth, which had made them ferviceable in
the church, were actuated by a rending, dividing fpi-
rit, by which the enemy of our happinefs had fo far
obtained his end, as to make fome difturbance for
a time; bur few, if any, of thefe feparifts, have had
further power than to promote and maintain their

feparate

i54 THE JOURNAL OF

feparate meetings during their own lives; fuch
meetings having, in every inftance I have known
except one, and that lailed not long, dropped on
the death of the founders. And though we think
it our duty to teftify againft, anc} difown, all fuch;
yet this difowning is only until the perfons offend
ing, from a real ienfc of, and forrow for, their faults,
acknowledge and condemn the fame; then the arms
of Chrift, and of his church, are open to receive and
embrace them. I therefore earnestly befought him
to confider the danger of offending any who love
and believe in Chrift, though never fo little in their
own or other mens efteem ; for we cannot have
true peace in departing from the pure love of God,
his truth, and people-, to which I added the follow
ing fentences out of the New Teftament.

1. <c By this mail all men know that ye are my
cc difciples, if ye have love one to another/' John
xiii, 35. Don't lofe this mark.

2. t4 We know that we have paffed from death
<c unto life, bjecaufe we love the brethren. He
" that loveth not his brother, abideth in death."
i John iii. 14.

3. te He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for
.« God is love," iv. 8.

4. " He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God,
cc and God in him," — 16.

About the latter end of the fourth month I was at
a meeting at Abingdcn^ occafioned by a burial: and
in the beginning of the fifth month, I was at a mar
riage m Pbiladelfbiai and was foon after, on the
firft-day, at two meetings at Gtrman-fown,' where
I went to vifit a Friend, who had not for fome
months been at meeting, being in a difconfolate
condition. I invited her to meeting, where the love
and goodnefs of Chrift to the poor in fpirit was
largely manifefted; and the Friend after meeting
faid Hie was better, and afterwards recovered, and

kept

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 155

kept to meetings. I was frequently at the week
day meetings at Philadelphia; for I thought that
week, not well fpent, in which I could not get to
week-day meetings, if I was in health.

In this month I was at the burial of George Calverty
who wns one of a fober life, and juft converiation ;
and being well-beloved by his neighbours, he left a
good report behind him. Soon after which I was
at Merion meeting, which was large and folid: The
people were tenderly exhorted, that neither outward
favours, nor fpiritual blefiings, might make them
grow forgetful of Gods but that in the fenfe of the
increafe and enjoyment thereof, they might be the
more humble; and forafmuch as the Chriftian church
in former ages was corrupted by temporal riches and
power, it was intimated, that as we had favour
Ihewn us from the government, and increafe of out
ward things, we fhould be very careful not to abufe
thofe privileges, by growing proud and wanton, or
envious and quarrelfome j but " to dojuftly, love
" mercy, and walk humbly with God."

In this month I was at Middle t 'own, in Bucks
county, at the burial of my dear and intimate friend,
John Rutlidge, who died very fuddenly; at which
burial there were above 1000 people. He was well-
beloved among his neighbours, and was a ferviceable
man where he lived. I admired to fee fuch a num
ber of people upon fo fhort notice, he dying one day
in the afternoon, and being buried the day follow
ing: Divers teftirnonies were borne concerning the
wonderful works and ways of God. It was a folid
bowing time, wherein many hearts were broken,
and melted into tendernefs. After meeting, a
young man came to me trembling, and begged
that I would pray for him, for he had fpent too
much of his time in vanity, and had flrong con
victions on him for it, and had been greatly afFedt-
jpd and wrought upon that day, I exhorted him to

deny

156 THE JOURNAL or

deny himfelf, and to take up his crofs and to follow
Chrift, who hath faid, He would in no wife caft off
thofe who came to him in true faith. He went
from me very tender and loving, being broken in
his fpirit.

From thence I went to Gwynneddy or North-Wales,
where on the firft-day of the week we had a very large
meeting. In the morning of the day, a voice awoke
me, which cried aloud, faying, REWARDS AND

PUNISHMENT FOR WELL AND EVIL DOINGS ARE SEAL
ED AS AN ETERNAL DECREE IN HEAVEN, which Con
firmed me that mankind were happy or unhappy in
that world which is to come, according to their
deeds in this life. If their deeds be good, as Chrift
faid, their fentence will be, 'c Come ye blefied j"
if their deeds be evil, " Depart from me all ye that
<c work iniquity, and go ye curfed," &c. <c And,
<c if thou doft well, fhalt thou not be accepted ?
*c and if thou doft not well, fin lieth at the door."
And again, " I have no pleafure in the death of the
<c wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way
<c and live." Thefe, with many more texts of the
fame nature, contained in the holy fcriptures, are
contrary to the doctrine of perfonal election and re
probation, as fome hold it. We had a meeting alfo
in the afternoon of the fame day, which was fatis-
factory to many; our hearts being filled with the
love of God, for which we thankfully praifed him.
The next clay we had a meeting of minifters, in
which they were exhorted to wait for the gift of the
holy Ghoft, without which there can be no true mi-
nifter or miniftry. I was concerned to put them in
mind to keep clofe to Chrift, their holy, fure guide
and bifhop; to be cautious of going before, left
they fnould mifs their way; and of flaying too far
behind, for fear we fhould lofe our guide: and to be
careful to keep a confcience void of offence to
wards God, and alfo towards man; that we- might

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 157

fay to the people truly, Follow us, as we follow
Chrift; that our converfation might confirm and
not contradict our doctrine •, for our Saviour fays,
" By their fruits ye fhall know them; men do not
cc gather grapes of thorns/' &c. And of fuch as
fay, and do not, he charged his followers not to be
like them, Matt, xxiii. 3. The next day we had an
other very large meeting there, in which many
things were opened and declared, tending to efta-
blifh and build us up in our faith in Chrift. After
this meeting, parting with my friend John Cad-
<wallader, who had accompanied me, I came home
ward, lodging that night at Morris Morris's, whofe
wife was veiy weakly, with whom we had a tender
time.

The 9th of the fifth month I was at the general-
meeting at German-fawn, which was a large and
good meeting. Going home, I went to fee Richard
Buzby, who was not well : he faid the company of
his friends revived him. Next day I went to vilit
Jane Ereintnall^ who was feized with the dead palfy
on one fide; and the Lord was pleafed to comfort
us together, as Die expreffed to our mutual fatis-
faction.

On the joth of the faid month was our quarterly-
meeting of minifters at Philadelphia, where humble
walking with God was recommended and prayed for,
and it was defired that minifters might be exemplary
therein, having Chrift for their pattern.

On the firft of the fixth month, I was at our
meeting at Frankfort, which was a dull meeting to
me and divers others-, a lively exercife of fpirit be
ing too much wanting among many, and clofe walk
ing with God in converfation. If we would really
enjoy the love and prefence of Chrift in our reli
gious meetings, we ought to keep near to him
in our daily converfation, which that we might

do

158 THE JOURNAL OF

do, was humbly defired in {application and prayer
to God.

The young man who came to me under great
concern of mind after the funeral of John Rutlidge,
wrote to me that he was followed with the judg
ments of God for his manifold tranfgrefTions, defir-
ing that I would pray for him. In anfwer to his
letter, I wrote him to the following effect:

Frankfort, yth of the fixth month, 1725.

e rriHINE from Burlington of the 26th of the fifth

c JL month I received, by which I perceive the

4 hand of the Almighty hath been upon thee for thy

4 vanity and folly •, and I defire that thou may be

€ very careful to keep dole to that hand, and do not

c go from under it, but mind the light of Chrift

c that hath difcovered God to be great and good,

4 and his dear Son to be thy Saviour, and fin and

* Satan to be evil-, which evil, if thou follows it,
' will certainly bring thee to deftruction and eter-

* nal woe: but if thou follows Chrift, and walks ac-
4 cording to that light by which he hath manifested
c fin to be exceeding finful, in his time, -as thou
c waits in patience, he will bring thee through his

* righteous judgments unto viclory.

c Wait, O wait in patience upon God, if it be all
c thy days! I will bear the indignation of the Lord,
c becaule I have finned againic him, faid the pro-

* phet Micah. Again, All the days of my appointed
c time will I wait till my change comes, fays Job.

4 Thou art young in years, and young in experi-

* ence in the work of grace, wherefore advife with

* folid good men, if thou meets with inward or out-
' ward (traits and difficulties, for the enemy will noc
« eafily let go his hold which he hath had of thee;

* therefore walk circumfpedtly, and Ihun evil com-

( pany«

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 159

pany. As to praying in a form of words, without
the Spirit helps, in order to open them according
to thy ftate and condition, that will not avail:
A figh or a groan, through the help of the Spirit,
is much more acceptable to God, than any forms

c without it.

c That in the Lord's time thou mayeft enjoy the

* reward of peace, is the defire of thy friend,

< f. CHALKLET:

The young man took this counfel well, and kept
to meetings, and behaved ibberly for a time, but
afterwards ran out, kept bad company, took to
drinking to excefs, ran himfelf in debt, and at length
into a gaol; which hath been the unhappy cafe of
many unftable youths, who, cc When they knew God,
<c they glorified him not as God, neither were thank-
" ful, but became vain in their imaginations, and
*c their foolilh hearts became darkened."

In this month I was at By bury and Abingdon meet
ings, in which we were favoured with the immedi
ate power and prefence of Chrift, to our great com
fort and edification, the vifitation of divine love to
the youth having a good effect on fome of them ;
and the latter meeting ended with praife to the Al
mighty, after fupplications for all men, from our
king on the throne to the meanefb of his fubjecls.

In my travels I met with a perfon who queried of
me, how he fhould know which fociety had moft of
the holy Spirit, fince moil of the profefibrs of Chrift
do believe in the holy Ghoft, or Spirit.

To whom I made the following anfwer, viz.

Let the rule of Chrift determine this queftion ;
he fays, " By their fruits ye (hall know them : Do
<c men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thirties ?"
Mat. vii. 1 6. The fruits then of the fpirit of Chrift
are love, faith, hope, patience, humility, temper

ance,

160 THE JOURNAL OF

ance, godlinefs, brotherly-kindnefs, and charity'
with all manner of virtue. Therefore the fociety
of Chriftians, who brings forth moft of the fruits
of the holy Spirit, confequently have moft of ChriuVs
grace and Spirit. But fome object and fay, We will
not believe that any fociety have the holy Ghofl novvy
or the immediate revelation or infpiration of the
Spirit, unlefs they work miracles* To which it is
anfwered, That right reformation from fin, and true
faith in Chrift, cannot be wrought without a mira
cle ; neither can we bring forth the fruits of the
Spirit without the miraculous power of Chrift. —
Men by nature bring forth the works of nature, and
that which is contrary to nature is miraculous. Sin
is natural, but divine holinefs, or the righteoufnefs
of Chrift, wrought in man, is fpiritual/fupernaturalj
and miraculous. And as to natural men, that are
in a (late of nature, feeing outward miracles, if they
will not, nor do not believe what is written in the
holy fcriptures of the Old and New Teftament*
neither will they believe, although one were to rife
from the dead. Notwithftanding Chrifb wrought:
outward miracles, and did the works which none
other could do; though he cured all manner of
dileafes, and fed many thoufands with a few loaves,
and a few fmall fifties, and what remained, when all
had eaten, was more than there was at nrftj though
he raifed the dead, and himfelf arofe from the
dead, yet few, but very few, believed in him, fo as
truly to follow him. His birth, his life, his doc
trines, his death, his refurrecYion, are all miracu
lous : and fince all this was done in the perfon of
Chrift, and at the firft publication of his religion
to men, there is now no abfolute neceffity of out
ward miracles, though his power is the fame now
as ever : but he faid to his difciples, ct> He that
«c believeth on me, the works that I do fhall he
" do alfo, and greater works than thefe fhall he

" do,"

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 161

' do,' John xiv. 12. Upon which -W. Veil fays,
This mud be underftood in relation to fin ; for Chrift
had no fin in himfelf to overcome, but we all have
finned, and to overcome fin is the greateft of mira-
cks. This will try the notional or nominal Chrif-
tian, who fays, We can never overcome fin in this
world. Where then is our faith in the Son of God,
who for this purpofe was manifefted, that he might
deftroy the works of the Devil, John iii. 8. Heb. ii.

14.

Therefore let not Chriflians be flow of heart to be
lieve in the glorious gofpel of Chrift ; and if we truly
believe therein, and live in the practice of his doc
trine, we (hall fee miracles enough to fatisfy us for
ever.

The 1 6th of the fixth month I was at the weekly-
meeting at Frankfort, which, though a fmall meet
ing, was fweet, reviving, and comfortable, to fome
of us ; fo that we had a Sufficient reward for leaving
our bufinefs, it being the time of our hay harveft.
Week-day-meetings are much neglected by many,
more is the pity. The apoille's advice is necef-
fary for men in our age, even of profefled Chrif-
tians, viz. " Let us confider one another to provoke
" unto love and good works, not forfaking the af-
<c fembling yourfelves together, as the manner of
" fome is." Heb. x. 24, 25.

The 23d of the fixth month, my cart-wheel,
being iron-bound, ran over me, and my horfe
kicked me on my head ; the wheel put my fhoulder
out, and the horfe wounded my head, fo that the
fcull was bare, and my leg was forely bruifed ;
the fame day Dr. Owen and Dr. Graham, with the
help of two of our neighbours, fet my fhoulder
and drelTed my wounds ; and the Lord was fo
merciful to me, that the next day I was enabled to
write this memorandum of this wonderful deliver
ance and fpeedy cure, for which, added to the many I

L have

162 THE JOURNAL oP

have received from his gracious hand, I have occa-
fion to be truly thankful : I was obliged to keep at
home fome time, and thought it Iong3 becaufe I
could not go to meetings as ufual ; but many Friends
came to fee me, which was a comfort to me. One
day upwards of thirty perfons came from feveral
parts of the country to fee how I did, and were glad
I was like to recover. The day before I was fo hurt-,
being the firft of the week, I was at meeting at
Philadelphia, and was concerned to fpeak of the un
certainty of life, and the many accidents we are in
cident to in thofe frail bodies, and exhorted Friends
to live fo, that they might have a confcience ferene,
and clear of offence towards God and man, and then
they might expecl: the comforts of the holy Ghon\
which infuch feafons of difficulty, would be a great
help and benefit to them, of which I had the fweet
experience the next day, under great extremity of
pain ; and though the pain of my body was fuch,
that I could not for feveral nights take my natural
reft, yet I had comfort through the fweet influence
of the holy Spirit, which Chrift promifed his follow
ers, John xiv. 16.

Oa the i8th of the feventh month, began our
yearly-meeting at Philadelphia, which was large, and
our Friends John Wanton and William Anthony, from
Rhode-IJland, and Abigail Bowks, from Ireland, had
good fervice therein. From this meeting an addrefs
was fent to king George, for his royal favour to us as a
fociety of people, in giving his afient to a law made
in this province for prefcribing the forms of declara
tion, affirmation, &c. inftead of the forms hereto
fore ufed.

The beginning of the eighth month, being a lit
tle recovered from my hurt, I had a defire once
more to fee my friends on the eafteln fhore of
Maryland, at their general-meeting at Chop tank.
The firft day I fet out, I travelled about thirty miles,

and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 163

and at night was very weary, being but weak in
body, and I was almoft ready to faint in my mind
abouc proceeding any furthers but next day George
Robinfon, at whofe houfe I lodged, offering to accom
pany me, we travelled about forty miles to Saffafras
river, and both of us, though much tired, were com
forted in each others company and converfation.
On the next day we travelled near twenty miles to
the general-meeting in Ccecil county in Maryland,
where we met with two Friends from Rhode- I/land,
and two from Pennfylvania, who were there on the
like occafion. The meeting was large and quiet,
many people being there not of our own fociety, and
were very fober : the meeting held feveral days,
wherein the gofpel-difpenfation was fee forth, and
the love of God in Chrift was exalted. From
Ctecil we went to Chefter river, and had a meeting
there, at which the people were exhorted to come
to Chriit, the eternal rock, and true foundation,
and to build their religion on him, again ft whom the
gates of hell can never prevail ; and they were fo
much affected, that they did not feem forward to
leave the houfe after the meeting was over. From
Chefter river we went to ^red-Haven^ to the general-
meeting of Friends for Maryland, which was very
large \ fome Friends from Pennfyfoanta and Virginia
being alfo there, and many people of other focie-
ties : many teftimonies were borne to the operation
of Chrift by his Spirit in the foul, and Fnends were
earneftly defired to be diligent in reading the holy
Scriptures, and to keep up the practice of our whole-
fome difcipline ; by the neglecl of which, a door
would be opened to loofe living, and undue liberties.
From ^red-Haven we travelled into the Greai-Fcreft*
between the bays of Cbefapcak and Delaware, and
had a fatisfaclory meeting ; as yet there was no pub-
lick *neeting- houfe in this place, wherefore I told
the people of the houfe, I was obliged to them for

L 2 the

1 64 THE JOURNAL o*

the ufe of it; but they tenderly anfwered, they were
more obliged to me for my kind vifiting of them 5
and truly we had a folid, good meeting there : the
people being generally poor, they had but little no
tice taken of them by the money-loving teachers,
who preach for hire. From the Foreft I went to
Little Creek) in the territories of Pennfylvania, where
was a general-meeting for the counties of Newcaftle,
Kent, and Suffex. The meeting was large, and
Friends parted in great love and tendernefs. And
I went forward to Duck Creek, where we had a meet
ing; divers perfons of note being there, and all were
quiet, and heard with attention. From Duck-Creek
1 went to George* s-Crceky and had a meeting, where
a man of a ibber converfation, faid, That he never
heard things fo fpoken to before; but that he could
witnefs to the truth of all that was faid. It was a
good meeting before the conclufion ; but 1 was very
low and poor in my fpirit in the beginning of it.
From this place we fet forward to Newcaftle, where
we had a meeting; it was the time of the fitting of
the general aflembly, and feveral members of the
houie v/ere at meeting. The governor, who has
from our firft acquaintance been very refpectful to
me, hearing that I was in town, fent to defire me to
tarry, all night in Newcaftle-, but being engaged to
a meeting over the rivers Cbrifline and Brandy wine,
and it being near night, I could not flay, but went
away that evening, and fent my love to him, defir-
ing to be excufed. That night I lodged at John
RicbardfotfSy and next day went to George Robinfons
at Newark, where we had a meeting on a firft-day,
and on fecond day another at Providence ; and went
from thence to Derby, to vifit our worthy aged
Friend Thomas Light foot, who lay very weak in body,
none expecting his recovery; I called as I went
from home, and then he was very ill, and told me,
' He thought that illnefs would conclude his time

' in

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 165

c in this world/ but faid, c that all was well;' and
likewife, c that he had a great concern upon his
c mind for the growth and profperity of truth in the
c earth/ and defired with tendernefs of fpirit, 'that
c I would give his dear love to all friends/ and he
now faid, c I never thought to fee thee more, but
< am glad to fee thee/ 1 ilaid there all night, and
in the morning we had a comfortable heart-melting
time together, in which was revived the remem
brance of the many favourable feafons of God's love
we had enjoyed in our travels in the work of the
miniftry of the gofpel of Chrift, and we tenderly
prayed, if we never met more in this world, we might
meet in that which is to come, where we might never
part more, but might for ever live to fing with all
the faints and holy angels, Hallelujah to God and
the Lamb. From Derby I went to Philadelphia
third-day-meeting, and from thence to my houfe,
where my dear wife and children with open hearts
and arms received me, and I them with joy -, at
which time I had a gracious reward of peace for my
labour of love, which far exceeded filver or gold.
In this journey I travelled above three hundred
miles, had nineteen meetings, and was from home
above three weeks, in which time I recovered of
my lamenefs to admiration ; fo that I had with fa-
tisfa6tion to remember the apoftle's faying, that
" All things work together for good to them that
" love God," Rom. viii. 28.

After my return home, I was at the general-meet
ing at Frankfort; and in the beginning of the ninth
month, I was at meetings at Abington, German-Town,
and divers times at Philadelphia, particularly at the
youths meeting, wherein feveral teftimonies were
borne, and the youth exhorted to piety and humiU
lity.

On the fifth-day of this month in the morning,
being under a confuieration of the many fore exeiv

L 3

i66 THE JOURNAL OF

cifes and trials I had met with from my childhood,
I was much affedted ; but the following portions of
fcripture being brought to my remembrance, afford
ed me fome relief, viz. 4C Whom the Lord loveth
" he chafteneth. And if ye be without chaftife-
cc ment, ye are baftards, and not fons. And in this
<c world ye fhall have trouble, but in me peace.'*
So that I patiently bore my affliction, and praifed
God under it.

In this month I was at the funeral of our worthy
ancient Friend Thomas Light foot. He was buried at
Derby; the meeting was the larger! that I had ever
feen at that place. Our dear Friend was greatly be
loved for his piety and virtue, his fweet difpofition,
and lively miniflry : the Lord was with him in his
life and death, and with us at his burial.

After this ' burial I was at one atdbington; the
meeting was large, and on that occafion, feveral
things fuitable to the ftates of the people were treat
ed on.

I was alfo about this time at German-^ own, and at
a general-meeting at Plymouth, to my great fatisfac-
tion, being accompanied by my ancient Friend Row
land Ellis ; and at the third-day meeting in Phila
delphia, at the time of our fall-fair; there were
fervent defires, and prayers, in feveral of us, that
the youth might be preferved from the evils too pre
valent at fuch times of liberty and prophanenefs.

About the 2Oth of the month I went for Long-
Ifland) being drawn in true love to make a general
vifit to Friends there ; and likewife having fome bu-
fmefs to tranfacl there. On the fifth-day of the
week, Thomas Mafiers and I fet out frorrv Frankfort,
and in the evening we got to a Friend's houfe near
the falls of Delaware, where we were kindly enter
tained, and our horfes taken good care of: to take
due care of travellers horfes, is a commendable
thing, and more grateful to fome travellers, than to

take

THOMAS CHALKLEY. i67

take care of themfelves. From the falls of Delaware
we travelled next day to Pifcattaway, and lodged at
an inn ; and on the next day we went to Woodbridge*
to John Kinfey'sy and on firfl-day we had a fatisfac-
tory meeting there with Friends and others ; and the
next day John Kinfey went with us to Lo;jg-IJland, and
that night got to John Rodman $, and next day we
reded, being weary with travelling fo far in the cold.
Our dear friends in that iiland very lovingly, and
kindly received my vifit to them •, fo that I had
pccafion to remember that faying of the holy Scrip
ture, " As iron fharpeneth iron, fo doth the counte-
" nance of a man his friend !"

The fifth-day of the week we had a large meet
ing at Flujhing) and another in the evening at Qba-
diah Lawrence's, which was an open, tender time.
From Flujhing we went to Cow-Neck, to Jofeph La
tham §> who went with me to Weftbury meeting,
which, confidering the cold, was much larger than I
expected. From WSeftbury, Nathaniel Simmons , Samuel
Underbill, and Phebe Wlllet> went with us to Betb-
page, where we had a comfortable evening meeting
at the houfe of Thomas Powell, who went with us nexc
morning to a town called Setawket -, it was as cold a
day's travel as ever I went through in all my life ; the
wind was in our faces, and northerly ; I do not
remember, though I had been a traveller above
thirty years, that ever I endured fo much hardnefs
by cold in one day -, my chin and jaws were much
affected with the froft for feveral days ; but we had a
good meeting that made up for all. After which we
went ten miles to Amos Willet's houfe, where we had
a fcrvtceable meeting: he invited his neighbours,
who came and received us, with hearts full of good
will *, and thofe not of our fociety, were well fatisficd
with the meeting; fo that we went on our way re
joicing, that we were favoured with the good prefence
of God in our journey. Amos Willet and his wife

L 4 went:

168 THE JOURNAL OF

went with us to Huntington, where we had a quiet,
peaceable meeting, and the grace of our Lord Jefus
Chriil was with and among us, as many can witnefs
that were there. From hence we went to Samuel Un
derbill's, and vifited his weak brother; in which vifit
the Lord mightily refreshed us together, and we blef-
fed his holy name, for he is good to all them who put
their trull in him. Next day we had a large meet
ing at Matinicock. After this meeting we went to
Thomas Pearfall's, and had an evening meeting at his
houfe. The next day, being a fnowy, ftormy day,
and one of the fhorteft in the year, we went, being 1 8
in company, to Cow-Neck^ where we had a good
meeting, and much larger than could be expected.
After meeting we went to Jofeph Latbam'sy and had
a tender, open evening-meeting there, in which we
were edified, and refrefhed, in Chriil Jefus. From
Cow-Neck I went to Flujhing, had a large meeting
there on the firft-day of the week, and on fecond-
day we went over the found, which divides Long-
I/land from the main continent, to Horfe-Neck^ and
had a meeting, where I underflood there never had
been one before -9 the people were fober and atten
tive, and fome expreflfed their fatisfadion. That
evening we had a meeting at an inn near Byram ri
ver, where divers people came, and were attentive ;
the inn-keeper? his father, brother, wife, and feveral
others, took our yifij: very kindly •, though there was
one refllefsman, who feemed to be out of order with
drink before he came into the houfe, and when we
were fitting in filcnce, waiting for the gift of Chrift,
and worfhipping in fpirit, as Chriil inftituted, he
fitting by me, jogged me, and faid, < It was time to
* begin, for there is as many come as would corne to
€ night;* though he was miflaken in that 5 but he
cot having patience to watch and pray, went away;
after which we had a good meeting. Thefe two
meetings were in the government of Connecticut,

where

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 169

where they formerly made a law impofing a fine of
five pounds on thofe who fhould entertain any of
our fociety, which law, I was informed, was repealed
in Great- Britain. From thence we travelled into
New-Tork government, and had a meeting at Rye,
and another at Marrineck ; from thence we travelled
to Weft-Cbefter> and had a meeting there on a fixth-
day of the week, intending to go over the ferry next
day to Long-IJland :, but the wind being high and
boiilerous, that we could not get over ; we tarried
three nights at the houie of John Stephenfon, where
we were lovingly and generoufly entertained ; and
on firft-day we were again at Weft-Cbefter meeting,
which ended comfortably, though I was in a low
Hate, both of body and mind, in the beginning of
it. On fecond-day we all got well over the ferry
to Long-IJlandy parting with our friends at the ferry
in much love and good- will. Jofepb Latbam having
been my fellow-traveller on the main, I went to his
houfe, and from thence to Weftburyy to a large meet
ing, and next to Betbpage, and had a meeting there,
and in the evening, accompanied by Samuel Eowne
and Jofepb Latham, I went to Jerufalem, and had a
large and fatisfactory meeting : many of the people
of the town, who were there, came the next day to
our meeting at Hempftead* which was large; the
great Lord of all was good to us that day, which, I
hope, many that were there, will not forget; and
fome convincement was wrought on fame that were
of account in the world at thefe la ft- mentioned
meetings, particularly one who lived at Jerufakm9
-with tendernefs of fpirit deiired my remembrance,
whom 1 pray God to preferve, with all thole who
love and fear him, arid believe in his Son, to the
end.

From Hempfiead I went to Matinicock, where on
$ firfi-day of the week, we had a- large meeting,
gnd a folidj good opportunity it was , and from

thence

170 THE JOURNAL OF

thence to Thomas Townf end's on the plains, at whofe
houfe we had an evening-meeting; next morning
a pretty many Friends from, the plains, went with us
to the fouth fide of the iiland, to a place called
Rockway, where we had a meeting at Hicks's, the
neighbours coming to it pretty generally -3 there was
great opennefs to receive the doclrine of truth in
thofe not of our fociety, and they were very kind
to us in thofe parts : this was the fecond meeting I
had been at in this place, 'Benjamin Holmes having the
firft there, fince which they had not been vifited by
any Friend of the mini dry except myfelf. From
Rockway we went to Fofter's meadow, where was a
large gathering of people, and Chrift filled our hearts
•with divine love. From thence I went to Peter Titus9 s,
and had a meeting at his houfe, to which came the
neighbours, and were well affeded; and next day
we had a meeting in the meeting-houfe at l¥eftlury>
which was very large, and to. our fatisfadtion. From
Weftbury^ in the evening, we went to vifit a young
\voman who had been in a defpairing condition for
feveral years. The family came together, and we
put up our prayers to the Almighty, in the name of
his dear Son ; it was a good time to us all ; and the
young woman, and fome others, exprefled their fa-
tisfaction.

This evening we went to fee another young wo-*
man who was in a deep confumption, but in a very
comfortable flare of mind ; having a great defire to
fee me before fhe died, Ihe fent for rne to come to her,
and her defire was anfwered, her fpirit being revived
with a frefh vifitation of the love of Jefus Chriit, the
holy Phyfician of value, and our fupplications were,
that the Lord would be pleafed to be with her, and
fupport her to the end, and grant her an eafy paflage
from this life to his glorious kingdom, when it fhould
pleafe him to remove her ; which prayer we have
caufe to hope was anfwered.

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 171

Though the days were (hort, we rode about fifteen
miles, and made thofe two vifits, after that great
meeting at Weftlury, and the feafon was exceeding
cold; but our great and good Mailer fupported us,
and was with us in our exercifes and fervice for his
name and truth's fake. I lodged this night at Jofspb
Rodman's, and was next day at Flufbing .week-day-
meeting, which was very large and fatisfaftory, and
had a meeting the fame evening at Samuel Bowne's,
and the next day went to New-York, and had a quiet
o-ood meeting in the evening at Samuel Harrifons,
and on the morrow had an evening-meeting at a
place called the Kills, at the houfc of Richard Hallet,
and the next day, being firft-day, had a large meet
ing at New-Town, to the edification of Friends and
other fober people.

It being now generally known that I was on the
ifland, the people flocked to meetings, though the
weather was extreme cold, for the Lord manifefted
himiclf in the riches of his love unto us in our meet
ings for the worfhip of his holy name. The next
meeting was at James Jackfon9^ at Rocky-Hill, where
was judge Hicks, the high (heriff, and a juftice of
peace, with feveral other perfons of note, with whom
and our Friends, we haJ. a good time to fet forth the
work of grace and reformation, as I think, to general
fatisfaftion, for which we bleffed the holy name of
God ; and humble prayer was put up to him for all
men, and particularly for our king George, as alfo for
all in authority under him, and that they might be a
terror to evil-doers, and the praife of them that do
well. The next meeting we had was at Jamaica^
which was alfo large, and feveral in authority were
there, and were very loving and reipe&ful after meet
ing. The next firft-day we had a large meeting at
the meeting-houfe at Cow- Neck, which was fomewhat
crowded. I was right glad, though my exercifes were
very great, that there Vas fuch opennefs and room in

peoples

172 THE JOURNAL OF

peoples hearts to receive the doctrine which I had to
declare unto them, in the name and power of Chrift ;
afterwards we had an evening-meeting with the wi
dow Titus, to which divers Dutch people came, and
were very attentive and fober. On the third of the
week we had a meeting near the place called Hell-
gate, a narrow pafTage in the great found or bay,
between Long- I/land and the main land, feveral
juflices and their wives were at this meeting, one of
which had difowned his fon, and turned him out of
doors for coming among us -, but beholding his fon's
fober converfation, grew more moderate, and after
meeting he and his wife invited us to dine with them,
but we were engaged to vifit the widow Stevens that
evening, at whofe houfe we had a meeting. Going
thither, it being very cold and ftormy, my hands
were touched with the froft, and perceiving it when
I came to the fire, I called for a bafon of cold water,
which foon cured them : I note this that others may
reap benefit thereby. Next day we went to the week
day-meeting at New-Town, and on the fifth-day at
Flufhing meeting, which was large, and to edification,
and in the evening had a meeting at our ancient
Friend Hugh Copperthwaifs, which was acceptable to
him, as himfelf expreffed when it was ended, and to
us alfo. Next day we had a very large evening-meet
ing at Thomas Pearfair$> and likewife a large, good
meeting the day after, being firfl-day, at Matinicocky
wherein the kingdom of Chrift was exalted, and the
deformed ftate of fin and iniquity reprefented, and
the example and doctrine of Chrift clofely recom
mended, in order to the overcoming fin, this being
not only poffible, but the duty ofChriftians through
the power of Chrift, and true faith in his holy name ;
and the danger of believing, that it is impofilble
to overcome fin, was opened to them, and that fuch
a belief is contrary to, and againft Chrift and his
doftrine, and darkens and blinds the hearts of men ;

but

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 173

but the love of Chrift enlightens the foul, and
flrengthens it to believe, that all things are pofiible
with God, for this great work cannot be done in the
will, wit, and power of man, but through the power
and grace of Chrift, which he promifed to true be
lievers in him. I was faint after this meeting, but
refting a little I foon grew better, fo that we had an
evening-meeting at James Cock's, where one came and
told us, we muft not eat any flefh, and produced
Thomas Try on s works for his proof; but I took the
bible, and Shewed him a proof to the contrary, and told
him, we were refolved to believe our book before his,
and fhewed him from the apoftle, that the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink, nor divers wafhings,
but righteoufnefs, peace, and joy in the holy Ghoft,
Romans xiv. 17. Though at the fame time, according
to the doctrine of Chrift and his apoftles, I was for
temperance in meats and drinks, as well as mode
ration in apparel. The next day we had a very large
meeting at Oyfter-Eay^ many being there, who were
not of our fociety, who fteadily gave attention to
what was declared : here being many young people,
they were perfuaded to give up their blooming years
to do the will of God, and to remember him their
Creator, in their youthful days : Friends faid, there
had not been fuch a meeting there a great while, for
which opportunity I was humbly thankful to the Lord.
After meeting we went to Samuel Underbill's, and had
an evening-meeting with his brother, who, through
ficknefs and lamenefs, could not get out for a long
time. Next day, Samuel Bowne being with me, we
went to vifit a young woman that was weak in body,
but lay in a comfortable frame of mind ; ihe was
thankful for our vifit, and faid the vifits of her Friends
were comfortable to her. Next day, being the
fourth-day of the week, we had a meeting at the
widow Taylor's, who defired it on account of her
father, who was in the 88th year of his age, and fo

infirm,

174 THE JOURNAL OF

infirm, that he could not get to meetings ; he was
very clear in his underftandin-g and memory, and was
much refrefhed with this meeting, as were divers of
us alib. Next day we had a meeting at' Flujhing>
which was large and open, and the grace and power
of Chrift was with us in the miniftration of the gof-
pel. After this meeting, we had an evening. meeting
with our ancient Friend Jofeph Thcrne, who by rea-
fon of his age and infirmity, could not go abroad as
far as to the meeting. The houfe was crowded with
his neighbours and friends, and we had a folid,
good time together. While at Flujhing I went to
vifit a young woman who was a moil difmal fpedlacle
to behold, an object of great pity : her face, hand
and foot being much eaten away by the king's evil ;
our prayers were, that now in her great mifery, the
Almighty would be pleafed to fupport her foul by
his grace and fpirit, and fanclify her afflictions to
her, that it might work for her a more exceeding
weight of glory in that world which is to come.
The next firll-day we had a large meeting at Fluflj-
ingy where many weighty truths were opened to the
fatisfaclion and edification of the auditory, and in
the evening we had a meeting with the wife of Mat
thew Farringtcn> who was too weakly to go abroad ;
the neighbours came in, and we had a~feafonable
opportunity. The next third-day was the youths
meeting at Flujhing^ in which we were concerned to
exhort them to obedience to God and their parents,
and to follow their parents as they follow Chrift •, for
where any leave Chrift, there we are to leave their'
example, though they were our fathers or mothers ;
and the right honouring of our parents was fet forth,
and they exhorted not to defpife the day of fmall
things; and the happy ftateofthe obedient, and the
unhappy ftate of the difobedient, and many weighty
truths were delivered to them in that meeting by
feveral experienced Friends.- From Flujhing I went

to

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 175

to the week-day-meeting at New-Town, and in the
evening we had a meeting at the widow Way** ', the
neighbours coming in, we had a good time with
them : the parable of the ten virgins was treated of,
and the great difadvantage of wanting the divine oil
of grace in our veffels, was fhewn to them.

The next day, being the fifth of the week, we had
a very large fatisfaclory meeting at the widow Aljups
at the Kills, and from thence with feveral Friends
went to New-York, where we had three meetings to
our edification, the weather dill remaining extremely
cold, but we felt the love of Chrift to warm our
hearts, and though I think I never felt it colder, I
never had my health better. Several Friends accom
panied us to the boat at New-York, the water being
open on that fide, we took our leave of each other,
and put out for the other fhore ; but before we got
there we were blocked up in the ice, and it was a con-
fiderable time before we could work our way through,
but at laft got well on Long-IJland, where I waited
fome hours for company, who through fome difficul
ty got on (bore ; after which we went to the Narrows,
through a ftonn of wind and fnow, but the wind be
ing high, we could not get over that night, nor the
next day, the ice having come down and filled the
bay : when the tide had drove away the ice, we put-
out and got well over, and lodged at the ferry-houfe
on Staten-IJland. Next morning we went to the
ferry at the Blazing-Star, over againil Wcodbridge,
but it was all fattened with ice, and we not daring
to venture over it, went to the ferry at Amboy, and
got comfortably over $ (laid there that night, and
next day went to Trenton, and lodged at Captain
Gould's, who treated me very kindly, I being much
tired with travelling. Next morning I went over
"Delaware river on the ice, as we had alfo the day
before t&Rariton, and that, day, being the 5th of the
twelfth month, I got fafe home to my loving ipoufe

and

THE JOURNAL OP

and tender children, where I found all well, arid a
hearty reception, having travelled 600 miles, and
attended above 60 meetings.

After having been at home, and at our own meet
ing at Frankfort, I went to the quarterly-meetin« at
Philadelphia, where Friends were glad to fee nw»

On the next fifth -day I was at the marriage of
Thomas Mafters and Hannah Dickinfon, where "were
many fober people, not of our fociety.

Having been lately among Friends at Long-IJland^
and been comforted in the many opportunities we
had together, it came into my mind to vifit them
with an epiflle at their quarterly-meeting at Flufb-
ing, which was as foUoweth.

Frankfort, twelfth Month, 1725.

My dear and well beloved Friends,
TQELIEVING it might be acceptable to you
1 JL> to hear that I was got well to my habitation
: in luch a difficult time of the year as I let out from
c you in; and alfo feeling the fweet influence of the
' divine love of the heavenly Father, and his dear
Son our Lord Jefus (Thrift, to arife and fpring in
c my heart and flowing towards you.

c It came into my mind to write a few lines to the

< quarterly-meeting of Friends at Flujhing, by way of

' epiftle, well knowing alfo that many of us are as

' epifdes writ in one anothers hearts by the heavenly

1 finger^ of the moft High ; and thofe characters

r of divine love fo written will not eafily be erafed.

r I could willingly have been at your quarterly-

r meeting, but that I had been fo long from my

: family, that I was much wanted therein, and my

coming home was feafonable and acceptable, both

to them and my friends; and I humbly thank the

Lord, 1 found all well. Now that which is on my

4 mind

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 177

f mind to your quarterly-meeting, is after this man-
e ner, concerning the government of the church of
c Chrift, of which church He is the holy head and
c lawgiver. Wherefore we are to feek and wait for
c counfel and wifdom from him, in all our monthly
c and quarterly-meetings, for the well ordering of
* our little fociety, which is growing and increafing
' in the earth, and alfo in your ifland, notwithftand-
c ing the invidious attempts of fome men of corrupt
c minds, and it will grow and increafe more and
f more as we keep our places, our heavenly places in
< Chrift Jefus.

c Dear Friends, The good order of truth and go
vernment of Chrift in his church, is a great help
to us and our children, when carried on in Chrift's
Spirit (pray obferve or mind that) for if our order
and church-government, be carried on in thefpirit
of man, as he is meer man, though he is never fo
crafty or cunning, it will do more hurt than good
in the church of Chrift. Chrift's Spirit muft go
vern Chrift's church 3 and when, and where that
is over all, then, and there, Chrift's church and
kingdom is exalted, of whofe kingdom and peace
there will be no end; and happy will all thofe be,
whofe end is in it. Mofesy that man of God, go
verned in the Jewijh church in the Spirit of God,
and when he found the work too heavy for him,
the Lord put his Spirit on feventy more, who were
help-meets in the government ; fo that it was
God's Spirit that governed ; and while that ruled
them, all was well ; but when they went from that,
they fell into error and diibbedience; and at length
the Mejjiah came, and he governed his own little
flock himfelf ; and when he afcendecl up on high,
he promifed his Spirit fhould be with, and in his
church for ever, and be their holy guide into all
truth, in which he would alfo comfort them : and
Chrift fulfilled this his promife; for when his dif-
M c ciples

THE JOURNAL OF

ciples waited at Jerufalem to be endued with power
c from on high, according to the advice of their

* Lord, they were filled with the gift and grace of the
holy Spirit : and when the brethren and elders met

* together about the affairs and government of the
c church, they^gave forth rules and orders from that

general-meeting to the particular ones; and the
holy Ghoft prefided amongft them, which they
fignified to the other meetings, faying, It feemed
good to the holy Ghofr, and to us, to put you in
mind of fuch and fuch things. And while this
holy Ghoft, or Spirit, governed in the primitive
Chriftian church, all was well : God and Chrift
was glorified, and his church and people edified -,
but by going from that, the apoftacy came in.
* Wherefore, dear Friends, keep clofe to the Spi-
rit, power, light, and divine life of Chrift Jefus, in
your monthly and quarterly-meetings for the go-
vernment of the church, as well as in your meet-
ings for the worfhip of the Almighty $ for if we go
from that, he will go from us.
c And, dear Friends, the teilimony of Jefus, in
the fpirit of prophecy, opens in me after this man-
ner, That if our fociety keep and live up to the
Spirit and truth of Chrift, which hath been mani-
felted to our fore-fathers, and to us alfo in this age.,
the great Lord of all will profper his work in our
hands, and blefs both us and our children, as we
and they keep therein.

< And as we have kept clofe to this our heavenly
guide, how hath the Lord fweetly manifefted his
love and power to us in our meetings for the well-
ordering of our fociety ? which many times hath
filled our hearts with pure praifes, and holy
thankfgiving, to the high and lofty One, who in
habits eternity, and dwells in the higheft heavens,
and is light fur ever : to whom, wTth the Lamb
of God, who takes away the fins of the world, I re-

( commend

t
THOMAS CHALKLEY. 179

* commend you, my dear and well-beloved Friends,
c brethren, and fitters in Chrift, with my own foul,

«r. CHALK LET:

€ P, S. Since my return, I have been thankful to
c God for the many favourable vifitations and good

* opportunities he was pleafed to grant me with you,
c and divers fober people on your ifland, in which
c there is an open door among many to receive the

* teftimony of truth. I commend your nobility in
c building good houfes, and making room for your
c fober neighbours to fit with you in your meetings ;

* this is of good report concerning you, both far and
c near, and if I apprehend right, there is more work
< of that kind for you to do. I thought often, when
c among you, and now alfo, that there would be
c a large gathering, if there were a houfe built at
c the upper-end of the Great Plains, not far from

* Fofter's meadow ; but every one may not think or
c fee alike ; though I know fome folid Friends a-
c mong you, thought the fame with me, about the
c profped of a large gathering there-away, if a houfe
« were built; to which Friends, and well-inclined
c people, might come from Hempftead, Rocky-Hill,

* Rockwav, Fofters Meadow, &c.

< T. c:

After my fervice on Long- Ifland, I had great
fvveetnefs upon my fpirit for fome time, which
fometimes caufed my heart to fing for joy •, and yet
I rejoiced in a trembling frame of ipirit, and had the
true fenfe of what is written in the holy Scriptures,
where it is faid, Serve the Lord with fear (I take it,
filial fear) and rejoice with trembling, for fear of
lofing that precious fenfe of the love of God, which
is in Chrift.

M 2 Oa

THE JOURNAL OF

'^

On the 2oth of the twelfth month, the firft-day
of the week, I was at Aldington meeting, in which
the love of Chrift was manifefled to us, in the open
ing of his faying, « If I be lifted up, I will draw all
" men unto me," Johnxii.ji. The next day I was
at German-Town, at the burial of a fon of Dennis Cun-
rad, at which alfo was our Friend Abigail Bowks. On
the fixth-day following, I went to the general-meet
ing of minifters and elders at Burlington, where I again
met with our faid Friend and divers others : the firft-
day-meeting was large-, and on fecond-day was the
quarterly-meeting for the county; and on third-
clay was their youths-meeting, which was large, and
many weighty truths were delivered in that meeting.
On fourth-day we were at a meeting at Springfield;
the houfe was pretty much thronged, and Friends
were exhorted, thankfully to commemorate the mer
cies and favours of the Almighty to them, and de-
fired to enlarge their meeting- houles as their number
increaied ; for in thofe parts there was fuch an open-
neis in the hearts of the people, and increafe of
their number, that Friends had already agreed on
building two meeting-houfes between Crofwicks and
Burlington; their zeal and unanimity therein, was
worthy of commendation. Fifth-day being the
week-day-meeting at Burlington, Friends of the
town defired I would flay at it; I thought we had
juft before had divers good opportunities, and my
own inclinations feemed to lead to my family ; but
Friends being defirous of my Haying, I did fo, and
we had a good, folid meeting. After meeting a
folid good Friend faid, < He thought we had the beft
4 wineatlaft;' and indeed the love of God, through
Chrift, is fo fweet to his people, that the laft often
feems the beft, when it is only a renewed vifitation
of the fame love to his children. So I went home
rejoicing that I was in fome good meafure account
ed worthy to ferve fo good and fo gracious a mailer.

On

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 181

On the 6th day of the firft month, being the firft
of the week, I was at the morning and afternoon
meetings in Philadelphia, wherein thofe who call
themfelves Free-Thinkers, were exhorted to be careful
of drinking too freely, left they might juftly be called
free-drinkers j for many times fuch, when they drink
too freely of ftrong liquor, think and fpeak too free
ly their own corrupt notions, to the difhonour of
God, and to the fcandal of religion in general.

Soon after I was at the firft-day meetings at Phila
delphia; and in this month I went into the Jerfeys,
and was at three large meetings in company with
Abigail Bowles, in v/hich our faid Friend had good
fervice, to the comfort of Friends, convincing of
gainfayers, and confirming the weak, and the people
were glad of our vifit.

The 1 5th day of this month I was at Burlington*
at the burial of my good Friend and old acquaintance
Abraham Bickley, at whofe funeral were great num
bers of people, he being well-beloved of his neigh
bours; ChriiVs r^lCing Lazarus out of the grave, and
his tendernefs and weeping there, was fpoken of, m
order to ftir people up to a tender, religious exercife
of mind, which is too much wanting among many ot
the profefibrs of his holy name, who have too little
fenfe of that which fhould bring true tendernefs
over their minds/being more in earth than heaven ;
fo that they are dry and barren, as to the things of
God. The meeting ended, to fatisfadion, with fup-
plications to the Almighty.

A few days after, I was at our general iprmg-
meeting in Philadelphia, which was large ; where our
Friends Robert Jordan and Abigail Bowles had good

fervice.

This week I was at four very large meetings at
Philadelphia, Frankfort, and Abington, much to my
fatisfadion, though I had no vocal fervice therein ;,
vet my heart was broken into tendernefs and sears,

M « under

i82 THE JOURNAL OF

lander the miniftry of feveral weighty, folid teftimo-
nies that were borne by good and living minifters,
qualified to preach the gofpel in the demon ftration
of the Spirit, and with power.

The 26th of the firft month, 1726, I went to Ger-
9nan-(Town meeting, which was large, and I was open
ed therein to fpeak of the vifion of the prophet Eze-
kiel} of the holy waters which proceeded from under
the threfhold of the fanduary, which the angel mea-
furing, they grew deeper and deeper, until they be
came a river to fwim in, Ezek. xlvii. 5, Which myfti-
cally fheweth the work of grace, converfion, and re
generation ; and that thefe holy waters the foul mud
drink of, and be wafhed, and baptized in, are fpiritual
and fupernatural, and therefore not to be meafured
by the fpirit and will of man, in his natural ftate, ac
cording to the prophet Ifaiab, chap, xxxiii. 21. Man
before he can fwim therein, tnuft be dripped of all his
felf-righteoufnefs, and artificial religion, though as
fplendid and beautiful as a gallant Ihip, or galley
with oars, which in this refpecl: is agreeable to the
ftate of men fwimming in elementary water, where
the moft fkilful have fometimes loft their lives, for
\vant of being naked or uncloathed ; and thofe who
had not yet attained much experience, were advifed
not to go out of their depth, but to wait in patience
and humility, to enjoy the medicinal virtue of the
trees growing by the fide of this river, whofe fruit
is for meat, and leaves for medicine, Ezek. xlvii. 12.
The people of this meeting were generally Germans>
feveral of whom (laid in the houfe after the meeting
was over, and were broken into tendernefs, in a,
fenfe of the prefence and love of God unto us, for
which I was alfo humbly thankful and bowed in
Ipirit.

I was at the third-day weekly-meeting in Philadel
phia, which was but fmall, confidering the large num
ber of thofe profefllng to be of our fociety in this

city 5,

THOMAS C H A L K L E Y. 183

city 3 thofe prefent were clofely and tenderly exhorted
to be zealous for good works, and againft bad
works; not refpecYmg the perfon of any man; the
abominations committed by fome under our profef-
fion, in this city and province, calling for humilia
tion ; and as the promife of God's favour was to thofe
who mourned with fighs and cries for the abomina
tions among his people formerly, Ezek. ix. 4, 6. fo
now, as many as are under the fame concern, may
hope for prefervation and falvation, if he fhould in
like manner vifit us, as at this time he doth fome of
our neighbours; there being a great ficknefs and
mortality in fome of the adjacent places.

In the fecond month I vifited the meetings of
Friends at Haver ford, New-Town, Radnor^ and Merlon,
which meetings confift chiefly of ancient Britons,
who are a religious, induftrious, and increafing peo
ple; among whom my fervicewas, as they expreffed,
to our mutual fatisfaclion. After my return home,
I went to vifit Friends at the Falls of Delaware, and
was at a large meeting in their new meeting-houfe.
After a fatisfadtory meeting at Frankfort, on the fifth-
clay of the fame week, I went with Ennon Williams
to his fon's marriage; and the next day he, and fe-
veral other Friends, accompanied me to Woodberry-
Creek, and had a good, open meeting, and that night
went to James Lord's, and next morning went to
wards Salem, and lodged at JJaac Sharp's •, where I
was informed of a great mortality at Cohanfey. The
24th of the fecond month was the general-meeting at
Salem, which was a large gathering of people of dif
ferent perfuafions, from many parts of the country,
where the doctrine of the gofpel was preached in great
love to the people, which they heard with folid at
tention. From Salem I went to Allow ay'*- Creek and
Cohanfey, and had meetings there : 1 was informed
that more than fevenry perfons had lately died here of
a malignant diftemper, though it feemed to abate,

M 4 none

THE JOURNAL OF

none dying while we were there. At Cohanjey the
meeting was large and folid, though but few of our
fociety there ; and they were earneftly admonifhed
to a proper difpofition of mind, to fit them either
for life or death, and reminded of the regard of the
Almighty to fuch as live in his fear, who will have
peace in their death, and their exchange will be
glorious, when they are taken out of this life ; but
with the wicked it is not fo.

From Cohanfey I went through the wildernefs over
Maurice's river, accompanied by James Daniel,
through a miry, boggy way, in which we faw no
houfe for about forty miles, except at a ferry, and
that night we got to Richard Fownfend's, of Cape
May, where we were kindly received ; next day we
had a meeting at Rebecca Garrifon's, and the day af
ter a pretty large one at Richard Townfevd*^ and then
•went down to the Cape, and had a meeting at John
Page's, and next day another at Aaron Learning 's;
feveral exprefied their fatisfaction with thofe meet
ings. I lodged two nights at Jacob Spicer's> my
wife's brother.

From Cape-May we travelled along the fea-coaft
to Great-Egg- Har four > had another meeting, much
larger than the firft, at Rebecca Garrifon'$y and here I
\vas much concerned to promote the fettling a month
ly-meeting, for the well-ordering the affairs of our
fociety.

We fwam our creatures over Egg-Harbour river,
and went over ourfelves in canoes, and afterwards
\ve had a meeting at Richard Summers'^ which was
as large as could be expected, considering the
peoples living at a diflance from each other.

The next meeting we had at Jobn Skull's -, and on
firft-day we had a large one at Peter White $> and on
fecond-day at Jacket Leed's, and then we went five
miles through a marfh to Little- Egg-Hair bout river,
and had a meeting in their meeting-houfe on the

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 185

fourth day of the week, and nth day of the
month, which was the larger by the addition of the
owners, mafters, and mariners, of two Hoops from
New-York, who, hearing of the meeting, came to it.
And the next day we had another meeting at the
fame place, and lodged at Jar vis Faro's. After thefe
two meetings I left Egg-Harbour, accompanied by
feveral Friends from thence, and travelled about forty
miles, before we came to any houfe. In trie evening
we reached a Friend's houfe, where we were kindly
entertained, and next morning we got to Burlington,
and fo home, where I found ail well, and was there
fore thankful to the Almighty. In this journey I
travelled about 300 miles, had o.i meetings, and
was from home about three weeks.

In the third month 1 ftaid at and about home,
vifiting the meetings at Philadelphia, German-Town,
Abington, and Frankfort.

In the fourth month I left my family, and went
back in the woods as far as Oky. I was from home
nine days, travelled about one hundred and fifty
miles, and had fix meetings at Oky, Perkiomen, and
divers other places, chiefly in barns and open places,
there being large companies of people, and few meet-
ing-houfes yet built in* thofe parts of the country. In
this journey I fuffered pretty much through the heat.
The fir ft meeting was at the iron-works, fettled a
little beyond a place called Mount Mifery ; I was
concerned for thofe people, having heard of their
rude doings before I left tny habitation; and al
though fome were rude, others behaved themfelves
foberly, and exprefled their thankfulnefs for that vi-
fitacion, as I do for the opportunity I had of clearing
myieif to them. On my return homewards I crofTed
Schuykill, and went to Samuel Nutt's iron-works,
where 1 had a large, quiet, folid meeting : and the
next day I called to fee my old friend David Mere-
ditb3 who being about 89 years of age> I thought it

probable

i86 THE JOURNAL OF

probable I might not have another opportunity of
feeing him. He met me with gladnefs, and told me,
It was their meeting-day ; fo that I ftaid, and was
much comforted and tendered by the power of Chrift j
after which I came home that night.

On the next fail-day, after my return, I went to
Philadelphia, and, after the afternoon-meeting, to
Derby, and from thence to a yearly-meeting in Chefttr
county, held at Gofloen -, though the feafon was wet,
this was a large, good meeting; at which there were
three young men, who were lately called to the work
of the miniftry, whom I was glad to hear declare the
truth in the power and fimplicity of the gofpel of
Chrift, being of the mind of Mofes, when he faid, in
anfwer to Jofoua, " Would God that all the Lord's
" people were prophets, and that the Lord would
<c put of his Spirit upon them," Numb. xi. 29.
After this meeting I went to Springfield, and the next
day returned home.

On the 22d of the fourth month I went to the
marriage of John Leigh's daughter, at Springfield, in
Chejter county : the meeting was large, and I was con
cerned to fpeak moftly to the young people, advifing
them to feek the Lord in that great affair of mar
riage, that they be careful how, and on whom they fet
their affections, and not to draw out one another's
minds if they did not intend an honourable marriage ;
and reminding them of the ill tendency of courting
feveral at a time, or fuffering feveral to court at once;
and that they be chafte and true in their proceedings,
duly regarding the advice of the apoftle, cc Be not
<£ unequally yoked ;" for to be fure all fuch mar
riages are unequal, when thofe who marry are of
different principles in religion. The meeting ended
with tender fupplication for prefervation through
whatever exercifes, further troubles or trials, tempt
ations or afflictions, we might meet with in the world,
that we might end well at laft, and live for ever to

praife

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 187

praife and glorify God and the Lamb, who through
the holy, eternal Spirit, is worthy for ever.

On the receipt of the laft letter from my dear
father, which I fometimefi'ice mentioned, I was ap-
prehenfive it might be his laft, which it proved to be,
for the next letter from my dear brother gave me
intelligence of his death, which T received the 25th
of the fourth month this year. The news of my dear
father's deceafe took fuch hold of my mind, though I
daily expected it, that for fome time I was hardly fo*
ciable. Oh how have I been fometimes comforted in
his loving and tender epiftles! at the receipt of
which I have cried to the Lord, that if it pleafed him,
I might have a double portion of the Spirit which he
gave to my father: out oh ! now I muil never hear
more from him in this world; yet in this I have
fome inward comfort, that I hope we (hall meet
where we (hail never part more. Here follows a
part of my affectionate brother's account of my fa
ther's death and burial.

Edmonton, 25th of the firft month, 1726.

Dear brother,
* fnp\ H I S comes with the forrowful account of

< JL our dear father's deceafe, who departed this
« life the 7th inft. after having been indifpofed about
« a fortnight. I have herewith lent a particular ac-

< count of fome remarkable paffages, and his laft
« expreflions in his ficknds ; that part relating to his
« convincement, he defired fhould be committed to
« writing, which I have done, and fent it to thee.

4 I was with him feveral times in his laft illnefs,
c and moft of the two lafl days of his life, as thou
« mayeft perceive by the contents. Our worthy fa-

< ther was honourably buried on the, nth inft. being
c carried from his own houfe to the meeting-houfe at

accompanied with his relations, where

was

i38 THE JOURNAL OF

c was a large meeting of many people, as many as

c the meeting-houfe conld well contain, and many

c teftimonies were there borne to the innocent, ex-

e emplary life, integrity and honeft zeal of our dear

* father, fo concurrent and unanimous, that I have
c hardly known any fuch occafion more remarkable.
c He was accompanied from thence to the grave
c very folemnly, and there in like manner interred,
f where a further teftimony was given to his honeft
c life and converfation, and lively zeal for the holy
' truth, whereof he made profeftion.

c Dear brother, though it be a forrowful occafion
c of writing, yet herein we may be comforted, in

* confideration that our father went to his grave in
€ peace in a good old age : he had his underftanding
' and memory to the lad in a wonderful manner. I
« believe, as I have fometimes laid, that he embra-

* ced death as joyfully as ever he did any happy ac-
c cident of his life: 1 remember one pafTage of his
c chearful refignation : finding him fine and cheary
c when I came to fee him, a week before his deceafe,
' and he fhewing me how well he could walk about
c the room, and would have went out of it, though
c he was very bad the day before, fo that I faid,
c Father, I hope thou wilt get over this illnefsj but
c he anfwered me pretty quick and loud, No, but I
c do not though. It is not long fmce he was at my
c houie, and was chearful and well, but fpoke as if
' he thought it would be the laft time. My wife
c faid, Father, thou may eft live fome years ; but he
4 replied, Is it not better for me to die, and go to
« Chrift ? So, dear brother, with dear love to thee,
< my filter, and thy dear children, and our relations,
c I conclude with earned defires for thy health and
c welfare/

Thy affectionate brother,

GEO, CHdLKLET.

My

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 189

My Brother's Account of my Father's Convince-'
meat, and of his laft Sicknefs and dying Words.

c My father was born of religious parents at Kemp-

< ton, near Hitching, in Hertford/hire^ the ift of the
c ninth month, 1642 ; his father's name was Thomas

< Chalkley, by trade a dealer in meal, by profeffion
c of the church of England, and zealous in his way,
f as was alfo his wife.

6 They had four fons and three daughters, fbomas,

< John, George, and Robert-, Elizabeth, Sarah, and
« Mary. My father, being the third ion, was con-
' vinced very young, at a meeting by Enfield-Cbacs-

< Side, near Winchmore-Hill, through the powerful

< miniftry of William Brend, who was an eminent

< minifter in the Lord's hand in that day, and had
c been a great fufferer for his teftimony in New-

< England. He was preaching, as 1 heard my fa-
« thcr feveral times fay, upon the words of the

< preacher,' Ecclef. xi. 9. cc Rejoice, O young man,
" in thy youth, and let- thy heart chear thce m_ the
" days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy
<c heart, and'in the fight of thine eyes; but know
« thou, that for all thefe things God will bring thee
" into judgment." « Upon which fubjedt he ipoke

fo home to my father's ftate and condition, that he
was convinced, and two others of his companions
were reached and affecled with the teftimony of
Chrift's truth and gofpel ; my father and two young
men had been walking in the fields, having religi
ous converfation together, and were providential
ly directed to the meeting, by obierving fome
Friends going to it, whom they followed thither.
One of his companions was Samuel Pledges, who
lived and died a faithful Friend, at whofe houfe in
fucceeding times a meeting was fettled, and is

c there

190 THE JOURNAL or

c there continued, and a meeting-houfe built at this

* day at Mims in Hertfordjbire.

c My father was the fir ft of the family who re-
c ceived the teftimony of truth as it is in Jefus, after
« which his father and mother were convinced, and

* all his brothers and lifters, who lived and died

* honeft Friends, except one who died young, con-
c tinuing in the church of England per fusion. Soon
' after the convincement of my father and his two

* companions aforefaid, they met with a trial of their
c faith and patience; for being taken at a religious
« meeting of Friends, they were all three committed

* to the New Prifon in Wbitechafel, where having

* continued prifoners for fome time, the magiftrates
' obferving their Chriilian courage, boldnefs and
c innocency, and being touched with tendernefs to-

* wards them, considering their youth, they difcharg-

* ed them.

' My father, about the 25th year of his age, mar-
c ricd my mother, a virtuous young woman, who was

* the widow of Nathaniel Harding, a Friend, who died
' under the fentence of banishment for his profeflion
c of Chriftj the above account I had from my fa-

* ther's own mouth j what follows fell within my own

* obfervation.

* My dear father met with great exercifes and

* difappointments in his early days; he, dealing in
c his father's bufinefs, fold meal to fome who broke
c in his debt, which brought him low in the world,
c in which low eftate he was an eminent example of
c patience, refignation and induftry, labouring with
c his hands for the fupport of his family, and con-
c fcientioufly anfwered all his engagements ; fo that
c it may be juftly faid of him, he was careful that he
c might owe nothing to any man but love; and far-
c ther, he was very conftant in keeping to meetings,
' being a good example therein, though in very hot

* times of perfecution j for when Friends were fore-

My

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 191

4 ly and feverely perfecuted on account of keeping
c their religious meetings, and the prifons filled
c with them through the nation, and their goods
c taken away, and much fpoil and havock made
€ about the years 1680 to 1684, my father conftant-
c ly attended meetings, and never miffed, as I re-
c member, when well j and though he was fome-
c times concerned to fpeak by way of exhortation to
c Friends in their publick meetings, when they were
c kept out of their meeting-houfes, by the then
c powers, to (land faithful to the truth, and teitifying

* of the folid comfort and fatisfaclion thofe had who
c truly waited on the Lord, which the faithful en-

* joyed, notwithftanding their deep and many fuffer-

< ings for Chrift's fake, and his gofpel, it pleafed the

* Lord to preferve him by his divine Providence,

* that he did not fuffer imprifonment, though the

< wicked informers were very bufy in that time of
c fevere perfecution. I may farther add, that when

* my father was about 60 years of age, he had a con-
c cern to vifit Friends meetings in the north of Eng-

* land, and fome other parts of the nation -, and in
s the 75th year of his age, he travelled to Cbefter*

< and from thence, in company with James Bates, a
c publick Friend of Virginia, went over for Ireland ;
c in all which fervices he had good fatisfadtion, and

* was well received of Friends-, divers other jour-
c nies and travels he performed not here noted -, but

< this journey into another nation at 75 years of age,
s fliews his age had not quenched his love and zeal

* for his Lord's work and fervice.

' In our father's old age he was attended with
c very great exercifes. About the 77th year of his

< age, as he was aflifting his men in the dufk of the

* evening, he miffed his footing, and fell down and

* broke his leg; and foon after his leg was well, he
c met with another accident by a fall, which dif-

* abled him, and -made him lame to his death, never

c recovering

THE JOURNAL OF

c recovering the hurt he had by that fall, which was
K after this manner -, he was fitting in a chair by his
c door on a plank, which not being fee fad, it fell,
c and he, to lave himfeff from the flroke pftheplank,
r fell with his hip on the (tones, and got hurt ex-
< ceedingly, notwithftandinghe was remarkable for
r his activity 5 he would walk, though fo aged, and
c alfo lame, as far as the Work-houfe, Devcnjbire-
c boufe, and Bui! and Mouth meetings, two or three
f miles from home. The lad bad accident that be-
c fel him, was about three weeks before his death,
r when being walking in the timber-yard, a fingle
' plank, which flood againft a pile, fell down, and
1 Unking him on the fide, threw him down ; he
c complained not much of the blow till about a week
c aftei, when he was taken with a violent pain in his
fide, on the very place where he received the
ftroke, and, when his cough took him, with which
he was often troubled, the pain was very great;
c howbeit, through means of a fear-cloth hereceiv-
< ed feme cafe, and the pain of his fide abated, and
r the cough went off; but a violent flux followed,
' and it brought him very low, and extreme weak,
r fo that it was thought he could not continue lono- ;
c ugon which, notice was fent to me, and I went^o
f fee him, and found him very low ; but he revived,
« and changed often in this lad illnefs j 1 havin^
' been to fee him five or fix days before, having an
e account he was ill, 1 then found him chearful, and
f thought he might recover. He continued all the
c time of his illnefs in a patient and refigned frame
' of mind ; on a firft-day in the afternoon he took
his bed, being the 6th of the firft month, and in
: the evening, after the afternoon meeting wnich
f was the day before his death, feveral Friends came
; to vifit him, who, finding him very weak, after a
little (lay, went to take their leave of him, whom
he defu-ed to fie down, and after fome time of

i filence,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 193

filence, he broke forth in declaration in an intel
ligible and lively manner, to this effect, faying,
We have no continuing city here, but feek one to
come, which hath foundations, whofe builder and
maker is God : Friends, that we may all labour
to be prepared for our lad and great change, that
when this earthly tabernacle lhall be diflblved, we
may have an habitation with the Lord, a building
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, and
that it might be thus, the Lord hath Ihewed thee,
O man, what is good, viz. To do juftly, love mer
cy, and walk humbly with thy God. I do not ex
pect but this will be the laft night I fhall have in
this world, and I defire it may be remembered, as
the words of a dying man (which came to pafs, for
he died the next day) O that we may labour to be
clothed upon with our houfe that is from heaven,
fo that when the finifhing hour comes, we may-
have nothing to do, but to die. About one or
two o'clock the next morning, he began to change,
and defired to fee me, and I came to him, and
found him very fenfible, but expected his end
quickly to approach ; he faying, he was waiting
for his change. My fon-in-law, Samuel Thornton^
being with me, and we fitting by the bed-fide,
with his nurfe, his houfe-keeper, and his man,
about the fourth hour in the morning he prayed
fervently after this manner : Lord, now letteit
thou thy fervant depart in peace, for mine eyes
have feen thy falvation, which thou haft prepared
before the face of all people, thou haft given thy
Son, a light to enlighten the Gentiles^ and to be the
glory of thy people Ifrael ; and now, Lord, be
with thy people and fervants, and preierve my near
and dear relations, and keep them from the fnares
and temptations of the enemy, that in thy truth
they may fear thy great name,

N < After

194 THE JOURNAL OF

< After a little time of filence, he defired me to
c remember his dear love, in the life of Chrifl Jefus,

* to my dear brother Thomas Chalkky, in Pennfyhania,

* and to all his old friends and acquaintance.

c About the eleventh hour in the morning he en-
c quired how the tide was, which no body prefent

* could exactly tell ; fome time after he afked again ;

* his man then went out to fee ; returning, he told

* him, it would be high-water about three o'clock
c in the afternoon -, he then lay (till a while, and af-

* ter fome paufe fpoke chearfully out aloud, fo that
c all in the room might hear him, I fhall go off abouc
€ fives his man faid, Mafter, how doft know? to

* which he anfwered, Know, I do not know, but I

* believe it. After this the apothecary, one of his

* neighbours, among whom he was well beloved,

* about noon came to fee him, and afked him how
c he was ; father anfwered, that for three or four

< hours in the night he thought he fhould have
c gone. Why, faid he, fir, it will be no-furprize to
c you, I hope. No, no, faid my father very chear-
4 fully. He taking leave of father, faid, The Lord
>c be with you. To whom father anfwered, and with
c thee alib. The doctor having ordered him a com-
f fortable cordial to drink, he drank it willingly,
-' and then faid, I do not think to drink any more in
c this world; but I hope I (hall drink plentifully of
'* the river of life: then drawing near his end, find-

c ing his ftrength fail, there being a "cord by his or-

< der at the bed's feet, he raifed himfelf up thereby,
c as long as he had any ftrength left in his hands, and
'c when his hands and fhoulders failed, and his head,

* when lad lifted up, he fpoke very low and faulter-
>c ing, yet fo as I could underfland, and faid, Now I

c am a going; and about an hour after, laying all the
•*• while without figh or groan, departed this life as
c in a (lumber in fweet peace, according as he had

* foretold, juft as the clack ftruck five, in a perfect

; enjoyment

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 195

c enjoyment of that legacy our Saviour left his fol-
c lowers j My peace I leave with you, &c. leaving
c us of the fucceeding generation, a good example
c to follow; who, as he lived, fo he died, like a

* lamb, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, the fe-
c venth day of the firii month, 1725.

< GEO. CHALKLET:

To which account I fhall add the following fhort
teftimony concerning my dear and greatly beloved
father, George Chalkley, viz.

c I have a great deal in my heart, more than I
c can write concerning my dear father's life, it hav-
c ing been a wonderful life to me from my youth
c up ; his early care of me, and counfel to me>

* when I was too thoughtlefs and wild, melts me in-
6 to tears now in the remembrance of it •, and my
c tender mother was a partner with him in the fame
« exercife, and fhe died in like peace : the lait

* words I heard her fpeak, were, I long to be diflbl-
c ved. And as to my tender father, I would record
c a little briefly in memory of him, that he was,

* i ft. A true and faithful fervant of Chrift.

c ad. A tender and affectionate hufband : I lived
c at home with my parents about twenty years, and
' I never heard, that I remember, an angry expref-

* fion between them, only once fomething had trou-

* bled them, and they both wept, my father faying,
c I have been an indulgent hufband unto thee, and

* my mother anfwered, I have not been one of the

* worft of wives to thee ; which were the harfheft
c words, and the greateft difference that I obferved
c between them j for their life was a life of peace
c and love, and they were an excellent example to
c us their children. Oh ! may we follow them
c thereinto the end.

N 2 3d- He

THE JOURNAL o *

f 3d. He had a fartherly care for his children, in
tender prayers for us, and in good advice to us,
and in giving us learning according to his ability,
arid teaching us, by his example, as well as precept,
induftry, humility, and the true religion of our
blefTed Saviour, endeavouring to plant it in us be
times, and to deftroy the evil root of fin in us,

c while young.

c 4th. I was his fervant, as well as his fon, and I

c can truly fay, his fervice was delightful, and his

* company pleafing and profitable to me, and he was

* alfo beloved much by his other fervants.

' fth. He was univerfally beloved by his neigh-
c bours, and I do not remember any difference be-

* tween him and them, in the many years I lived

* with him ; but all was peace and love.

1 6th. He was very loving to his relations, and
< true to his friends, and a hearty well-wilher and

* lover of his king and country.

« T. CHALK LEY/

Our general-meeting at Frankfort, the 3oth of the
fourth month was large, our Friend William Piggot,
from London^ being there (in the courfe of his vilit to
Friends in America) and had dole work and good
iervice in this meeting.

In the fifth month, 1726, I vifited the meetings
•of Friends at Philadelphia, German-Town, and Bybury,
in fome of which meetings, as alfo at our own at
Frankfort, I had very comfortable fatisfadtion : my
teftimony was pretty fliarp fometimes to tranfgref-
fors, and therefore fome of them hate me, as the Jews
did my great Matter : becaufe I was concerned to
teftify, that their deeds were evil, and to excite my
friends to manifeft a Chriftian zeal, by openly deny
ing ungodly men, while they continue in their un
godly works j but when they become truly peni
tent,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 197

tent, and reform their lives, the arms of Chrift, and
his church, will be open to receive them.

Being under fome melancholy thoughts, becaufe
fome perfons, for whom I wifhed well, and to whom I
had been of fervice, were fo envious and malicious as
to tell falfe ftories of me, tending to defame me ; as
I was riding to our meeting, it opened with fatisfac-
tion to my mind, The more my enemies hate me,
the more I. will love, if that can be •, and I had hear
ty defires to come up in the practice of this refolu-
tion : and I then thought I ihould come up with
them all, for if a man loves and prays for his ene
mies, if they are gained, he is inftrumental to their
good, and fo hath caufe of rejoicing -, and if they
are not gained, he heaps coals of fire on their heads ;
fo that every true Chriftian, by keeping under the
crofs of Chrift, and in the practice of his doctrine,
gets the better of his enemies.

In the beginning of the fixth month, I was at the
burial of Robert Fletcher, a worthy man, and one uni-
verfally beloved by all forts of people, as far as ever
I heard. There was a large meeting at his funeral,
wherein, feveral teflimonies, fuitable to the occafion,
were borne : fome of his lad words were mentioned,
which were, That he had lived according to the
meafure of grace given him. And the doctrine of
the refurrection was maintained according to the
Scripture, and the people were exhorted to prepare
for their final change. The death of this Friend
was a lofs to the country, to our fociety,. and to his
neighbours, as well as to his family and friends.

After meeting I travelled towards Uwchlandy. had a
meeting there on firft-day, and on fecond-day ano
ther meeting at Lewis. Walker's, and on third-day
was at the general-meeting at Haver f or d : Friends
were exhorted to dwell in the love of God, one to
wards another; for if they loft their love, they
'would lofe their religion, their peace^ and their God ;

N 3 for

THE JOURNAL OF

for God is love, and thofe that dwell in God, dwell
in love.

My neighbour, Daniel Worthrington, accompanied
me in this rough travel, fome part of the way being
hilly, and very ftony and bufhy, and the weather
•wet. We had four meetings, and rode about four-
fcore miles j and though I had travelled much in this
province, 1 had never been at fome of thofe places
before: But a few nights before I fet out, I had a
plain profpect of them in a dream, or night vifion,
as I faw them afterwards, which I thought fome what
remarkable.

The people inhabiting this province, are now be
come numerous, and make many fettlements in the
woods, more than I have obferved in my travels in
any of the Britifh plantations; and there hath long
been a defire in my mind that they might profper in
the work of true and thorough reformation ; and a
godly fear and concern being upon me, I have fome-
times put them in mind of the ftate of this land,
when their fathers rirft came and fettled in it; and to
caution them of growing carelefs, and forgetting the
Lord, left he ihould forfake them, and turn their
now fruitful fields into a barren wildernefs, as this
•was fo lately; which it is eafy with him to do, if he
pleafes, for the fins of the people.

After my return home, I vifited many meetings,
.teAbington (youths-meeting; Philadelphia, and Cbefter.
At Cbefttr I was concerned to direct the people to
that power in themfelves, which is the life of re
ligion, and to be careful not to reft in the beft forms
\vithout it; for if we had only the form of godiinefs,
and had not the life and power of it, it might be
as reafonable for people to turn away from us^ as
it was for our fore-fathers to turn away from other
focieties.

In the feventh month I was at our yearly-meeting
held at Burlington^ for the provinces of New-Jerfey

and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 199

and Pennsylvania^ which was a very large meeting,
there being friends from New-England^ R.hode-Ifland>
and Europe.

Firft-day morning I went to Evejham to the burial
of our ferviceable friend, Jervis Stockdale, he being
in good elteem, there was much people. The meet
ing was in a good tender frame, and continued feve-
ral hours fo, in which divers testimonies were deli
vered, in order to ftir up people to truth and righ-
teoufnefs, and godly living, that they might die well.
I lodged the night before at Peter Fearons, and in
the morning I was awaked out of my deep, as it
were, by a voice exprefling thefe words; HE THAT

LIVETH AND BELIEVETH IN M£, SHALL NEVER DIE.

This I took to be the voice of Chrift : I do noc-
know that it was vocal, but it was as plain as one.
From thefe exprefiions I had to obferve to the peo
ple, the happy ftate and privilege of thofe who live
and believe in Chrift, and that fuch muil not live
in fin.

During the time of our yearly-meeting, fome rude
people came up the river in a imall lloop, provided
by them for that purpofe, and fpent their time, in
drinking, caroufing, and firing of guns, to the grief
and concern of friends, who were religioufly difcharg-
ing their duty in ferving and worfhipping the Al
mighty-, and it is obfervable^ that one of thefe dif-
orderiy perfons had his hand fliot off at that time*
and that the chief promoters and actors in this riot
ous company were loon after cut off by death, in the
prime of their days.

After the general-meeting was over, which ended
well, friends in the love of God departed in peace
for their feveral habitations, praifing and glorifying
God.

In the beginning of the eighth month, having
forne bufmefs at Cape-May y I ferried over to Qloucej-
and went the firft night to James Lord'$> lodged
N 4 there*

aoo THE JOURNAL OF

there, got up before day, it being firft-day morning,
and rode near thirty miles to Salem, where we had a
good meeting, and fo went to Allow ay* & Creek, Co-
hanfey, and through a barren wildernefs to Cape-May,
where we had one meeting, and returned by way of
Egg-Harbour home; in which journey I travelled up
wards of two hundred miles. At Cape-May I was
concerned to write a few lines concerning fwearing,
as follows, viz.

€ Chriftians ought not to fwear in any cafe, for

* thefe reafons— ift. Becaufe Chrift, their Lord, for-

* bad it; unto whom the angels in heaven muft be

* fubjecl, and, doubtlefs, fo muft mortal man, to
c whom he gave the precept. We muft and ought

* to be fubject to Chrift, who is Lord of lords, and
c King of kings, and the judge of the quick and the

* dead: To him all mortals muft be accountable for
c their difobedience. He fays, in his fermon on the
c mount, thus; " I fay, Swear not at all;" Mat.v.
c 31. "Wherefore, how can Chriftians, or fuch who
c are his friends, fwear, fmce he fays alfo, " Ye are
" my friends, if ye do whatfoever I command yon,"
4 John xv. 14. So confequently thofe who difobey
c his commands, muft be his enemies. To this

< command it is obje&ed, that Chrift only fpoke

* againft common or prophane fwearing : But this

< muft needs be a great miftake, becaufe Chrift fays,
<c It was faid in old time, thou fhalt perform unto
<f the Lord thine oaths," Mat. v. 33. alluding to

* the law of Mofes, which oaths were folemn and re-
.* ligious; therefore Chrift did not only prohibit

* vain and prophane fwearing, but all fwearing:

* If we underftand the word ALL, and what all fig-

* nifies, then all and any fwearing whatfoever, is

* not lawful for a Chriftian, according to Chrift's
c law and command, which is pofitive to his foU
J lowers.

i 2dly-a;

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 201

< adly. James^ the holy apoftle of Chrift, our

* lawgiver and our king, fays, " Above all things,
e< my brethren, fwear nor, neither by heaven, neither
" by the earth, neither by any other oath/' James v.

< 12. Chrift fays, Swear not at all; and Jamesy his
c difciple and apoftle, fays, Swear not by any oath;
c wherefore, if fwearing on the bible be any oath,

* or is fwearing at all, it is contrary to the exprefs

* do&rine of Chrift, and his apoftle Jamesy as is plain

* from the above cited texts.

c 3dly. The primitive Chriftians did not fwear
c at all, in the firft ages of chriftiariity. Query,
c Whether our modern fwearing Chriftians are better

* than the primitive ones, who for Chrift, and con-

* fcience-fake, could not fwear at all, even before a

* magiftrate, though legally called?

c 4thly. Many Chriftians have fuffered death, be-
c caufe they for confcience-fake could not fwear,
f and fo break the command of Chrift their Lordj

* and do not our modern Chriftians trample upon
c their teftimony and fufferings? Some of whom fuf-
f fered death for not fwearing before the heathen

* magiftrates, and fome were martyred by thePapifts;

< judge then whether the perfecuted or perfecutors
€ were in the right.

c 5thly. Many of our worthy friends and fore-
6 fathers (fince the former) have fuffered to death in
c gaols for not fwearing, when required by perfecut-

* ing Proteftants, becaufe for Chrift's fake and fay-
c ings, as above, they could not fwear at all. And

* this hath been a teftimony which our fociety hath

* conftantly borne ever fince we have been a people,
' for the reafons above; and more alfo if there were
€ occafion, which might be given.'

The 2jd of the eighth month, 1 was at the morn
ing meeting at Philadelphia^ on a firft-day of the
week, which was large ; and 1 was concerned therein
;o exhort friends to labour to purge and cieanfe our

fociety

202 THE JOURNAL OF

fociety of fuch under our profefllon who live in open
prophanenefs, and are riotous in their converfations.
I was at the bank-meeting in the afternoon, where
we had a comfortable time. And the next fixth-day
of the week I was at our monthly-meeting, where it
was unanimoufly agreed, in confideration of forne
late indecent conduct of fome perfons pretending to
be of our profeflion, that a teftimony from that meet
ing fhould go forth againft fuch diforderly doings,
and unchriftian practices; and that all fuch perfons,
who were irregular in their converfations, be dif-
owned to be of our community, until they by repent^
ance manifeft their reformation : which was accord
ingly foon after publifhed, and read in our firft-day
morning-meeting, and in our youths-meeting. And
about this time our governor ifTued a feafonable
proclamation againft drinking to excefs, gaming,
fwearing prophanely, revelling, night-walking, and
difturbingthe peace, and other immoralities; which
afforded fome fatisfaclion to fober and well-inclined
friends and others: Yet there remained a great exer-
cife and concern upon my mind, that fome young
people, whofe parents had been careful in training
them up, were grown fo wicked, that by their extra^
vagant conduct, they not only difturbed our religious
meetings, but likewife became obnoxious to the
peaceable government we live under.

In the ninth month I was at divers meetings, at
Merion^ German-Town, Fair-hill, Abington^ and Phi
ladelphia •, in which were feveral marriages folemnized
in a religious manner. And in the tenth month, I
went into the county of Salem about my affairs. It
happened to be at the time of the quarterly-meeting
for Salem and Gloucefter counties; but I did not know
of it, until I came to Salem, where friends were glad
to fee me, as alfo I was to fee them; there were fome
of us whole hearts were knit and united together as
Jonathan's and David's, the divine love of God being

much

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 203

much flied abroad in our hearts at that meeting.
When it was over, and I had finifhed my bufinefs,
I could not be clear in my mind without having fomc
meetings in the faid counties of Salem and Gloucefter^
and though it was a fickly time, and people died
pretty much in thofe parts where we were going,
James Lord and I, in the love of Chrift, vifited the
meetings at Alloway's Creek, Cohanfey, Pile's Grove,
Woodbury, Newton, and Haddonfidd, having meet
ings every day in the week, except the lad ; and
fometimes riding near twenty miles after meeting,
the days being at the Ihorteft, and the weather
very cold ; but the Lord was with us, which made
fufficient amends for all the bodily hardfhips we met
with.

I got home well, but weary; and was well and joy
fully received by my loving fpoufe, children, and
fcrvants; and I was truly thankful to the moft High
for his pretence and goodnefs continued to me ; fo
that, though I perceived my bodilv ftrength to de
cline apace, my fight, hearing, and voice, failing
much, I have occaiion to believe, at times I was help
ed even beyond nature in the work of Chrift, my
dear Lord and Matter.

The syth of the tenth month, I heard the news of
the death of my dear friend, John Lee, by one fent to
defire my company at his burial. It affected me
with forrow, he being an old acquaintance and in
ward friend of mine, with whom I had travelled many
miles. He was a living, ferviceable minifter of the
gofpel of Chrift, and iniftrumental to convince divers
of that principle of divine light and truth, which
we profeis. I could not be at his burial, becaufe
of my indifpofition, and the unfeafonablenefs of the
weather 5 yet I think it my duty to fay this concern
ing him, That our love and friendfhip was conftant
and entire unto the end, having been acquainted about
thirty-five years, as near as I can remember.

In

204 THE JOURNAL. OF

In the eleventh month, as I was meditating in my
clofet, on the duty and beauty of that great virtue of
temperance, it appeared very bright to the view of
my mind, and the great benefit of it to thofe who
loved and lived in it : ift. As to religion, it tends to
keep the mind in an even temper, which is a help to
devotion, and the practice of religious duties. 2dly.
It is a great prefervative to health and a good confti-
tution. jdly. It is a blefling to poflerity, in many
confiderations. Whereas intemperance deflroys the
health, ftains the reputation, hurts poflerity, (in
refpecl to a healthy conititution of body and eftate)
ruins many families, brings to poverty and dif-
grace, and what is yet worfe of all, is a great let
to religion and the true fear of God, and is a great
fcandal to any who make profeflion of the Chriftian
religion.

In this month I accompanied William Piggot (who
lately arrived from London, on a religious vifitto the
meetings of friends in America.) From Philadelphia
we went to my houfe at Frankfort, and from thence
to North Wales, and had two large fatisfactory meet
ings on the firft-day ; next day we were at the month
ly-meeting at Abington, the third day at Frankfort,
and fourth day at German-Town ; fifth day I went to
Philadelphia week-day-meeting, and the faid friend
to Abington general -meeting; and a few clays after we
met again at the quarterly-meeting of minifters and
elders at Philadelphia.

The eighth of the twelfth month was our youths-
meeting at Frankfort-, many dying about this time,
.1 was concerned in the meeting to put friends in mind
of their mortality; and that I had told friends lately,
at their meetings at Abington and Philadelphia, That
as I was riding from my houfe to Philadelphia^ about
a mile from the city, I faw (in the vifion of life) the
hand of the Lord ftretched over the city and province,
with a rod in it, in order to correct the •inhabi
tant

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 205

tants for their fins and iniquities; which fight af-
fedbed my mind greatly; and although I did not
hear any vocal voice, nor fee any vifibie hand, yet it
was as plainly revealed to me as though I had : And
that notwithftanding I underflood fome flighted that
teftimony, yet I obferved to them, that fince that
time more people were taken away than common, as
they now might fee; and indeed that inward fight and
fenfe I had of the difpleafure of God for the fins
of the times, made great impreflion on my mind j
and that no flefh might glory, the Lord took, from
the evil to come, leveral fober, well-inclined young
people, as well as divers whofe lives and converfa-
tions were evil and vicious; fo that all had need to
be warned to be watchful, and turn to the Lord, left
he come at unawares, and call us fuddenly out of the
world unprepared. In the twelfth and firft months
many died, of all ages and profefllons; and now
fome, who would hardly give credit to what I had
delivered in feveral meetings, began to fee the ful
filling of it, and great talk there was about it. And
many folid and large meetings we had with the peo
ple at divers funerals about this time, exhorting the
people not to flight the prefent vifitation of the Al
mighty, and to prepare for eternity, to meet the
Judge of the quick and the dead, who Hands at the
door. And among many that were taken away by-
death, were fome few of my particular friends •, and
firft, dear Hannah Hill, who was a bright example of
piety and charity, {he was like a nurfing mother to
me in my afflictions, as was her hufband more like a
brother than one not related, whofe generous enter
tainment I may never forget at times. Thomas Grif
fith^ and Elizabeth his wife, died alfo about this time:
Thomas was a ferviceable man, and well efteemed in
our iociety ; and his wife a noted woman for being
helpful to, and vifiting the fick. She chofe the houie
of mourning, rat4ier than the houfe of mirth. Thefc

were

*o6 THE JOURNAL OF

were worthy ancients, who made peaceable and
good ends, and to whom may be properly applied
that remarkable text of fcripture, Mark the up
right, and behold the juft, for the end of that man is
peace.

In the fecond month, 1727, I proceeded on a
voyage to Barbados, on account of bufinefs, for the
fupport of my family, and in order to difcharge my
juft debts, which were occafioned by great lofles by
fea and land. Many of my friends were kind to me,
and fent a cargo of goods in the (loop John, Anthony
Peel matter, configned to me for fales and returns.
When the vefTel was loaded, fhe proceeded down
the river, and I went by land to Salem, and was at
meeting there on firft-day, and on third-day went
aboard the floop at Elfenbotoiigb. On the 8th of the
iecond month we took in our boat and anchors,
and proceeded to fea. From Elfenborough and the
Capes I wrote to my wife, giving her an account how
it was with me, and encouraged her to bear my ab-
fence with patience: It was indeed very hard for us
to part.

I may not omit taking notice of an exercife which
I felt one night as I lay on my bed in Philadelphia^
(on the 2 1 it of the firil month, my fleep being
taken from me) which I recollected and wrote down
on board the aforeiaid vefTel, and was in this man
ner, viz.

c That the Lord was angry with the people of
Philadelphia and Pennfyhania, becaufe of the great
fins and wickednefs which were committed by the
inhabitants in public-houfes, and elfcwhere j- and
that the Lord was angry with the magistrates alfo,
becaufe they ufe not their power as they might do,
in order to fupprefs wickednefs ; and do not, fo
much as they ought, put the laws already made, in
execution, againft prophanenefs and immorality.
And the Lord is angry with -the reprefentatives of

THOMAS CMALKLEY. 20?

c the people of the land, becaufe they take not fo
c much care to fupprefs vice and wickednefs, and
< wicked houfes, in which our youth are grofsly cor-
c rupted, as they ought to do. And alfo the Lord
c is angry with many of the better fort of the people,

* becaufe they feek after and love the things of this
e world, more than the things of his kingdom :

* And it was fhewed me, that the anger of the Moft

* High would ftill be againft us, until there was a
c greater reformation in thefe things.' [It is worthy
of commendation, that our governor, Tho. Lloyd,
fometimes in the evening, before he went to reft, ufed.
to go in perfon to public-houfes, and order the peo
ple he found there to their own houfes, till at length
he was inftrumental to promote better order, and
did, in a great meafure, fupprefs vice and immorality
in the city.]

For fome days after we were at fea, the weather
was pleafant, and we had our health, for which my
heart was truly thankful. I exhorted the failors
againft fwearing ; and though they had been much
ufed to it, they left it off, fo that it was rare to hear
any of them fwear ; for which reformation, fo far, I
was glad. I lent and gave them feveral good books,
\vhich they read, and fhewed much refpecl to me;
But foon after the wind was contrary for fome days,
and fome in the veffel were quarreifome. I alked
them what they thought of the faying of Chrift, viz.
If a man fmite thee on the cheek, turn to him the
other alfo: At which they were filent and .better
conditioned to one another afterwards, and we had
fome reformation both from fighting and fwearing.
This voyage I was not fo fea-fick as I formerly had
been (though 1 had, before I left home, fome uneafy
thoughts about my ufually being fea-fick) which I
took as a peculiar favour from heaven. About the
latitude of 20 degrees north, we met with calms and
contrary winds> -\yhichwas very hard for fome in the
^i: veffel

THE JOURNAL OF

veflel to bear, they putting themfelves much out of*
temper about it ; as for my own part, I had been
ufed to difappointment, and therefore did not fo
much mind it. I fpent pretty much of my time in
reading and writing, and God being gracious, it was
in the main a comfortable time to me j and I enjoyed
my health as well as ever I did at fea in my life, for
which I often breathed forth inward thanks to the
Almighty. On the 5th of the third month we ar
rived at Barbadoes, and I was lovingly received by
our friends, but came to a very low market for my
goods.

I viiited friends meetings on the ifland, and had fe-
veral open meetings at Bridget own, and Speight' 's-
Fowrtj and likewife at Pumkin-hilly and the Spring.
On the day of Pentecoft, fo called, we had a meeting
at Bridgt-Town3 in which was fhewn the work and
operation of God's fpirit on the old world, and tinder
the law; and the everlafting duration and operation
of the fame holy Spirit under the gofpel difpenfa-
tion, which, Chrift faid, fhould abide for ever. At
the quarterly-meeting at Speight* s-Town was Judge
Allen> and die captain of the man of war ilationed
there, with feveral others, not of our fociety. I was
much drawn forth in this meeting to fpeak of the
power of the Father, Son, and the Spirit, opening to
the people how we had been mifreprefented, in refpect
to our belief in the Trinity, or the holy Three which
bear record in heaven, the Father, Word, and Spirit,
•which three are one; for that it was clear and plain,
that we are more orthodox in the belief in the Deity,
than thofe who do not believe in the operation of the
holy Ghoft; as alfo that none could be true Chrifli-
ans without it. It was queried, How could they be
clear in their belief in the holy Trinity, or the Three
that bear record in heaven, who believe the holy
Spirit is ceafed in his operations, gifts, or immedi
ate revelations, and if ceafed, when, and where, to

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 209

Whom, and how ? The people were very fober and
attentive, and (laid all the time; and after the meet
ing was done fome time, divers expreffed their fatis-
faclion with what was faid. My good friend, Peter
Sharp) of Maryland^ was with me at this meeting,
on whofe account fome of the people came. He had
good fervice in the meeting, and I was glad of his
company in this ifland, where we joyfully met and
parted in the love of Chrift. At this meeting we
had each of us a certificate from friends, fignifying
their unity with our converfations and fervices. The
lad meeting I had at Barbadcesy was at Speight* s-
Fown, on a firft-day; it was a folid, good meeting,
in which I took my leave of friends there, and ex
horted them to believe in and hear Chrift, he being
a teacher that could not be removed from them, as
men often were; and, though they were but few, they
were defired to meet in Chrift's name; and I had to
fhew them the difference between us and their Chrif-
tian profeflbrs, who hold no public worfhip if there
be no outward teacher. Whereas, if but two or
three meet in the name of Chrift, he has promifed to
be in the midft of them; and he is the beft teacher
we can have.

On the i4th of the fourth month we fet fail from
this ifland, and for the moft part had fair weather
and fair winds, and faw feveral fhips, but fpoke with
none.

I was one evening leaning over the fide of the
veffel, as being very lonefome, having little conver-
fation with any in the vefTel for divers reafons, I
turned from all outward things to the Lord, and
•was glad to feel his prefence and goodnefs, which
was a comfort to me in my lonefome ftate ; and
as my travels and concerns had called and caufed
me to be much on the feas, it alfo pleafed my
good and gracious God to fupport me thereon
many times, in divers trials, temptations, and ex-

O ercifes j

:aio THE JOURNAL or

ercifes; for all which, I bow in awful reverence be
fore him, and return thankfgiving and praife to his
great name.

, The firft of the fifth month about noon we came
to the Capes of Delaware, and failed up the bay ; but
in a little time we touched the ground with our vef-
fel feveral times; there being little wind, we got no
harm-, but two hours after, or thereabouts, a guft,
or florm of wind, took us, which, if it had met with
us on the Ihoals where we ftruck, in all likelihood
we muft have perifhed, which I took to be a remark
able deliverance. Next tide we got to NewcaftU^
and it being firft-day, I had a meeting with friends
there, with which we were greatly refrefhed in the
Lord, and in one another. After meeting I went on
board the floop, and having a fair wind, we failed for
Philadelphia, where we arrived about the eleventh
hour, lodged that night at Paul Prefton's, and next
day went home to my family at Frankfort, where my
wife, children, and fervants, received me with much
xejoicing.

When -I was. in Earladoes, P. M. who accom
panied me from Bridge-Town to windward to Coun-
Jellor Week**) told me, That when I was in the ifland
before, he and I had fome difcourfe concerning the
life of the fword, he then (not being of our foaety)
wore a fword, but now had left it off, and his buii-
iiefs alfo, which was worth fome hundreds a year.
I had reminded him of drift's words, that " Thofe
*e who take the fword, fhould perifh with the fword,"
Matt. xxvi. 52. and, Refift not evil ; and if a man
fmite theeon one cheek, turn the other alfo: Love
enemies, do good to them that hate you, pray for
them who defpitefully ufe you, and perfecute you.
After I had ufed thefe arguments, he alked me, If
one came to kill me, would 1 not kill rather than be
killed ? I told him, No; fo far as I know my own
heart, I had rather be killed than kill. He faid,

That

THOMAS CHALKLEY. iii

That was ftrange, and defired to know what reafon
I could give for it. I told him, that I being inno
cent, if I were killed in my body, my foul might be
happy j but if I killed him, he dying in his wicked-
nefs, would confequently be unhappy ; and if I were
killed, he might live to repent; but if I killed him,
he would have no time to repent: fo that if he killed
me, I fhould have much the better, both in refpe6t
to myfelf and to him. This difcourfe had made fo
much impreffion, and fo affected him, that he faid,
he could not but often remember it. And when we
parted at Bridge-^own^ we embraced each other, in
open arms of Chriftian love, far from that which
would hurt or deltroy.

After I had been at home fome time, I vifited the
meetings at Philadelphia, Burlington, and German-
Town, in which places I had fervice of divers kinds,
and was lovingly received by friends and others.

In the fifth month, Jojhua Fielding and John Ox-
ley had a large and fatisfadlory meeting at Frankfort.
Joflma came from London on a religious vifit to Ame-
rica> and having been on divers iflands, he landed on
the main at South-Carolina) and from thence travelled
through the wildernefs 400 miles, or more, where
no public friend had ever travelled before. The
journey was perilous, but the Lord was with him;
who may in his own time, make way for his fervants
in thofe defart places. John Oxley came on the
fame account from Barbadoes, and had good fervice
among friends in his public miniftry.

In this month, we thinking it convenient to fend
our little children to fchool, and not having a fchool-
matter of our fociety near us, concluded to put our
fon and daughter under the care stNatbamtlWalton*
to whom I thought it my duty to write a few lines
about the falutation and language I would have them
trained up in, which were on this wife, viz.

O 2 Frankforf)

flia THE JOURNAL OF

Frankfort, goth of the fifth month, 1727*

Loving friend, Nathaniel Walton,

~ HOPE thou wilt excufe this freedom which I

I

^ take with thee, in writing this on account of my
children, in thefe particulars, viz. refpe&ing the
compliment of the Hat, and Courtefying, the
practice thereof being againft my profefled princi
ple: i ft. Becaufe 1 find nothing like it in the
bible; but, as I think, the contrary. Thou knows
the paflage of the Three Children of God, who flood
covered before a mighty monarch; and Mordecai*
Who could not bow to great Haman. And, 2dly,
I believe thofe practices derived from vain, proud
man. And as to Language, I defire my children
may not be permitted to ufe the plural language
to a fmgle perfon ; but I pray thee to learn them
to fay Thee, and Thou, and Thy, and to fpeak it
properly, divers ufing it improperly ; and the ra
ther I defire it, becaufe it is all along ufed in the
divine infpired holy writings. I fuppofe thou art
not a ftranger of its rife being from the grandeur
and apoflacy of the Romifla church; and, alfo,
that You to a fingle perfon, is not confonant to the
book of God, nor the true rules of grammar. I
know it is generally objected, That the end of
fpeech is to be underftood : But it is underflood
better in and according to the language of God,
Chrift, and the holy Ghofl, in the bible, and the
language of kings, and all people, as we read it in
the holy fcriptures ; why then fhould we be afhamed
of it, or ihun it; and bring in and uphold a cuflom,
contrary to it ? The fame care I would have thee
take about the names of the Days and Months,
which are derived from the names of the Gods of
the Heathens, and are not found in the bible. j[
fuppofe I have the mind of all thofe of our fociety
in the above, it being confonant to our principle

c and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 213

c and profefilon, and I write in a motion of divine
' love to all.

c As to the fchool-learning of my children, I leave
e to thy management, not queftioning thy ability
c therein; and if they want corre&ion, fpare not the
c rod.

c I hope thou wilt obferve this direction in teach-
' ing my children, in which thou wilt oblige thy
c allured friend,

< f. CPIALKLET:

The latter end of the fifth, and the beginning of
the fixth months, the weather was exceeding hor,
fo that divers people died fuddenly of the heat, as it
was fuppofcd.

The beginning of the fixth month I was at the
youths-meeting at Abington, which was large and
open to many •, and I not having been there fmce I
came from fea, divers exprefTed their gladnefs to fee
me; and we were that day favoured with fome
fhowers, both celeflial and elementary, to our com
fort.

In the fame month I was alfo at the youths-meet
ing in Philadelphia : it had been a fickly time, but
many had recovered. That paflage opened on my
mind, to fpeak of in the meeting, concerning the
lepers, which Chrift cleanfed and healed, being ten
in number, and that but one came to return thanks
to God, for being healed and reftored to health, Luke
xvii. 12. Friends were exhorted to prize their
health, and to- fhew their thankfulnefs to God, the
giver of it, by fearing and ferving him, and taking
heed to Chrift, the word in their hearts. The meet
ing was in a good, folid frame, and we praifed the
Lord together, and gave him thanks for his merci
ful vifitation.

About this time I heard of the death of our king
(George the J.) a prince whom I loved and honoured;

O which.

THE J O U R N A L OF

which news was very forrowful to me on divers ac
counts : his love and kindnefs to our fociety, was
well worthy our grateful remembrance.

On a third-day, being our week-day-meeting at
Frankfort Elizabeth Whartnaby and Mary Smith were
there : it was a comfortable opportunity. They
were two nights at my houfe. Elizabeth was pre
paring to leave this land for Barbadoes, and Europe^
intending a religious vifit to Friends.

The 2Oth of the fixth month, going into my clo-
fet, I there met with a paper of my fon-in-law IJaac
Browns, and finding the contents were religious, as I
had done of feveral of his late writings, I found it on,
my mind to write to him after this manner :

Dear Son Ifaac,

< Y}Y feveral writings of thine, of late, I perceive

< Jj tnat a g°°d thing is at work in thy mind, the
c which I pray the All-wife and Infinite Being tq

< promote in thy heart, to thy eternal falvation, and
c his glory. 1 now begin to be in fome hopes that
e my prayers and tears for thee, in the Lord's timeA
c may be anfwered : and I do believe, if thou keeps

* low in thy mind, that God will more and more vifit

< thee. The advice of David to his fon Solomon^
€ when he alfo gave him the kingdom, comes before

* my mind to give thee.' cc My fon, know thou
cc the God of thy Father, and ferve him with a per-
<c feel heart, and with a willing mind ; for the Lord
" fearcheth all hearts, and underftandeth all the ima-
*c ginations of the thoughts; if thou feek him, he
*e will be found of thee •, but if thou forfake him,,
<c he will cafl thee off for ever." i Chron. xxviii. 9.

* Dear IJaac , this was counfel from one of the great-
c eft and beft of kings, to a wife young prince, who
c petitioned the Almighty for divine wifdom, before

< riches, or honour, or long life; which petition fo

< pleafed God, that he anfwered his requeft, and,

< over,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 215

* over and above, bleffed him in an extraordinary

* manner.

< I perceive thou art inclined to read pretty much ;

c I pray thee, that thy chief ftudy in books may be

c the holy Scriptures. Let all other books, though

* of ufe and good, in their places, be fubfervient to

* them ; for their authority, of all other writings,
c to the true believers in Chrift, are moft divine;
c they having a fupernatural fpring and divine evi-

* dence in them to the virtuous and pious readers.

* Thou, my fon, wilt much comfort the heart of thy
c tender mother, and of me thy loving and careful
c father, if thou follows and perfeveres in the way
c of virtue and truth; which, that thou mayeft, is
c the prayer of thy affectionate father-in-law.

< f. CHALKLET.*

The latter end of the fixth month, I went to the
general-meeting of miniflers and elders for the Eaft
part of New-Jerfey, and to the quarterly and youths-
meeting at Burlington, and to a general-meeting at
Stony-Brook, and to the quarterly-meeting of the coun
ty of Bucks. John Oxley, of Barbadoes^ and Jo/butt
Fielding, of London, were at divers of thofe meetings,
wherein we had open, feafonable opportunities ; and
I had a large, affecting account from Jojhua, of his
long and difficult travels in the fervice of truth to
the Weft-India ides, and thence to South- Carolina,
from whence he came through the wildernefs by
land, through North-Carolina> Virginia, &c. to this
province.

The i6th of the feventh month began our yearly-
meeting at Philadelphia, which was attended with the
gracious prefence of God, to the comfort and great
fatisfaction of many fouls. In this meeting divers
young men and young women appeared, who were
lately come forth ia the miniflry, and, as I believe;

p

2i6 THE JOURNAL OF

had received a meafure of the gift of Cbrift's gofpel ;
which was caufe of rejoicing to the faithful among us,
and excited our thankfgiving and praifes to the Al
mighty Lord of heaven and earth.

At this meeting we had the company of four mi-
niflers from Great-Britain, and one from Barbados*,
and many from divers other parts, it being a very
large gathering of fome thoufands of people, as was
believed, in which many were flrengthened in their
faith in Chrift, and comforted through the power of
the holy Ghofi, that blefled Comforter, which Chrift
promifed to his church, who fhould be with them for
ever, and guide them into all truth.

Next firft-day after the yearly-meeting, I, with
feveral of my neighbours, went over Delaware, to a
meeting up Penfawken creek -, in which the wonder
ful love of God was declared, in fending his Son up
on earth, who, as he was man, died for man, and is
now by his fpirit prefent with all thofe that truly be
lieve in him ; he being the mefienger of the cove
nant of God to mankind. And on fecond-day, be
ing the 25th of the feventh month, I had the for-
rowful tidings of the death of my beloved Friend
James Lord -, who, on his death-bed, defired that I
might be fent for to his burial. In the confideration
of that Chriftian love that was between us, I think I
may truly note, that we were always glad to meet
each other; therefore the thoughts of this fo fudder*
change, and final parting, brought, for the prefent,
a fadnefs and heavinefs over my mind j confidering
his (lation in that neighbourhood, and fervice in that
congregation to which he did belong ; for therein he
was welUbeloved, and very ferviceable.

And oh ! the lofs that his dear wife and tender
children will have of him, really affects me with for-
row in penning thefe notes ; but the forrow, in thefe
things, is all on our fide; for he, without doubt, is
at reit with his great Mailer in heaven. We had a

larger

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 217

larger meeting at his funeral, than ever was known
to be there before, (as an ancient Friend told me)
which was folemn and ferviceable to many.

Some time after, having been at divers meetings
about home, John Oxley and I, in company, vifited
Friends on Long-IJland. At Flujhing, we were at the
burial of Jonathan Dickenjon : many people, of divers
perfuafions, were at the meeting on that occafion,
and were very fober and attentive. I was at the
yearly-meeting for the fouth-fide of the ifland, at a
place called Seccataug, which meeting was large,
many Friends and others coming to it over the plains.
I was afterwards at the yearly-meeting at Shrewjbury*
in Eaft-Jerfey> which held three days, and was very
large, and the lad day the people were very ftill.
Jojhua Fielding was at this meeting, and was therein
concerned to preach the gofpel of Chrift with good
authority, and matter fuitable to a true gofpel-mini-
fter ; John Oxley was ill of a fever, fo that he could
not be there ; but there were brethren from divers
parts, and the power and prefence of the Moft High
was with and among us; bleflfcd be his name.

I was alfo at Rohaway river, where was a folid,
good meeting. From thence I returned home, hav
ing been abroad about a month, and at above twen
ty meetings, and travelled about 350 miles.

In the eighth month, at Frankfort, we had three
burials out of one houfe, at one time $ the mother,
daughter, and grand-daughter, of which I had never
known the like inflance before ; on this occafion we
had the company of many neighbours, and a very fo
lemn meeting at our meeting-houfe at Frankfort.

About this time I was at divers meetings at Phila
delphia, Abington, and Burlington: we had an even
ing-meeting at Burlington with Richard Smith^ junior $
who had been fo ill that he could not get out to
meetings for fome months : it was fuch a fatisfa&ory
Meeting, that he^ and 1, and others that were there,

will

2i8 THE JOURNAL OF

will not eafily forget, our hearts being broken to
gether.

" The world ftill continued to frowrrupon me j but,
though my cafe was fuch in this world, yet, at times,
I had great confolation in Chrift ; and, in the midil
of my troubles, when I looked back, I could truly
fay, That I had not been extravagant, but frugal ;
not covetous, but charitable ; not idle, but induftri-
ous-, not willing to be fuch an infidel as not to take
care for my family ; it was fome folid comfort to my
mind ; and I blefs the Almighty, that I always pre
ferred his work and fervice to my own, and therein
had great peace. This I can alfo fay, if it were the
laft I fhould fay, That I never wilfully, or know
ingly, wronged any man, woman, or child, fince I
came to years of difcretion; and yet I have nothing
to boaft of -3 it is the Lord's grace and mercy which
faveth us.

Having occafion to make another voyage to Bar-
ladoes, I wrote to the teacher of my children as fol-
loweth :

Frankfort, loth of the tenth month, 1727."

Loving Friend,

c T BEING going to Barbadoes, leave the charge
€ J[ of my little children to thy care, not doubting

* thy management of them, by their growing in their

* learning, pleafe to inftruct them to fobriety, and
c the fear of God, and faith in Chrift -9 and, if I
e never fhould fee them or thee any more, our lives
€ being uncertain in this world, pray let them know,
' that it was their father's will and defire, that they
< fhould mind their learning, and, above all things,
c mind the fear of the Mod High. When my little
€ daughter hath read her Teftament through, I
c would have her go to writing, and George the fame,

* on the fame terms. Pleafe to learn them the ufe

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

« of chapter and verfe, that if any afk them where

< they are learning, they may tell. And, kind friend,
* inaimuch as I perceive thou haft followed my for-
« mer diredions, I look on myfelf obliged to thee 5

< therefore am fo much the more free to impart my
f mind to thee, now on my departure 3 which, with
c real love, is from thy loving friend,

< f. CHALK LET:

c P. S. Although my care is great for my child-

< rens* learning their books, yet it is much more fo

< as to their learning true piety and virtue.'

On the 25th of the tenth month we fet fail from
Philadelphia, in the Qoop Dove, Ofwald Peel mafter ;
having taken a folemn farewell of my dear wife,
children, and friends, in order for the fupport of my
family, and anfwering my juft debts, which I had
contracted. On the a;th day of the month, in the
evening, we took in our boat, and put to fea ; had
fome rough weather in our paffage, but lived com
fortably ; we being all loving and obliging one to
another. On the I5th of the eleventh month we
fafely arrived at Speight's -Town, in Barbadoes •, and the
i8th between the hours of five and fix in the morn-
ipo-, we felt the greateft earthquake that 1 had ever
felT; having been fenfible of three, one *tLondo#9one
at Jamaica* and one at Frankfort in Pennfyhania. I
was thankful in my heart to the Lord for my fafe arri
val, and that we were all preierved fafe in our ftormy
paffage, and deep loaded veffel 5 one veflel being
loft that came out a little time before us, and ano
ther, which came from our port to this ifland a few
days fooner than we, loft three men by the violence
of the ftorm, and received much damage otherwife •,
qne of them being a neighbour of mine, with whom I
was well acquainted, ic affected my mind very much.

vifited

220 THE JOURNAL OF

I vifited Friends meetings in B&rbadoes, and fome di
vers times over \ and had occafion in fome meetings
to mention the earthquake, which I told them I did
believe was a vifitation from the Almighty, in order
to put people in mind of mortality, and to reform
them from the evil of their ways, and call them to
repentance.

While I was in Barbadoes^ Francis Gamlle died,
whom I went to vifit feveral times in his ficknefs :
at his funeral was a large gathering of his neigh
bours, and others 5 and divers not of our fociety,
exprefled their fatisfaction with the meeting. The
people in and about Speigb?s-Town> in Barbados*,
were very loving and kind to me, more than I ever
had oblerved before ; even fome vile, prophane men,
whom I could not forbear to reprove for their fwear-
ing, and taking the facred name in vain, yet they
fhewed refpecl, notwithftanding I reproved them
fharply. Who can take the facred name of God
into their mouths in vain, and be guiltlefs ? Or who
can hear it, and forbear reproving it, without being
remifs in their duty ? this great evil is too frequently
pra&ifed in this rich (poor) iftandof Barbadoes (rich
in earthly, but poor in heavenly -freafure) which
caufed me many times to mourn in fecret before the
Almighty, praying him for the reformation of the
people, for Chrift's fake, and for the glory of his
own eternal name.

The 27th of the firfl month, 1728, having done
rny bufmefsin Barbadffes, andfeen Friends generally,
an opportunity offered for my return home, in the
brigantine Sarah and Mary, Samuel Gallop mafter,
bound for Burlington^ in company with William Dury
and William Calknder, both of Barbadoes. Our mafter
was exceeding kind to us in the voyage. The wind
hanging northerly, we could not go to windward of
Martinico, but drove to leeward, and failed by the
ifles of Luciay Martimco> Dominica^ Guadaloufe, Anti-

THOMAS CHALKLEY. **i

, Montjerrat, Rodondo, Nevis, Cbrijlopber's, Statia,
Sala, Martin's, Anguilla, Bartholomew's, Sombrero,
and four other fmall iflands which are called the
Saints. It was very pleafant failing by thefe iflands,
only fome of them were fo exceeding high, that in
fome places we were becalmed, and the clouds ap
peared below the tops of divers of the mountains.
At Cbrijtopbers, which is accounted the higheit of
them, there being a fmall river of good frefh water,
we fent our boat on fhore for fome, having none very
good on board. We lay off and on about two hours*
but did not come to. I was thankful for this water,
it being my conftant drink; it was alfo very fervice-
able to the people on board. After we left the ifle
of Sombrero, we faw a fail, which we thought flood af
ter us, and hearing at Cbriftopber's that feveral Spanijb
privateers were on that coaft, our matter, and fome
others on board, were a little furprized ; but we fooa
left her out of fight, and we afterwards went plea-
fantly on our way, until we came to the latitude oC
Bermudas, where the winds blew freflh, and much a-
gainft us ; and this winter having been very hard, we
felt the fharp blafts of the latter end of it. We had
a paflage of about thirty days, and came very plea-
fantly up the bay and river; and it pleafed God that
I got home once more to my beloved wife and child
ren, and was joyfully received by all my family,
whom I found in a good degree of health; for which
1 did, as I had occafion to do, blefs and praife the
great name of the molt High, who is worthy for
ever.

After I came home, I was at many meetings in
Pennfylvania and Jerfey, viz. at Philadelphia, Burling
ton, Briftol, Biberry, Frankfort, German-^ own, New-
Hanover, Crojwicks, &c. in all which meetings I had
fome frrvice to Friends fatisfa&ion, and was comfort
ed with the goodnefs of God in the midil of my af-
fliaions.. My bufmefs lying much at Burlington, I

fpent

ftl* THE JOURNAL OF

fpent pretty much of my time there for feveral weeks;
where my friends manifefted a tender and hearty
refped towards me, and fympathized with me in my
troubles and travels ; and there I prepared for ano
ther voyage ; for I was fully refolved, through divine
affiftance, to pay all my juft debts, which I contract
ed, and lay on me, through many lofTes, or elfe to
die in the purfuit of it ; in which refolve I had in
ward peace and fatisfaclion ; though fuch labour,
travel, and reparation from my family, was a great
crofs to nature.

On the 1 4.th of the fifth month we went on board
the brigantine Sarah and Mary, Samuel Gallop mafter,
for Barbadoes -, and on the i6th we failed down the
bay, and put to fea, and I wrote a loving, tender
letter to my wife and family, and another to my
friends at Burlington. We had fair winds for about
two weeks, after which they were contrary for feve
ral days, during which two of our men had a fever,
and our veffel proved leaky, though tight in fmooth
water, which was fome concern to us, and obliged
us to pump every half hour; but the leak being
much the fame, while at fea, we were the more eafy
about it : I took care of thofe two people that were
fick, who foon recovered. The 3d and 4th days of
the fixth month, it was very windy, with lightning,
thunder, and rain ; in which rough weather one of our
beft failors put his flioulder out of joint, and they
brought him to me to fee if I could do him any fer-
vice; I was not forward to meddle; but the man and
the people believing, if I would undertake for him, I
might help him ; I told them, that though I did not
underftand bone-fetting, I would inilrucl: them the
beft I could; then 1 ordered him to be fet down upon
the deck, and to be ftripped to the waift, and got a
round piece of wood as thick as his arm, and wrap
ped a piece of cloth about it, that it might not bruife
his flefh, and put it under his arm, and ordered two

men,

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

men, one at each end of it, to lift up ftrongly, and a
third man to ftretch his arm out, and keep it down
withal, which being done, the bone went into its
place; for which I was thankful in my heart to the
Almighty. About the loth of the fixth month, we
fafely arrived at Sprigbt's-fown in Barbadoes, being
the firft-day of the week. From whence I had an
opportunity, by Alexander Seatony mafter of a vefiel
bound to Pennsylvania, to fend an account of our fafe
arrival.

I had many meetings in the ifland, and made feve-
ral vifits to divers fick perfons, one of which was par
ticularly to the fatisfadtion of the perfon vifited, and
his relations : he died, and was buried at Heathcotfs-
Bay, where we had a large meeting at our meeting-
houfe, where was many people, and it was a good,
feafonable opportunity, in which I had occafion to
remind them of their mortality, and prefs them to a
holy life, the way to a happy immortality. I had
divers meetings at Bridge-Town, Speight1 s-Town, and
titeSfringi where the teftimony of Chrift's golpel
was well received. And after a flay of three weeks,
I left Barbadoes vt\ the id of the feventh month, and
took my paffage in the Amity, Charles Hargrave maf
ter, who was very friendly to me in my paffage, as
were all on board. We arrived at our port without
cafting anchor in all our voyage, and laid the vefTel
to the wharf at Philadelphia, and on my landing I
immediately went into the meeting of minifters and
elders, it being juft meeting time, where we were
much comforted together in Chrift -, after which I
went home, being lovingly received by my wife and
family, having been from home about ten weeks.
: After I came home from this voyage, I vifited the
meetings of Friends at Philadelphia, Frankfort, Ger
man-Town, the Falls of Delaware, Burlington, New-
Hanover, Mount-Holy, Fair-Hill, &c.

The

224 THE JOURNAL of

The 2d of the ninth month I was at the quarterly*
meeting of minifters and elders at Philadelphia, where
I met with Jofeph ^Taylor, a Friend, who had vifited
our meetings pretty generally on the continent of
America^ in the miniftry of the gofpel, and was now
on his return homewards ; with whofe vifit Friends
had good unity, and certified the fame to our bre
thren of the meeting where he lived in Great-Bri
tain.

After this I was at divers meetings in Pennfyhania,
and Jerjcy, and the latter end of the ninth month,
Sarah, the wife of 'Jeremiah Elfreth, died very fud-
denly, having been the day before walking in her
garden ; fhe was a fober young woman, and her
death much lamented ; her burial occasioned my
Hay at Philadelphia , which I had divers times fhun-
ned, becaufe a concern had been on me for fome
time, to declare to the people of that city, That
the Lord was angry with the legiflators of Pennfyl^
varna, becaufe they were not fo much concerned to
promote religion and piety as they ought, and to
make fuch laws as might prevent the exceflive in-
creafe of publick houfes, which often prove femina-
ries of Satan •, but ftrove to promote parties more
than religion : and that the Lord was angry with
the magiftrates, becaufe they did not fo much as
they might, and ought to do, put thofe good and
wholefome laws in execution, which were already
made, againft vice and immorality ; and that the
Lord was angry with fome of the better fort of peo
ple, becaufe they feek and mind the things of this
world, more than the things of God and his king
dom. But I was helped to clear myfelf in the morn
ing-meeting, to the fatisfaclion of many of the honeft
hearted, and unburden my mind of a great exercife1
that I had long lain under.

In the afternoon we had a large meeting at the
bank meeting-houfe, occafioned by the aforeiaid bu
rial j

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 125

rial ; the re fur reft ion of the dead was declared in that
meeting, according to the doctrine of our Saviour
Jefus Chrift, the great author of the Chriftian reli
gion, and alfo of that eminent apoftle Paul; and
^that old and falfe calumny, that our fociety denied
the refurreclion of the dead, was publickly denied
and refuted. The people were exhorted to live well
that they might die well ; and then they need nor
doubt but that they would rife well at the refurrec-
tion in the lad day. The meeting concluded with
praife to the Almighty for all his mercies, and prayer
to him, that he would fanctify that day's fervice to
the people.

In the tenth month I prepared for another voyage
to the ifland of Barbadoes, and had the fhip Briftol
Hope, configned to me, but the winter fetting in
fooner than common, cauled our flay much longer
than we expected, whereby I had the opportunity to
vifit divers meetings, as Burlington, the Falls of Dela
ware, Nefhaminy, Wrigbf s-^own^ and Philadelphia. In
this city a concern was on my mind to declare to
the people, that the Almighty had fhewed me, that
he had often vifited them in Philadelphia and Pennfyi-
<vania, with his own hand, and with his own rod;
but if that did not work the defigned end, for which
he vifited them, of which they were told alfo before
it came to pafs, he then would chaflife them with
the rod of man, and this was plainly fpoken to me in
my own habitation, as though it had been the voice
of a man, though it was not vocal.

The 1 2th of the eleventh month, being firft-day,
I was at Horjham meeting, and had a tender bowing
time therein; and in my way home vifited fome
friends who were fick, it being a time of general
vifitation in thofe parts, and the next feventh-day I
was at the meeting of minifters and elders at Phila
delphia, where we had a good meeting •, here I was
earneflly defired to be at the funeral of Edmund Orp-

P wood,

226 THE JOURNAL OF

woody the elded Friend belonging to Frankfort nueet*
ing, but was in a (trait, this Friend, being my neigh
bour, and I had before engaged to be at the burial of
one with whom I had been acquainted near 40 years,
therefore I did my endeavour to be at both, bein^
each of them buried in the afternoon, and five miles
diftant 5 the days being fhort alfb, divers told me it
was impracticable ; I told them they rni^ht be mif-
taken, as they were, for though we had a large meet
ing, and the company of Rowland Wilfon, from Bri
tain, who had large and good fervice therein, yet af
ter meeting we mounted and got to Philadelphia,
about a quarter of an hour after the corps was
brought into the meeting-houfe, as I was informed ;
\ve had a large, and as I thought, a good meeting;
after which I went home, being weary in my body,
but thankful in my heart, that the Almighty had
been with us, and helped us to perform that day's
jervice.

On the 20th of the eleventh month, and fecond-
day of the week, I went into a piece of ground,
Which^ I was clearing for meadow, in order to give
directions to the workmen, and one of the trees fell,
contrary to the kerf, and alfo to the wind, which
was then at north weft, and when I faw it falling to
wards me, I ran from it, but before I could get out
of the way, it fell upon me, acrofs my back, from my
ilioulder to my hips, and ftruck me down to the
earth, where for feme time I lay fpeechlefs, and in all
likelihood I fhould have been immediately killed, if I
had not been providentially preferved by the body of
the falling tree lying on a flump, which prevented
its cruihing me as 1 lay on the ground. A friend
that was near me with a horfe, defired the wood-cut
ters, when they were recovered from the furprizey
and I to the ufe of my fpeech, to help me on his
horfe, and I rode home, but in extreme mifery, and
I was under great concern left I fliould furprize my

wife

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 217

wife and children fuddenly. We fent to Philadel
phia for Dr. Griffith Oweny who came in about two
hours, and let me blood, and ordered feveral things
to be applied and taken, which through divine fa
vour proved very ferviceable to me ; notwithftand-
ing which I was in great pain many days, and long
and tedious nights, not being able either to feed my-
felf, nor turn in my bed, for a great while. In this
confinement I was at times favoured with a very com
fortable fenfe of the prefence of God, whofe Provi
dence is over all his works ; and as his love to me
was great, fo the love of his people was alfo, many
of whom, and of my neighbours, came to fee me,
fympathizing with me in my diftrefs ; but among
them I had one of Job's comforters, who wickedly
abufed me in this low (late. I can fcarce forbear
mentioning his name, having example for it in holy
writ, but through the Lord's help I will put on cha
rity.

The 9th of the twelfth month, I got abroad the
firfl time to our meeting at Frankfort, with which di
vers expreffed their gladnefs to fee me there again.
In this meeting I exhorted them to think on eternity,
and to prepare for it, by living to-day as though
they were to die to-morrow ; for I found it by ex
perience to be needful, and then if fudden death
comes, it will not furprize us.

As I now found it continue my bufinefs to go to
fea for a livelihood, I undertook the charge of the
fhip New Eriftol Hope, as mafler, though it was a way
of living to which I did not incline ; I took care in
our veflel that there fhould be no fwearing in my
hearing, nor drunkennefs to my knowledge, without
reproof, and if I could not be iniirumcntal that way
to break them from fwearing and drinking to excefs,
my manner was to put them away, fo that we gene
rally had a pretty quiet Ihip. We left Philadelphia
the i jth of the twelfth month, but Harms and con*

P 2 trary

228 THE JOURNAL OF

trary winds detained us in the river and bay, fo
that we did not get out to fea till the 2ift of the faid
month, when the pilot left us, by whom I wrote to
my wife and family ; and now I thought I felt the
benefit of the good wilhes of my beloved and dear
friends I left behind, which did me a great deal of
good, as it often hath done on the like occafion ; for
faithful friends, and good Chriftians, are as epiftles
written in one anothers hearts. In our palTage we
took feveral dolphins, which were very welcome to
us, we having a long paiTage, and our frefh provifi-
ons near fpent. The i9th of the firft month we faw
the ifland of Bar~badoesy having had feveral meetings
on board the ihip on this voyage, the good effects I
could fee but little of, only for that day they would
be a little more fober, and feme of them addicted to
iwearing, did not fwear fo often as they did before.
The day following we fafely arrived at Speight' s-Town,
•where, we had the next day a very comfortable meet
ing for the divine worfhip of God. The fifth-day
following 1 was at Bridge-fawn, at their week-day
meeting; and next firfl-day, being the 3oth of the
month, I was at a meeting at Pumpkin-Hill^ where I
was enlarged in the doctrine of faith.

After this I went to the Bridge, with a Friend from
New-England ; we had two good meetings, it being
the general-meeting for the Friends of the ifland, and
afterwards I with feveral Friends went again to
Speight's- f own* and on the i2th of the fecond month
I was at the Vbicket* SrMeeting, at which was counfel-
lor Weeks^ colonel Charnock, and juftice Sims ; I dined
with them at judge Week's, and they difcouried of
what was faid in the meeting about dancing, I quot
ing Luther's words, < That as many paces as the per-
* ion takes in the dance, fo many paces or ileps they
c take towards hell :' and I told them, that I had
heard feveral had ufed that va;n exercife in our meet-
ing-houfe, which was appointed for the worfhip of

God,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2231

God, and I faid, 1 hoped for the future it would be
fo no more -, two of thofe perfons who danced in our
meeting-houfe, were then in the meeting, though I
did not know it. This teftimony fo wrought on
the colonel, that he faid, c He could fcarcely feel his

< legs fince I fpoke it;' and the juftice faid, c If
c thefe words be true, he had taken many fteps to-
c wards hell •,' and the counfellor and judge faid,

< It was home doctrine to fome that were there :*
divers of them feemed to be touched with the tefti
mony of truth, though not fo folidly as I defired.
Soon after I went with Jojhua Byrch to vifit the go
vernor of the ifland, colonel Worjley^ who treated us
with much freedom and civility ; he defired me to
fit down by him, and then called for a decanter of
wine, of which he kindly offered me a glafs, but I
told him I chiefly drank water; he faid, water is
certainly the belt drink in the world, and told rne I
was a credit to my drink, as I looked as well, or bet
ter, than moft who drank wine.

In the fecond month I was at a meeting on a firft-
day at Bridge-Town* which was fome what larger than
ufual ; it was a good open time in the morning, but
more fo in the afternoon. At this meeting there was
a merchant of the town, who fent to know if our
Friends (he not being of our profeffion) would make
a contribution for me, in confederation of my lalles.
He laid he would contribute as much as any, although
he had heard me only that one time; but he was in
formed that we received no money nor pay for our
preaching-, yet his good-will I acknowledged.

The 4th of the third month I was at a meeting at
the Spring^ where I met with Jofepb Gamble, and
John Oxley and his wife, and feveral others, not
belonging to this particular meeting, and we were
edified together in the love and life of Chrift. I was,
concerned to fpeak of the divers visitations and
fpeakings of God to the people fince the world be-

P 3

230 THE JOURNAL OF

gan, quoting the words of holy writ, that cc God who
" fpake to the fathers by the prophets, fpeaks now in
" thofe lafl days by his Son, whom he hath appoint-
" ed heir of all things :" and that this difpenfation
is the laft and brighteft difpenfation of all, and is the
greateft and moft glorious manifeftation of God's
love to mankind •, and that befides this vocal fpeak-
ing of Chrift, when in the body on earth, he now
fpeaks fpiritually, which fpiritual fpeaking of Chrift,
in and to the true church, and true believers, will
out-laft time, and endure to all eternity; the great
Lord of all, for his unfpeakable benefit therein, was
praifed and glorified, as being alone worthy.

I had divers other meetings on the ifland, which I
pafs bv, not being willing to be prolix. After a
ilay of about nine weeks, we propofed failing. Judge
Gray, a very noted man, and much efteemed among
the people, took paffage with us -9 alfo Jojhua Byrcb>
of Bridge-Town, for his health, and William Callender,
and feveral others, as merchants. Though I came on
account of trade, our Friends gave me a certificate
that I had good fervice among them, and in my out
ward affairs had gained efteem among the people, as
well as in my fervice in preaching Chrift •, all which
I acknowledge to be the effeds of divine grace : di
vers Friends and acquaintance came to the fea-lhore
at Speight* s-Toivn, and in a great deal of tender
Chriftian love, and good defires, we took leave, and
committed one another to the protection of the Al
mighty. We had a comfortable paflage, and arrived
at Philadelphia^ where I was lovingly received by my
wife and friends.

In this voyage a great and weighty concern came
on my mind, on account of the young and rifing
generation, defiring they might be happy in this
world, and in that which is to come. And firil, as
to this world, * I have taken notice, that divers of
c the youth are too apt to wafte their outward fub-

< ftance.

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 231

* fiance, which often is given to them (for when they
c get it themfelves, they are for the moil part more

* faving of it) and this wafting and fpending, thofe

* fparks call generofity, liberality, good-nature, gen-
c tility, fine breeding, and abundance of other fine
c names, not confidering the labour and induftry,
c frugality, care and watchings of their parents
< or *anceftors, to get what they have/ May parents
note this well, and not be anxioufly concerned to gee
much wealth, which may be a means to ruin their
pofterity ! and truly mod of thefe fpending, drink
ing, company-keeping, gaming, chatting, tippling,
youngfters, take a great deal more care, how they
may get money from others, that they may fpend it,
than how to earn it, or faithfully labour for it them-
felves ; they will beg or borrow, and run in debt,
but take little or no folid thoughts to pay ; by which
means divers of thofe topping, beggarly beaus, and
fpenders,have brought both themfelves and relations,
parents and friends, to fhame and difgrace, and
fometimes to poverty, where their relations and pa
rents have been too liberal. Let all indulgent pa*
rents note this alfo.

And if any concerned perfon fhould advife thofe
inconfiderate youths of their evils, it is much if they
gain not their lading ill-will, and the epithets of
niggards and covetous, ill-natured, cenforious, four,
morofe, &c. However, I fhall venture to (land the
fhock of their difpleafure, and in as moving terms
as I can, confident with the matter on my mind, en
treat them to confider the end of their fpending, fioth-
ful, idle life, which if continued in, mud needs end
in their ruin, and they may repent when it is too
late, crying out, Oh ! that I had hearkened to the
advice of my father, and my indulgent mother ! Ohl
that I had taken the counfel of my good friends in
time, then I had not been in this condition, nor in
thofe ftraits I arn now in. This, or worfe, muft at

P 4 laft

THE JOURNAL OF

lail inevitably be the condition of thofe unthinking,
time- waft ing, and money-fpending, evil company-
keeping young people, of both fexes. Some of
whom, if they can get it, will fpend more in a few
hours, than their parents can get in fo many days,
which is very unreafonable, as well as unthinking;
for if the indulgent parents do not hold their hands,
truly they mutt all fink together ; and where the pa
rent have been, what thefe forts of youths call libe
ral, whole families have by fuch liberality been un
done, which is a cafe to be lamented by all fober
people.

1 pray our fpending youths to confider, how many
brave, fine young men and women, whofe parents
have left them eftates and handfome incomes, have by
fuch extravagancies foon fpent all, and fometimes
more than all, and difgrace and a gaol have been their
portion ; and how many, by living too faft, have died
too foon, much fooner than might be expected, ac
cording to the courfe of nature.

Wherefore I would advife them to regard what the
wife king Solomon faid, " Go to the ant thou flug-
4C gard, confider her ways, and be wife; fhe gather-
" eth her food in the fummer" (i. e. fhe prepares a-
gainfl the winter.) Though this may be defpicable
in the eyes of our fine gentlemen, and learned fpend
ing wits, yet there appears more wifdom in thefe
little induitrious animals, than in thofe great fpend-
ers, who, in the fpring and fummer of their years,
take fo little thought of faving what hath been with
fo much care gotten for them, or of getting more a-
gainft the winter or old age, which, if they live,
will certainly overtake them, when their youth or
fummer is gone.

But many youths object againft this advice, crying
out, as I have often heard, The aged give this advice
when they are old, but did as we do when they were
young as we are \ although this may be true in fome,

yet

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 233

yet it will not hold good in the genera!, and if it do
in fome, is not that maxim good, Let others harms
learn us to beware, before it be too late, that we fall
not into the fame fnare, which hath entangled or
caught thoufands, to their great lhame and re
proach ? Again, thofe who have been fo overtaken
in their youth, and are efcaped out of the fnare, are
more fit to caution or advife how to efcape it, or to
fhew thofe parts which led them into that labyrinth
of woe and mifery.

The author of all evil ufeth his utmoft fkill and
power to promote the practices of excefllve drinking,
&c. among mankind, it being a mighty fupport to
his kingdom ; for when the nobility of the under-
flanding is clouded thereby, then oh! how many
wicked oaths, oh ! what corrupt language, what
unhandfome, unbecoming words and actions, are
brought forth ! How is good manners corrupted !
How is the fober, chaflefoul offended, and above all
other confiderations, how is God difhonoured, and
the end of our creation fruflrated, and man con
demned !

When people are in thofe excefTes, how do they
take the facred name in vain, and fo bring themfelves
in guilty before God and man ; for he has pofitively
faid, He will not hold them guiltlefs, who take his
name in vain ; fo that let him plead never fo many
excufes, he is pronounced guilty by the judge of hea
ven and earth : therefore let me perluade the youth
to remember what the Lord by his fervants faid con
cerning drinking to excefs, Woe to the drunkards;
and that no drunkard lhall inherit the kindgom.
Again, Woe to them that are mighty to drink wine,
and men of ftrength to mingle ftrong drink, &c. If
it be objected, as it often is, when fuch poor fouls
are reproved, and their fins fet in order before them,
We trufl in the mercy of God, and the merits of
Chrift: I fay this is a good truft and hope, if upon

a good

THE JOURNAL OF

a good foundation ; but the wicked mud forfake
their ways, and the unrighteous their evil thoughts;
but what forfaking is that, when ftrong convidion
is upon the foul, to make covenants, vows and pro-
mifes, and break them from time to time ? and
though Chrift hath fatisfied the juilice of the Al
mighty for finners, it is for thofe who forfake their
fins, not thofe who plead for the practice of them,
and endeavour, by many vain excufes, to juftify
themfelves in them.

Since then the falvation of the foul is precious, and
hath coft the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and
is much more precious than health or wealth, why
fhould any be fo cruel and hard-hearted to them
felves, as, for a little vanity, froth and mirth, toys and
trifles, vain fports, and evil paflime, to plunge and
fink themfelves into the eternal gulph of woe and
mifery ; pray, O pray confider it, dear youths !

After my return from Earbadoes^ in the fourth
month, I vifited Friends meetings at Burlington, at
the Falls of Delaware^ Abington, German-Town^ and
was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort meet
ings ; which meetings were much to my fatisfaction ;
the Lord being pleafed to manifeft his goodnefs to
many, as alfo to my poor exercifed foul $, for which
I was truly thankful unto him,

In the fixth month I was at the general- meeting of
Friends at Derby, in Chefter county, which was a
large good meeting, divers Friends appearing there
in a lively miniiiry. About this time, fome thou-
fands of people came from Ireland, and alfo many
Palatines from Holland ; among whom, it is reported,
were Romans, or Papifts, feveral of whom, it was
faid, gave out threatning fpeeches, which caufed fome
condensation among the people.

At this large general-meeting, I exhorted them to
truflin the Lord, and not to diltruft that hand which
had hitherto preferved us by his Providence without

outward

THOMAS CHALKLEY. $35

outward force ; and that though the people who came
among us were many in number, yet we, having the
Lord on our fide, were more than they, in a myftical
fenfe -, putting them in remembrance of the prophet,
who, when his fervant was afraid, prayed to the Al
mighty, To open the eyes of his fervant, and when
they were myftically opened, he faw the mountains
full of chariots of fire, and horfes of fire, and that
they were more than their enemies. I was alfo con
cerned to exhort Friends to be good examples to thofe
flrangers, who came among us in fuch great num
bers; and that our lights, in our converfations,
might fo fhine, that thofe people, feeing our good
works, might glorify our Father which is in heaven,
according to the doctrine of Chrift ; and then we
fhould do them good, and they would do us no hurt,
but good alfo: but on the other hand, if we keep
not our places, and do not live in the fear of God,
nor according to our holy principles and profeffion,
that then it might be juft with the Lord God, to
make them a fcourge to us. Many were comforted
in this meeting, and God was praifed, who. is wor
thy.

On the 1 5th of the fixth month, having loaded the
fhip New Briftol Hopey a fecond time, I failed in her
from Philadelphia^ and having a concern to vifit
the meeting of Friends at Salem> I left the Ihip at
Gloucefter, under the care of the pilot, and went by
land to the firft-day meeting at Salem, and from
thence to Elfenborough> and ftaid till the (hip came
down; and on the 2oth of the month we got to fea,
and had a fair wind for feveral days, and lived very
lovingly on board, being refpeclfully treated by my
failors.

In this voyage we had feveral meetings on board,
the firft of which was at the requeft of my fecond
mate, to call the failors together in the cabin; 1 not
being forward to propofe it to them, left they fhould

fufpeft

236 THE JOURNAL OF

fufpect me of fome vanity, in defiring to preach to
them ; they not knowing the crofs of Chriil in that
exercife.

On the 24th day of the feventh month, at noon,
our fhip, by obfervation, being exactly in the lati
tude QiBarbadoes, we fleered away weft for the ifland,
and on the 26th we faw it, after five weeks and one
day leaving fight of Cape-Henlopen •, we having, after
the firft few days, light winds, calms, and head
winds, which made our pafTage long, and our fea
flores almofl fpent ; but now the fight of land made
the people forget all uneafinefs, and for this favour,
my heart was thankful to the great preferver of
men.

This time we came to a tolerable market with our
provifions, which made our (lay but fhort, yet I was
divers times at the Bridge meeting of Friends, as alfo
at Speight9 s-*Town> where my concerns chiefly lay,
and once at Pumkin-Hill meeting, in which meeting
it was obferved to the people, that the falvation of
the foul is precious, and that true religion is a folid
thing, a thing of the greateft moment to both body
and foul, and that people ought to be very ferious
and folidly concerned about it, taking fpecial care
to lay, or build, their religion on a fure foundation ;
it was fhewed them, that Chrift Jefus was the fure
rock and foundation of all the righteous, in all ages ;
he was the rock that followed Ifrael, which they drank
of 5 any other foundation than him, no man can lay ;
who is, in the truly religious, and the true believers,
the hope of their glory. Many other precious truths
were manifefted to us, in that meeting, for which we
praifed the Lord.

Soon after I went to Bridge-Town to clear out the
veflel, and was at their week-day meeting : the
fubjecl: matter I had to treat of in that meeting, was,
that the Lord bringeth low, and he raifeth up again -9
and that in divers refpects, as to kingdoms, fami
lies,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 237

lies, and particular perfons ; and as to health, wealth,
honour, &c. divers in that meeting were appealed to
as witnefTes of it. After this meeting I went to vifit
the governor, who was courteous to me, and took my
vifit kindly, and defired to be remembered to our go
vernor, and feveral others, and wifhed me a profper-
ous voyage, and well back again, which he hoped
would be in about three months. He faid, Who
ever lived to fee it, Pennfylvania would be the metro
polis of America, in fome hundreds of years. He
faid, He loved down-right, honeft men; but he
hated deceit and hypocrify. A great man, and a
great exprefiion !

The 2 1 ft of the eighth month, 1729, we, having
done our bufmefs, weighed anchor, and went to
fea : and on the 26th we had a good meeting with
the Ihip's company, for the fervice and worfliip of
God ; in which the gofpel of Chrift was declared
without partiality, and the reigning fins of failors
openly expofed, according to the doftrine of the gof
pel, and the moft high Lord entreated to carry on
in the earth the great work of reformation. Hi
therto we had fine, pleafant weather.

The beginning of the ninth month we had a very
bluftering, ftormy time, for many days, fo that we
could not carry fail, but fometimes lay by, and fome-
times went with a reeffed mainfail and forefail ; the
Ihip had fuch a violent motion, that it broke our
glaffes, and about a dozen bottles of wine, and our
earthen-ware, and ilrained our hogfheads and cafks,
fo that we pumped our molafTes into the fea, and bean
us back many leagues, and blew our fails out of the
bolt-ropes.

After thofe ftorms we had a calm, and the wind
fprung up weflerly ; our courfe being north-weft, or
thereabouts, we could barely lay our courfe ; yet, it
being moderate, we had caufe to be thankful.

The

THE JOURNAL OF

The 1 2th of the ninth month we found ourfelves
In the latitude of 36 deg. 17. min. north; but the
wind was a-h^ad, and our frefh flock of provifions
almoft expended, and winter coming on a-pace, the
nights dark and long, made it feem tedious to our
people; the which I was helped to bear with pa
tience.

The J4th day, about eight o'clock at night,
John Plajket, one of the beft of our failors, through
the violent pitching of the {hip, fell into the fea from
off the bowfprit; one of the failors, feeing him fall,
nimbly threw a rope to him, which he caught hold
of, and the people helped him into the fhip ; though
in all probability, he had perifhed in the fea, if he
had miffed taking hold of the rope; I was thankful
to the Almighty for this young man's life, and took
it as a great favour from heaven. The next day it
was dreadful ftormy, the wind blew violently at
ibuth-weft, with lightning, thunder, and much
rain; the leas ran fo high, and the fhip had fuch a
great motion, that the goods, or cafks, fhifted in
the hold, and we lay by till next day; our fails
alfo were much torn, and, in many places, blown out
of the bolt-ropes, fo that we were half a day mend
ing them, and then proceeded on our voyage home,
where we arrived the latter end of the month.

After 1 came home from this voyage, in the fmall
Hay I was on ihore, I was divers times at meetings
at Philadelphia and Frankfort, and was alfo at Ger-
man-Town^ at the burial of our ancient friend Dennis
Ctmrady who was one of the firft fettlers of this town
(as I underftood the firft meeting of Friends, for
worfhip, in it, was kept at his houfe.) He was a
man of an inoffenfive life, much given to hofpita-
lity, and left a good report behind him : the meet
ing was large, and many of the firft fettlers of the
country were there. I was alfo at the burial jof Ca-
y the daughter of Thomas Lightfoot, the wife

of

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

of James Miller, a worthy woman, who died foon
after their arrival from Ireland, and was buried from
our great meeting-houfe in Philadelphia, in a decent
and exemplary manner.

The latter end of the tenth month, Samuel Har-
rifon^ of New-Torky and Obadiah Lawrence, of Long*
JJland, favoured me with their company all night ac
our houfe, where we called the family together, and
had a feafonable time to take leave, they of me, and
1 of them, and rny family alfo ; and the next day
divers very dear Friends came with me to the boat,
to the river-fide, to take leave, and we parted with
hearts full of love and good-will to each other.

So I went on board at IViccacoe, and had a cold
pafTage down the river and bay, and left the Capes
the i ft of the eleventh month, being the third voyage
as mailer, and the 1 7th we pafled the <Tropick of Cancer.
Hitherto we had a comfortable paflage, and though,
we had a crowded fhip, yet we had peace and quiet-
nefs to a greater degree than I expected ; for men
that ufe the feas, are, too generally, inconflant as the
wind and waters they wade through. We had fe-
veral meetings on board the veflel in this voyage,
and were at fea about four weeks, before we arrived
at Barbadoes, and when we arrived, the markets were
dull, which occafioned our flay fo long as about
twelve weeks. During which time, I had divers re
ligious and good opportunities with thofe of our own,
and other focieties, I believe to general fatisfaction ;
having the good wifhes of people of all ranks, from
the governor to the poor negroes; all of whom I
profefs love to for (Thrift's fake.

This voyage, in our return home, we had a full
Ihip, and upwards of thirty paflengers, and was on
our pafTage home about a month, and had good com
fortable weather therein.

Soon after I came home from Barbadoes, in the
third month, 1730, \ went to ^ meeting at Burling-

240 THE JOURNAL OF

ton, at which was married Thomas Evans ; Margaret
Prejlon was alfo there ; it was a good meeting. I
crofled the river Delaware twice, vifited a Tick perfon,
and rode thirty miles that day. I alfo went to the
Falls meeting, and, after the faid meeting, appointed
another at Nejhaminy the fame day; after which, I
went with Jofeph Kirkbride to William Pax ton's, and
lodged : next morning Jofeph Kirkbride rode with me
home, and thence to Philadelphia. I was divers times
at Philadelphia, Frankfort, and German-Town, and at
the general-meeting at Frankfort, where our Friend
John Cadwalladcr was married j Ifaac Norris, Samuel
Prefion, and Margaret his wife, and John Oxley, were
at this meeting, with many other friends, a good
fhare of whofe company I got home with me, of
which I was glad, ever loving and coveting the com
pany of good men and women.

I was now preparing for the fourth voyage, as
mailer of the New Briftol Hope, for Barbadoes; but it
grew harder and harder for me to leave my family,
•which for many considerations, was very exercifmg ;
yet I was obliged to continue going to fea, upon an
honourable account -, L e. that no perfon might fuf-
fer by me, if I could help it; and having got our
vefTel loaded, we failed from Philadelphia the 9th of
the fifth month. Next day came to an anchor at
Chefter, and vifned my old Friend David Lloyd, who,
with his good fpoufe Grace, treated me with tender,
Chriftian Jove ; the judge and I, being old acquaint
ance, and both of us in years, and he not well, we
took leave, as if we were not to fee one another any
more, which happened accordingly, for he died be
fore I returned.

We weighed anchor at Chefter, and got down to
Elfenborough, and went to Salem meeting, it being
firft-day of the week, and i2th of the month, with
fome of our pafTengers and fiilors. The meeting
was pretty large, and I was carneilly concerned for

their

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 241

their welfare,, as I had often been when I was abfent,
and was glad I was with them that day.

After this meeting we proceeded on our voyage,
and left the Capes the i5th of the aforefaid month;
had fmall and contrary winds, and fometimes calms,
until the 2d of the fixth month, and firfb day of the
week, when the wind was at fouth and a hard gale,
the fea high, and the fhip having a great motion,
therefore we had not a meeting as ufual : many of
the paflengers were very fea-fick; as for my part,
I thought, if the Almighty was but with me, that
would make up for all difficulties; for in him was,
and is my life and chiefeft joy : and, as an anfwer
of peace in my tofled condition, 1 fometimes had
comfortable times; being inwardly refreshed with the
love and preience of God, not only in the day, but
alfo in the night, in my (leep ; out of which I was
awakened one morning, in the morning watch, with
thefe comfortable words, He took me to his ban
queting houfe, and his banner over me was love.
Thefe expreffions were fo frefh in my mind, for fome
days, that I could not forbear, but blefs the holy
name of the living Lord fecretly in my foul.

The 1 6th of the fixth jnonth we arrived at Barba-
does. The I7th there arofe, about midnight, a
hard gale of wind, which the Barbadians call a bur-
ricane^ or tornado, and blew more than ten veflels
afhore, great and fmall, which were wholly loft; and
our fhip was very near the rocks, people looking
every minute when fhe would come on fhore; but
through divine favour, we efcaped, with only the
boat (love againfl the rocks : I would have got on
board, but that was impracticable; but I got on the
higheft place I could, from which I could fee them in
the fhip, and they me on fhore ; for we could not,
for the violence of the wind, hear one another;
yet they were fo near the fort, where I flood, that I
could difcern them one from another, and they me

from

242 THE JOURNAL OF

from the multitude of people, many being in the fort
with me. I. feeing the chief mate look towards me,
I waved my hat to him, and he, in anfwer, his to me ;
then I made a fignal to him to go to fea, which they
immediately did, letting flip their cables, and went to
fea without either boat, anchor, or cables, and came
in the next day, and got their cables and anchors
again, to the great joy of many of the inhabitants,
whofe hearty prayers were for our fafety, as many of
them told me. This, among many others, I put in
my calendar of deliverances, and prefervations from
imminent dangers, by the hand of divine Providence.
We flaid this time in Earbadoes about five weeks,
leaving the ifland the 27th of the feventh month ; and
there I met with Robert Jordan, my friend and bro
ther in the work and fellowship of the gofpel of
Chrift, who took his paffage with \tefaPbiladelpbia,
whofe company was pleafant and comfortable. One
evening he was repeating fome verfes of the excellent
MdifwiS) which I willingly tranfcribed, as well in me
mory of that great author, as alfo that they anfwered
my rtate and condition in my watery travels, and in
the extreams of heat and cold, and fome poifonous
airs I have often breathed in. They are as follow :

I.

How are thy fervants blelt, O Lord !

How fure is their defence !
Eternal wifdom is their guide.
Their help Omnipotence.

II.
In foreign realms, and lands remote,

Supported by thy care ;
Through burning climes I pafs'd unhurt,
And breath'd in tainted air.

III.

Thy mercy fweetened every foil,
Made every region pleaie,

The

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 243

The hoary Alpine hills it warm'd,
And fmooth'd the Tyrrhene Teas.

IV.
Think, O my foul ! devoutly think,

How, with affrighted eyes,
Thou faw'ft the wide, extended deep,
In all its horrors, rife.

V.
Confufion dwelt in ev'ry face,

And fear in every heart,

When waves on waves, and gulphs on gulphs,
O'ercame the pilot's art.

VI.
Yet, then, from all my griefs, OLord !

Thy mercy let me free,
Whilft in the confidence of prayer,
My foul took hold on thee.

VII.
For though in dreadful whirls we hung,

High on the broken wave,
I knew thou wert not flow to hear,
Nor impotent to fave.
VIII.
' The ftorm was laid, the wind retir'd,

Obedient to thy will ;
The fea, that roar'd at thy command.
At thy command was (till.

IX.
In midft of dangers, fears and death,

Thy goodnefs I'll adore;
And praife thee for thy mercies paft,
And humbly hope for more.

X.
My life, if thou preferv'ft my life,

Thy facrifice (hall be ;
And death, if death mud be my doom,
Shall join my foul to thee.

The

244 THE JOURNAL OF

The 4th of the eighth month, we met with a hard
gale of wind, which broke the tiller of our rudder,
and fplit oiir bowfprit and mainfail, and overiet many
of our chefts ; Robert Jordan narrowly miffed his
cheft falling on him from one fide of the fhip to the
other, which we looked on as a merciful providence,
and fpoke of it to one another, remembering Addi-
fon's verfes, which the night before were repeated.

In this paffage we faw three veffels only; it was a
hindering time, but the fhorteft from land to land
that ever I had, being but 14 days and 14 hours from
the fight of Barbadoes to the light of the main land :
we arrived nt Philadelphia the i6th of the eighth
month.

In the ninth month I proceeded on a fifth voyage,
as matter, to Barbadoes^ and went down the river
Delaware on the feventh-day, and on firft-day was at
Chefter meeting, at which time there was a burial of
a child, and a large meeting: our Friends at Chefter
were glad to fee me, and I them, arid after meeting
we fet fail, and went down the river to Elfenborough,
where came to and landed Robert Worthington, whole
fon Ezra was on board, and went to Barbadoes for
his health, being in a deep confumption.

This voyage we were on our paffage about 33 days
before we arrived at Barbadoes, when after doing my
bufmefs, and vifiting our Friends meetings, in about
five weeks, we put to fea the loth of the twelfth
month, and failed along to leeward of divers iflands,
till we came to dnguilla, where we landed in expecta
tion to get fait, but at this time was not any to be
had there. We came to an anchor here in the night,
hoping to get to an harbour before it was dark ; but
it foon being very dark, and coming into fhoal water,
we faw a large rock, and came to by the fide of ic,
jn about five or fix fathom water, taking it ro be a
{hip, arid when it was day \vc faw our miftake, and
that inftead of a veflel, we were too nigh a rock,

and

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 245

and the wind coming about, tailed our fhip towards ic
fo near, that we were fenfible of touching twice ; ]
ordered the men to heave a little farther a-head, and
fo we lay clear till morning. When morning came,
of which we were glad, feveral boats, with a cable,
came to us, and the people advifed us to put a fpring
on our cable, and cut it, that (he might caft the right
way; which accordingly we did, and it had the de-
fired effccl ; fo that we foon got into a very fine har
bour, it being about a mile off. Many thanks were
given by many of the people for this deliverance to
die Almighty. George Leonard, the governor of this
ifland, heard in the morning, that a veflel was on the
rocks, and the people were running with faws and
axes, in order to break her up, if fhe ftiould not be
got off: the governor feeing them, fent a lieutenant
with orders, that let her belong to what nation fo-
ever, they ftiould help to get her off, if it could be,
and if (he was likely to be made a wreck, he charged
them at their peril not to meddle with her, nor any
thing belonging to her, until they had firft come
to terms with the mailer, which is worthy to be
recorded.

We ftaid feveral days before we could get our
anchor; for after we were in the harbour, it blew
very hard for four or five days ; fo that with our four
oars we could not row our boat a-head, but watching
for a calm one night, our people went and got it,
and then we went into the principal road and harbour
in the ifland called Croaker 's-Bay, the name of that
we came from was Rendezvous- Bay, where lived a very
kind Friend of ours, named John Rumncy, who, with
his wife and family, treated us with great love, and
courteouily received us into their houfe, and he went
with me to the governor's, who was my old acquaint
ance and friend, who with much love and tender-
nefs, when he knew me, took me in his arms, and
embraced me, and lovingly faluted me with a kifs ot'

charity

246 THE JOURNAL OF

chanty, and thanked God for our deliverance, and
that he had lived to fee me once more (I having been
there fome years before); he was feventy odd years of
age, as I remember, and had eighty odd who called
him father: they living much on roots and pulfe,
are very healthy in this ifland. I was here nine days,
and had feven meetings with the people ; the longer
1 ftaid the larger the meetings were ; ib that I had
fome difficulty to leave them. Through the grace
and gift of God I was helped to preach the gofpel of
Chrift freely, and they received it both freely and
thankfully, divers, if not all ; for theirs and my 'heart
was very open one to another, the Lord's holy name
be praifed for ever.

The 3d of the firft month, Ezra Wortbrlngion died>
and the 4th in the afternoon he was buried on the
plantation of John Rummy,, near his houfe ; the go
vernor and his fbn-in-law were at the burial, where
I told them, that he was an inoffenfive, innocent, fo-
ber young man, and that death was to be the end of
us here, putting them in mind to remember their
latter end. After I had clone fpeaking, the governor
faid, That death was a debt due to nature, and that
we muft all pay it, and blefled is the man that in
time truly prepares for it. This was a good expref-
fion for a man in his poflr, and worthy of my notice,
as I thought.

I was at one meeting, where was the governor and
his daughter, with divers of the beft and fo bereft
people of this ifland; it was a fatisfadory meeting,
which ended in prayer ; and when I arofe from my
knees I found the governor on one fide, and his
daughter on the other fide of me, both on their
knees, a poflure in which people are too feldom
found in this degenerate age of the world.

On the loth of the firft month, we departed from
the ifland of Angmlla> with a pleafant gale ; and had
fair weather and winds for feveral days j J Ipenc

fdlttC

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 247

fome time of this voyage in reading, and met with
a paffage of, or concerning friendfhip • the coimort
and beauty of it therein was notably fet forth, yet
moft who treat upon that noble fubjeft, place, too
generally, the felicity thereof in humanity : whereas
"rue and lafting friendfhip is of a divine nature, and
can never be firmly fettled without divine grace :
Chrift Tefus is the prime friend of mankind, and from
whom all true and lafting friendlhip fprings and
flows, as from a living fountain, himfelf being the
head-fpring thereof; out of which holy fountain hath
fprun- as followeth, Henceforth I call you not fer-
vantst and ye are my friends, if ye do whatioever I
command you. And again, By this ft all all men
know that ye are my difciplcs, if ye love one ano
ther O holy exprefiions ! much to be admired, and
worthy every true and good man's and woman s
imitation and practice. Obferve, that when they
had done whatioever Chrift had commanded them,
then they were to be his friends, and they were not
only to be his friends, but one another* friends, as
he was theirs, and if occafion were, as he died, io
they would die for one another. By this mark and
trueft feal of the trueft friendfhip, ail the world
Ihould know they belonged to Chrift, that they were
united to him, and in him united to one anotner.
Nothing but difobedience and fin can ever feparate

this friendfliip.

Againft this friendihip, which is in Chrift, and
o-rounded and founded upon him, the gates 01 hell
can never prevail •, all friendlhip, upon any confi-
deration, merely human, is brittle and uncertain, and
fubjed to change, or mutability, as experience hath
taught in all ages.

If any perfon hath a defire to have a particular
friend, let that perfon be lure to make choice of
Chrift, and, fuch as choofe him, have a friend m
whom all lafting peace, comfort aad delight, joy

and

248 THE JOURNAL OF

and pleafure is, and in him alone is to be enjoyed
for ever.

The 2oth of the firft month, being the firft of the
week, we had a comfortable meeting for divine
worfhip, in which the goodnefs of God was extend
ed to us as we were rowling on the mighty waters of
the great deep, after which we had pleafant weather,
and a fair wind for feveral days.

On the 26th the wind fprung up at eaft north-eafr.,
a hard gale, which lafted feveral days; and having
but little fea-room for about thirty hours, it blew fo
hard, that we could drefs no vi6tuals ; I then thought
on the words of Job, when he fpoke to his impatient
wife, faying, c< Shall we receive good at the hand of
cc God, and fhall we not receive evil alib ?" or that
which is accounted or looks like evil in the eye of
man. In this time of exercife, the love and heaven
ly life of God, in his beloved Son, filled my heart,
and caufed an overflowing of praifes to his holy, glo
rious, and blefTed name. Oh ! it was exceeding
precious to my foul at that time !

The ift of the fecond month we faw land, being
driven to the fouthward near 250 miles in this lail
hard weathers but we foon after arrived at our de-
fired port.

After which I vifited the meetings of Friends at
Philadelphia, Burlington, the Falls, Abington, German-
^own, Briftol, and Frankfort, and found the people
had been under a general vifitation of the fmall-pox,
info much that many hundreds, efpecially of chil
dren, were taken off the ftage of this life in the city
of Philadelphia^ and I was concerned to exhort Friends
in that city to bring their children to meetings, and
educate them, when young, in the way they fhould
go, that they might not depart from it when old ;
and that he who had taken many away, could, if he
pleafed, take many more ; for though he might have
laid down his rod at prefent (the diftemper in the

city

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 24.9

city being much abated) he could foon take it up
again. It is my belief that the Lord Almighty will
ftiH continue to vifit the city and people, if there is
not a reformation, with further, if not (brer, vifitati-
ons, becaufe he hath known them to do them good,
and make them a blefling to many iflands and peo
ple-, giving them the fatnefs of the earth, and that
which is far more, the dew of heaven ; fo that he
may juftly fay to us, as to Ifrael ot old, " You have
" I known of all the families of the earth ; therefore
<c I will vifit upon you for all your iniquities."

In the beginning of the fourth month, Robert
Jordan was married to Mary, the widow of Rich
ard Hill, all three worthy Friends. The meeting on
this occafion was large, and the marriage folemni-
zed in the fear of God. Divers Friends were con
cerned to fpeak to the people, and it was greatly de-
fired that thofe prefent, who were then fpoke to,
might be married to Chrift, the great lover of fouls,
who laid down his life, the moft precious life that
ever was on earth, and (bed his precious blood for
our falvation.

A few days after which I again took (hipping for
the ifland of Barbadoes, being the fixth voyage, in the
New Erijlol Hope, and left the Capes of Delaware the
8th day of the month. The 22d of the laid month,
I being weary, laid me down to reft, and fell afleep,
and was awakened out of my fleep with thefe words,
Oh heart in heaven ! It is an excellent thing to have
an heart in heaven ! Which words were comfortable
to me, and left a fweetnefs on my mind all the day-
after, for which I was thankful, and greatly defired
that my heart and mind might be fet and fixed more
and more on heaven and heavenly things, and that
my treafure might be in heaven, that my heart might
be there alfo, according to the doctrine of my Sa
viour, Mat. vi. 6, 20, 21, " Lay up for yourielves

" treafure

250 THE JOURNAL OF

' treafure in heaven, for where your treafure is
c< there v/ill your heart be alfo."

The 2;th day, being the firft-day of the week,
we had a comfortable meeting, the weather being
moderate; and on the 7th of the fifth month, we ar
rived at Bridgetown, in Barbadoes, where we unload
ed part of our cargo, and from thence we went to
Speight's-Town* where, after a flay of about five
weeks, we accomplifhed our affairs. I alfo vifited
all our Friends meetings, and fome fevcral times, in
which we were edified and comforted, and divers of
us had occafion to blefs the holy name of God for his
mercy to us : before we left the ifland, there happen
ed a great ftorm or hurricane, which did much da
mage to the fhips, and to the ifland, blowing down
many houfes, andfpoiling much provifions, deftroy-
ing almoft all the plantain trees on the ifland, which
is a very wholefome and pleafant fruit, and much
ufed by many inftead of bread.

I was clearing out our veilel when this ftorm hap
pened, and being twelve miles off, could not hear of
or concerning her, but thought it altogether unlike
ly that fhe fhould ride out fo great a ftorm, in fo bad
a harbour or road, it being open to the fea, and fuch
a ftorm as had not been known for many years, and
lome faid, never but one, to their knowledge, though
much more damage hath at fome other times been
done to^the (hipping, by reafon that the harden: of
the wind was not that way, which was moft dano-e-
rous to them in CarllJle-Eay, where they moftly la°y ;
for they all got out to fea, except two or three that
were loft by the violence of the weather. It was
indeed a very difmal time, the veffels which rode it
out were much damnified, and one being loaded,
ready talaii, funk right down, and was loft in the
bay. When I had cleared our Ihip, I let forward in
order to fee what was become of her; but the floods
were fo out, and the ways were fo bad, I could not

without

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 251

without fome danger get to her that night ; but next
morning 1 let out from Jofepb Gambled, and, to my
admiration, from the top of a hill, on which a houfe
in the ftorm was blown flat to the ground, I faw our
fliip at an anchor, having rod,- out the ftorm, with
one (loop by her, for which caufe my foul was hum-
blv thankful. .

On the i;th of the faid month, with fome more
than ordinary fatigue, we got up our anchor, and
took in our boat, and got our paflfcngers and provi-
fions on board, the fea breaking high on the fhore,
fo that feveral of our people and our boat were in
ieopardy of being loft ; but at length being all on
board, we fet fail, and having failed (lowly about fix
or feven miles, we met with a (loop who had loft her
maft in the ftorm, and next 'morning we met with,
two large London (hips, who had put out to fea, not
venturing to ride it out.

We had fine pleafant weather for feveral days
after we left the ifland, and on the 22d of the fixtli
month, being the rirft-day of the week, we had
a meeting for the worfhip of God, which was
comfortable and fatisfadory to us. The 4th and 5th
of the feventh month, we had very frefh gales from
the north-eaft to the north, and was near a water-
fpout, about a ftone's throw off, which furpnzed
fome on board, on which! came out of my cabin, and
faw the water run up out of the fea into the cloud, as
plain as ever I faw the water run into the river, till
it filled the cloud with blacknefs, and then it would
break in great quantities into the fea, which is dan
gerous, when failing on velTels. The £th of the
month, being the firft-day of the week, we had a
o-ood religious meeting for divine worfhip, wherein
our people were earneltly exhorted to a holy life, and
to be earneftly concerned for the true faith, which is
in Clirift ; that faith which works by love, and is the
evidence of things not vifibly feen, being manifeft

by

252 THE JOURNAL OF

by works of piety and virtue. In this voyage we were*
twenty- two days from the ifland of Barbadoes to the
fight of Cape Henry in Virginia, and had a pleafant
paffage in the main to Philadelphia, where, in the
feventh month, was held our yearly-meeting, at which
I had a defire to be, my watery employment having
hindered my being at a yearly-meeting for feveral
years : at this meeting I met with my old acquaint
ances, and dear Friends, John Richard/on, of Tork-
Jhire, and Paul Johnfon, of Dublin, both on a gofpel
vifit to the brethren and Friends in America. The
meeting was large, and attended with divine grace
and goodnefs, and ended with thankfgiving and
praife to God and the Lamb.

While our fhip -was loading, I was at feveral meet
ings in* the country, as at Abington, German-1 'own,
Fair-Hill, and Frankfort, in Philadelphia county ;
and at the Falls of Delaware, Buckingham, Nejhaminy,
and Briftol, in Bucks county. I was alfo at Burling
ton, at the marriage of William Calender, junior, of
Barbados*) with Katherine Smith, daughter of Daniel
and Mary Smith, of Burlington.

On the i6th of the ninth month I proceeded on
the feventh voyage to Barbadoes, in the fhip New Brif-
tol Hope, as matter, having on board feveral paffen-
gers, one of whom, Elizabeth Martindale, was on the
paflage convinced of the principles of truth, and af
terwards fuffered, in divers refpe&s, for her making
profefiion with us.

We had a long paffage down the river, the wind
being high and boifterous. On the 22d of the ninth
month, we left the Cafes of Delaware, and faw the
ifland of Barbadoes the 2ift of the tenth month, be
fore it was day, and in the afternoon came to an an
chor in the bay of Speight* s-Town. In this voyage I
met with an accident that was painful and trouble-
fome to me, which happened in a hard gale of wind,
I being to -the windward, and the fhip having a large

motions

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

motion, and miffing my hold, was canted from my
place to the other fide of the vefiel, againft the edge
of a cheft, and fo bruifed my leg that I could noc
do my bufmefs as I ufually did, which was a great
hindrance and difappointment to me: but in about
a month's time, with the affiftance of fome of my
friends there,, I got indifferently through it, and alfo
rode to Bridge-Town, and had feveral meetings there.
I was alfo at feveral good and comfortable meetings
at Speight 's-'T. 'own , where we had one the day we failed,
being the 21 ft of the eleventh month ; and on the
fea-fhore parted with our friends in great love, and
fet fail, the wind being about north-eaft, fo that
we could not weather the ifland of Martinico -, we
therefore failed along by the iflands of Dominica, and
Guadaloupe, and had calms under the iilands, and
fometimes the eddy winds from off the mountains, or
high lands, would take the fails, and carry the fhip
clear round, which made it fometimes tedious. The
ajd and 24th we parTed by the iflands of Montjerraty
Antigua, Rodondo, Cbriftopber's, Nevis, Bartholomew^
Statia, Sab a, Barbuda, Martins, and Anguilla, the
winds and the weather being fair and pleafant. The
25th in the evening, it began to be hazy; and, in
the night we fplit our main-top-fail, which coft us
a great deal of labour, and lofs of time, before we
could get it mended and fet again. We had pretty
fair weather about 20 days, until we came on our
coaft, and into foundings ; when a hard gale of
wind fpringing up eafterly, which fetting on the
Ihore, was dangerous, and we had a long night
coming on ; but, through the favour of the Almigh
ty, we got off from the land. In the midft of the
danger of this ftorm, my foul fang praifes to the
Lord.

The 1 2th of the twelfth month we met with ano
ther eafterly ftorm, being in about thirty fathom
water, it blew, and rained very hard, and was alfo

exceeding

254 THE JOURNAL OF

exceeding cold, and our coming from a hot climate
made it more hard to bear. In this ftorm we faw di
vers lights, which the Tailors call corpufants, one of
them was exceeding bright, and fat, as near as I can
compute it, about half an hour on our main-top-
maft head, plain to the view of all the (hip's com
pany, divers of whom faid they never faw the like,
and I think I never heard of, or faw the like before.

This ftorm continued all night till day, when it
abated, and it being the firft of the week, we had
a comfortable meeting, in which the people on board
were advifed to get divine and heavenly learning, and
not to be fools in religion, or in the things of God,
nor to hate his true knowledge; for if they had all
the natural knowledge, and brighteft natural parts in
the world, they would be but fools without the
true fear of God, which the wife king Solomon fays,
Is the beginning of wifdom.

The 27 th of the month we faw Cape Henlopen, hav
ing been 27 days from the ifland of Barbadoes : this
was a clofe, foggy day, we could fee but very little
before us, and had like to have been a-ground on the
Ihoals, which they call the Hen and Chickens^ but went
between them and the Cape^ in three fathom water;
the wind blowing hard at fouth, we went up the bay
by the lead, for we could not fee the land ; and the
gale being fo frefh, we got to Bombay-Hook^ from our
Capes, in about iix hours, which is accounted twenty
leagues, where we came to an anchor, and there met
with abundance of ice. Merciful was the delive
rance and prefervation we met with, from the hand
of the Almighty, this voyage, may we ever gratefully
remember it! About a league above Bombay-Hooky
when the fog broke up, we found ourfelves clofe on
the Jerfey fhore ; and the wind fprung up at north-
weft, and obliged us to come to an anchor; where
the ice came down upon us, which furprized fome of
us much. The fudden coming out of fo hot a cli
mate,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 255

mate, into one fo feverely cold, had a bad effect on
molt of our (hip's company ; and for my own part,
I had a fore fit of the phthyfick, and was at times,
almoft breathlefs, and thought I mud die, for I could
hardly breathe, or fpeak ; but yet I refolved, as long
as I was capable of thoughts, I would think of God,
and my beloved Jefus; in which thoughts and me
ditations I found fome comfort and confolation. I
fat up for divers nights, not being able to lie down
for want of breath ; and I could not drink any itrong
drink, as rum, wine, ale, or punch, fuch as the fai-
lors drank ; but, inftead thereof, I drank fage tea,
which was very helpful to me.

The next day, the ice came down more and more
upon us, and we feared to put back, becaufe, if we
had gone a-ground in the bay, the ice might have
demolifhed us ; fo we took the mod convenient time
we could, and got up our anchor, with fome diffi
culty, and flood for Reedy '-I/land, one of the bed
harbours upon the Delaware •, but the wind and tide
failing us, we could not get in ; and the ebb brought
down the ice mightily on us, fo that it took away
the head of our veffel, and cut her fides very much.
The next tide we got into the harbour, and lay clofe
to Reedy -I/land, making the fhip fait on fhore.
While we lay here, feveral veffels came to us, and
fattened on fhore as we did. The ice drove one vef
fel on us, and broke our fpritfail yard. Here I went
on fhore, where the people were very kind to us,
particularly the fheriff of the county, John Gooding,
and his wife and family. I went alib to the houfe of
John M'Cool, who, with his wife, were very tender
in their care and love towards rne; bathing my
fwelled and benumbed limbs until the froft was
pretty well out of them. The good-will, and ten
der love and care, I here met with, affects my mind
in the noting of it : I pray the rnoft High, whom I
love and ferve, to be their rewarder.

I had

THE JOURNAL OF

I had two meetings at our meeting-houfe at
George s- Creek* where was people of divers perfua-
fions, who gave good attention. . For thefe meetings
I was truly thankful •, for though, through the ex
treme cold, I could hardly fpeak when on board, I
now fpoke freely, much to my admiration, and I be
lieve to the people's fat is faction, more than is pro
per for me to mention, wherefore I praife God.
When the weather was a little more open, and the
ice gone, we failed up the river to Philadelphia^
•where I was joyfully received by my friends-, and
while the vefTel was repairing and fitting for another
voyage, I was not idle, but vifited Friends meetings
at Philadelphia^ Burlington, Abington, German-*? own,
Bilerry, Fair-bill, and Frankfort, being fometimes au
four or five meetings a week. I was alfo at Haddon-
eldw&EveJham meetings in Weft-JerJey ; both good
and comfortable meetings, and will not eafily be
forgotten ; for therein God was gracioufly pleafed to
vifit us with his word, biefied be his name.

The 4th of the third month, we again fet fail for
Speighfs-'f own, in Barbddoesi and the 6th of the
month, about fix in the morning, left the Capes of
Delaware. From the time we left the fight of the
Capes of Delaware^ to the fight of Barbadoes, was
twenty-five days, which was the quickeil voyage
that ever I had in this (hip, in which time we had
three meetings for the publick worfhip of Almighty
God, and to me they were beneficial -, and for God's
goodnefs, I could do no lefs than return praife to
him, who alone is worthy for ever.

After I had done my bnfmefs at Barbadoes, and
vifited Friends meetings, on the 5th of the fifth
month I failed for South-Carolina, touched at the
ifland of Chriftopher's, and landed fome paffengers
there. From thence we went to fea, and the fame
night we had a ftorm, but fuffcred little, the wind
beTng for us, that we went before it, and after it was

over,

THOMAS, CHALKL.EY. 257

over, we had a pleafant paffage of about fourteen
days to the coaft of Carolina-, and when we faw the
land, the wind came againft us, which made fome of
our paffengers very uneafy ; but in meditating on
the infinite Being, I was favoured with inward com
fort and ftrong confolation, fo that I was humbly
thankful, and praifed God.

We were prevented by contrary winds, and a
ftrong current, from getting into Charlejlon, and
while we were beating about the coaft, we met with
a, veffel which came from thence, who gave us in
telligence that many people died fuddenly, and that
they buried ten or twelve in a day. Hearing fuch
news, and the wind being ftill againft us, our patfen-
gers, who intended for Carolina, concluded to go for
Philadelphia •, fo we tacked about, and flood for De
laware-bay, and then we had a freih gale a-head a-
gain for feveral days, and fpendingfo much time on
the coaft, our water was far expended, and we agreed
to come to an allowance of water, a quart a man for
twenty-four hours, for feveral days before we got in.
We were about five weeks in our paffage from Bar-
badoes to Delaware river.

Soon after our arrival at Philadelphia, we got our
Ihip on the ways, in order to refit and fheath her, in
which time I travelled into feveral counties, and had
many religious meetings in divers places, in which I
had good fatisfadlion ; and my old acquaintance and
friends faid, they rejoiced to lee me again after my fea
voyages. I was thankful in my heart for the good
will of my good Mailer, and of my friends, in thofe
journeys, which was, and, I hope, ever will be better*
to me 'than choice filver, ana fine gold.

The winter fetting in about a month fooner than
ufual, many veflels were detained from going to fea,
being frozen up; alfo many veiTeis could not come
from fea up the river, fo that a great damp was put
on trade, and the froft coming fo fuddenly, many

R people

THE JOURNAL OF

people were taken with colds, and many died in both
the provinces of New-Jerfey and Pennsylvania. My
dear friend and kind landlord Paul Prefton> died
about this time, who on his dying bed, faid, c He

* had no defire to live, but to do good, and that it

* had been his care to keep a confcience void of of-
c fence towards God, and to all men, which now was
« his comfort.' The hard weather continuing, I
found an exercife and concern on my mind to vifit
Friends meetings in the county of Bucks^ in Pennjyl-
<vaniay and the county of Burlington, in Weft-Jerfey ;
in both which I was at above twenty meetings in
about twenty days. In this journey I was favoured
•with the grace and goodnefs of the divine hand, to a
greater degree than I was worthy of, though I was
exceeding poor in my fpirit, and in my own judg
ment, very weak for fervice and labour, both in body
and mind ; our meetings, confidering the fevere
feafon, were large, and, 1 hope, they were to general
edification.

On the 25th of the tenth month, being the repu
ted birth day of our Lord Jefus Chrift, at a little
town, near the Falls, called Borden-town, we had a
meeting, where never any had been before of our
Friends, in one of the houfes newly built by Jojepb
Borden, the proprietor of the place. He entertained
us lovingly at his houfe, when he was fo generous as
to offer ground for a grave-yard, and to build a
meeting-houfe on, and a hancllbme fum of money
towards building it, though he did not make profef-
lion to be of our fociety. Some that were at this
meeting, who did not profefs with us, came over the
creek on the ice, to Ifaac Hornet's, in the evening,
where we had a fatisfaclory meeting, in which God,
through Chrift, was glorified. Daniel Slant on, my
wife's filler's fon, accompanied me in this journey,
whofe company and miniilry was acceptable, both
to me and Friends, and we had meetings at the Falls >

Brijiol3

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 259

Eriftol, Middle-town, Wrights -town, Borden-town*
Crofwicks, Mansfield, Upper and Lower Springfield*
Mount-holly, Rancocas, Evejham, and Chefter, and di
vers evening-meetings at feveral Friends houfes. It
now being a fickly time, I was often fent for to vifit
the fick, in which vifits we were comforted, and
God's holy name was praifed.

On the 1 8th of the eleventh month I was fent for
to Briftoly to vifit Ennion Williams, who was danger-
oufly ill, and to Burlington, to the burial of Elizabeth^
the wife of Jonathan Bright, who was buried from
the great meeting- houfe at Burlington. The meeting
was very large, fhe being well-beloved by her neigh
bours and acquaintance, being a woman much givea
to hofpitality, and indeed many of the Friends of Bur
lington have exceeded in that refpect the mod that
ever I have obferved in my travels; fhe was a pattern
of piety, a loving, obliging wife, and tender and
careful mother, a kind neighbour, a loving and
faithful friend, and fo continued to the end-, for
fome of her dying words were, That fhe defired her
love might be remembered to all her friends, which
was done openly in the faid meeting, and tenderly
affected many.

After I came home, I was at the marriage of Wil
liam Parker and Elizabeth Gilbert, at which marriage
was our worthy, ancient friend, John Richardfon,
with divers other European Friends. The meeting
was large and edifying.

The river ftill continuing frozen up, I had a defire
to vifit my friends and brethren in Chejler county,
whom I had not feen for fome years ; and in order
thereto, in the beginning of the twelfth month, I,
with my kinfman Daniel Stanton, fet out from Phila
delphia, and went to New-town, where we had a meet
ing next day, being the firft of the week, and after
wards an evening-meeting at Evan Lewises -, from
thence we went to the monthly-meeting at Providence,

R 2 on

-^THE JOURNAL or

on third-day to Middle-town, fourth-day to Concord,
fifth-day to Birmingham^ fixth-day to London-Grove ;
after which we had an evening-meeting at a widow's
houfe; from thence we travelled on fevemh-day to
Nottingham, and were at a large meeting there on
firft-day, and had an evening-meeting at a Friend's
houfe, where fome perfons came, who had never been
at a meeting of Friends before ; on fecond-day we
had a meeting at Sufquehannah ferry, to which divers
people came over the ice, and it was a good oppor
tunity to many of them. Third-day we had a large
meeting at Weft-Nottingham, and in the evening at
William Rrewn's ; and next we had a large meeting at
New-Garden; and at Michael Lightfoofs houfe we
met with two Friends from Ireland, Mungo Bewly and
Samuel Stephens, who were now proceeding on the
courle of their religious vifie to Friends in Maryland,
Virginia, and North-Carolina. From thence I went
to viiit my old friend and acquaintance Ellis Lewis,
who had a defire to fee rne : we had an evening-
meeting in his chamber, to our mutual comfort and
refrefliment -, and next day had a very large meet
ing in the meeting-houfe at Kenmt ; after which we
went to Concord to the quarterly-meeting for the
county of Chefter, and were at three meetings there,
and likewife had three evening-meetings at Friends
houfes ; at which meetings we had the company of
iny kinfwoman, Alice Alder fony and her companion
Margaret Coufland, who were lately come from the
north of England^ to vifit Friends in this and the ad-
jacent provinces.

We went on third-day to the general-meeting at
Providence, which was very large ; Jojhua Fielding and
Ebenezer Large were there ; and we had an evening-
meeting at Rebecca MinjhalFs ; and next went to
(Jhichefter^ where we had a larger meeting than I ex
pected, conlidering the feafon -, we lodged at John
-, and on fifth-day we had a good, open

meeting

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 261

meeting at Chefter, and, in the evening, another at
Grace Lloyd's ; next day had a meeting at Springfield,
which I believe will be remembered by fome that
were there, when we do not fee one another 5 after
wards we travelled to Philadelphia.

In this year 1732, arrived Thomas Penn, one of
the proprietors of Pennfylvanw, and fon of the truly
honourable William Penn, governor and proprietor of
this province, a wife man, a good Chriftian, and a
mild governor, a great promoter of piety and virtue,
and of good men. May this his ion walk in his

fteps !

In the firft month was our general fprmg-mec ing,
at which were leveral publick Friends from England,
viz. John Richardfon, Alice Alderfon, and Margaret
Copland. The meeting was large and edifying, the
laid Friends having fervice therein to general fatis-

faction.

The 2d of the fecond month, I proceeded on a
voyage to Barbadoes, it being the firft, in the fnow
Barbados Packet, a veffel built on purpoie for me.
We got to the Capes the 2Oth of the fecond month
in the evening, where we were obliged to come to
an anchor •, and the 2ift we put out to fea, but the
wind being againft us, and looking like windy wea
ther, I concluded to come to under our Cape, and
wait for a fair wind : as foon as our fnow came to,
we got our boat out, and went to Lewis-Town^, and
next" day, being firft-day, we had a meeting ^ the
court-houfe. In this town is an Epifcopal, and a
Prejbyterian meeting-houfe ; but neither of their
teachers were that day in town, and divers of the
people were glad of a meeting, and 1 had a good op
portunity with them. Afcer meeting I went on
board, and weighed anchor, and had a fair wind for
above a week after : in which time we overtook the

fliip Amity, Bowling, matter, near the latitude ot

Bermudas, where we had fmart gales of wind, which

R 3 obliged

262 THE JOURNAL OF

obliged us to carry our topfails double-reefed ; and,
after having been at lea 27 days and one night, in
which time we had feveral meetings, we faw the
ifland ot Barb ado es ; though, for the moft part, we
had contrary winds ; but all was well, and God
blefled, who is for ever worthy.

The 2oth of the fourth month, having done my
bufinefs, and alfo vifited Friends meetings, we failed
for Philadelphia ; and on the 25th of the fourth
month, being firfl-day, we had a feaibnable and fer-
viceable meeting, wherein the Almighty was worfhip-
ped and prailed, and the people exhorted to fobriety
and temperance. We were about twenty days from
Barbadoes to Philadelphia.

After having (laid at home about fix weeks, and
vifited the meetings of Friends in divers places, to
mine and their fatisfaction, on the 28th of the fixth
month, I proceeded on another voyage for the ifland
of Barbadoes. We left fight of our Capes on the
3 ift of the faid month. The winds were for the moft
part contrary, and, before we got into the trade
wind, we met with two hard gales ; the laft of which
was a kind of a hurricane, in which we could carry
no fail at all, but let the vefTel lie to the mercy of the
feas, or rather to the mercy of him that made the feas,
and all that is therein, and in the earth alfo. In this
florm we loft a fpare top-maft, and divers other uten-
fils belonging to the veflel ; but all our people were
•well and iafe. This voyage we had feveral comfort
able religious meetings on board, in which we were
exhorted to prepare for another and better world,
this being fo very uncertain and momentary, and
full of various exerciies, temptations, and afflic
tions.

I had on board three Wkiftbaven failors, William
tfowerfcn, William ^remble, and William Atkinfon, and
I do not remember that I heard either of them fwear
an oath during the whole voyage, which I thought

worthy

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

worthy to (land on record, becaufe it is fo rare in
feafaring men. About the beginning of the eighth
month, being in the latitude of Barbadoes, the
thoughts of my leaving my family and habitation,
and many of my loving relations, and near and dear
Friends, as at divers other times alfo, made me pen-
five and forrowful ; but it being on a principle of
juflice, and fometimes meeting with the prefence and
goodnefs of God, I was enabled to do my affairs and
bufmefs, and forbore to appear forrowful as much as
pofTibly I could, or be of a fad countenance in the
fight of men ; but to him, who knew all things,
and fees in fecret, I poured out my foul in all my
afflictions, for he only is able to help me. I met with
fome who untruly cenfured me, as covetous of the
things of this world, or to be rich ; and that for the
fake of thefe outward things, I might venture my
life until I might lofe it : really, as to my life, it
hath long been my defire to be ready to refign it, and
is fo dill : and, as to thofe outward things, fo far
as I know, my heart is clear j food and raiment,
and to be clear and even with the world, having
rather to give than receive, is all the grandeur I
defire, and if that be not granted, I hope to be con
tented without it, and to be thankful. I look upon
crowns and fcepters, and all the fine things of this
world, that are of the nature of it, but as trifles,
and diminutive things, in comparifon of a houfe and
kingdom eternal in the heavens. In this voyage, as
ufual, I read in the holy Scriptures, and met with
ilrong confolation therein, efpecially in the New Tef-
tament; I alfo read much in the works of that emi
nent judge and good Chriftian, Matthew ffyfe..

The yth of the eighth month, we arrived at Bar-
dadoes , (laid three weeks and one day, and had divers
religious meetings. I haftened to accomplifh my af
fairs before winter, it coming on, and the time of
the year dangerous for failing on our coafls. On the

R 4

THE J O U R N A L OF

-jotfi of the eighth month we left the ifland of Bar-
baaoes, bound for Philadelphia; and on the i ith of
the ninth month, it pleated God to favour us with a
gracious opportunity to worlhip him; wherein was
declared to the fhip's company, the nature and ad
vantage of good, and the fountain from whence it
flows or fprmgs; as alfo the nature and difadvan-
tage of evil ; the one being or fpringing from God,
i the other proceeding from Satan, or the Devil
who is the root of all evil; and, that man might be
left without excufe, God hath fent the divine and
fupernatural light of his holy Spirit, to Aow to
mortals what is good, and what is evil ; in order
chat they rmght embrace the good, and refufe the
evil.

The 2ift of the ninth month we had a very hard
gale of wind at north- weft, which blew fo hard, that
t put us by from failing, fo that we were oblio-ed to
lay her to the wind ; for, by the violence thereof, we
cou d not carry any fail ; and it was fo dark, that we
uld neither fee liars, nor one another; nor hear
one another without we were very near, the feas
riling very high : indeed the long, ftormy and dark
nights were very difmal ; and fome of our goods aoc
Joofe in the hold. In the beginning of the nislit,
about the feventh hour, Philip Kearney, my appren
tice fell into the fea and was loft, which was a deep
affliction to us in divers conflderations.

The 25th we faw the land, and next day we came
to an anchor ,n Delaware- bay. The lofs of this
lad was a caufe that we were hot fo joyful as is ufual
tor people to be when come to the ihore.

The latter end of the tenth month I went the
third voyage, commander of the Barbadoes-Packet,
from Philadelphia, bound to Barbados: we were
towed ^hiough the ice by two boats from Thomas
Majlers wharf, and in two days got to Reedy-JJland;
from whence we failed down Delaware-bay, where we

lay

THOMAS CHA1.KLEY. 265

lay two nights, the wind being contrary, blowing
hard, the nights being long, the days very fhort, and
weather (harp ; we left our Cafes in the night, it
being dangerous lying in the bay ; and after being
out ieveral days, we had favourable winds, and plea-
fant weather; but when we got into the trade wind,
it blew hard, and moftly againft us, fo that the Bfft
land we faw was the. ifland of Cbrijtopber'*, where we
arrived in 20 days from our Capes; and the market
for provifions being at that time better than at any
other of thofe iflands, and the property of the veflel
moftly belonging to me, and the cargo generally
configned to me, I difpofed of part of it. Here be-
ino- no meeting of our fociety on this ifland, I had
meetings on board the vcflel in the harbour, and di
vers from the fhore, and feveral matters of veffels
came to our meetings, the fnow having large accom
modations for fuch an occafionj and, fo far as I
could underftand, the people were generally fatis-
fied, and fpoke well of our meetings.

Of late times, and alfo in this voyage, meeting
with many lofles and croffes, and much affhftions,
and various exercifes, I was ready to fay in my
heart, Lord, why am I thus afflicled now in my de
clining years, fince thou knows, I love thee above
all things, and that I would not willingly or know
ingly offend thee, my great and dear Lord? It was
anfwered, as though vocally fpoken, My only be
gotten and beloved Son, who never offended me,
Differed much more. This word being fuch an evi
dent truth, I begged patience to go through all my
fufferings and afflictions, fo that at laft I might live
with Chrift in the glorious kingdom of God for ever,
where I might always blefs and praife his holy
name.

Five or fix days after our arrival at this ifland, a
veffel, that came out five or fix days before us, arri
ved, fhe meeting with the fame bpifterous weather

as

266 THE JOURNAL OF

as we did, yet we made our paflage ten or eleven
days fooner. Divers other vefTels, bound to Barba-
does, put in here, through thefe contrary winds ; and
when I faw others in the like circumftances with us,
I was the more thankful for being preferved fafe,
and fo foon to this place ; yet it was a confiderable
lofs and fore trial not to get to Barbadoes, the ifland
I was bound to, and a great difappointment to me,
and many more.

At this ifland a perfon whofe name was '

Galloway, a man of a great eftate, hearing that I kept
meetings on board the vefTel, kindly invited me to
have a meeting at his houfe, and faid he would give
notice of it to divers of the gentlemen, as he called
them, of the ifland, telling me, that I fhould be wel
come to his houfe, which was much more convenient
than the veflel ; but I was not very forward to accept
of my friend Galloway's kind offer, being fenfible of
my own weaknefs and inward poverty, fo that I
made feveral excufes to evade it; but he obviated
them all. ift. 1 afked him, If he could bear the
reproach of having a Quaker's meeting at his houfe ?
he anfwered, Yes, there is good and bad of all focie-
ties. adly. I afked, If his wife would like it, or be
willing that a meeting fhould be in the houfe ? He
faid, flie defired it, and would be very willing,
gdly. I afked, If he thought he could fit in filence ?
He told me, He believed he could. I then told
him, I was obliged to him for his kind and friendly
offer, and, God willing, I intended to come, and tell
my people of the fhip's company to come alfo, and
defired him to give notice of it: the which he did,
and there was a large fatisfadory meeting : oh may
the Almighty fanctify it to fome fouls, is my defire I

He and his wife were both very courteous to me,
and invited many of his rich friends and relations :
his wife's father was a judge in this ifland of good
repute. Divers people, of feveral profefiions, were

at

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 267

at this meeting, and many expreffed their being glad
of it. An attorney at law faid, he was thankful for
the words he had heard that day, and, if I would
flay with them, he would always come to our meet
ings. One judge Mills was at this meeting, and
very kindly invited me to his h ufe. Some meeting
me next day, faid, they were forry they were not
there. The miftrefs of the houfe told divers of the
people, who were perfons of note, That they ftiould
remember what they had heard; and fpoke it with a
religious concern, as it feemed to me. When I
went to this meeting, I was very poor, and in much
fear, fpcaking with a great concern on my mind for
the people's falvation •, and that God, through Chrift,
might be glorified.

After this meeting, it was (as though a voice)
faid unto me, How clod thou know but for this caufe,
and for this meeting thou art brought here to this
ifland, though againft thy will ? The people told
me, that they did not remember that there ever was
a meeting of our Friends before on this ifland. The
meeting had this effect, that the people had a bet
ter opinion of our ibciety than they had before.
The fubject in this meeting was, The excellency of
the gofpel difpenfation above that of the law, in that
it brought us to the law, went through the law, and
was above the law, and far from deflroying the law,
but fulfilled it ; for proof of which, they were re
ferred to Chritt's moil excellent ferinon which he
preached on the Mount, Mat, v.

From the ifland of Cbriftopber's, I propofed, God
willing, for Earbadoes \ the which I apprehended
would be a troublefome voyage, it being about 100
leagues to windward, and a ilrong current againft
us. On the i9th of the 12th month we failed to
wards Barbadoes^ and the wind being a-head, and
blowing hard, we tarried two nights at the ifland
of Lucea> where we took in wood and water. The

people

268 THE JOURNAL OF

people here were moftly French, and were very civil
to us.

The 2ift we put out again to fea; but the wind
and current being againft us, obliged us to go into
the harbour from whence we came, and tarryVor an
opportunity more favourable. While we were in
this harbour, which is a very good one, feveral veflels
came in on the like occafion -, and a veflel that came
from Cbriftopber's about three hours after us, came
here three days fmce we did.

We went out again, in order to proceed to Barba-
does; but, as before, the current was fo ftrong a-
gainft us, and the wind alfo, that we could not get
forward on our way; wherefore we put back again
to Chriftopher's, and, by the way, called at Antigua,
where I had an open, fatisfaftory meeting, for which
I was truly thankful, and fo were fome, not of our fo-
ciety, of whom there were divers, and fome who had
not been at our meetings before.

The next day we arrived again at Chriftopherjsy
andthere unloaded the remainder of our cargo, though
much againft my mind. After having fold the moft
of our cargo at Ba/eterre, we went to Sandy -point, and
there fold the remainder, and took in our loading
for Philadelphia.

In loading our veflel, judge Brown was my very
good friend, and helpful to me therein, for which I
think myfelf much obliged to him.

While we lay here, I had a meeting on board our
veflel, to which came five mailers of veflels. It was
a good meeting, though I fpoke to them in much
mifery and pain, having very angry painful fores on
my legs, occafioned by a fall in getting out of the
boat, thefeas running high, and through the violence
of the waves, I fell acrofs the boat, and broke both
.my fliins very grievoufly.

The jift of the id month, 1734, we had another
meeting on board our veiTel^ to which came feveral

from

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 269

from other veflfels, and fome from the fhore, among
whom was a young baronet, and his hod (a tavern-
keeper) with him, who atfirft behaved airily, but
after fome time, he was more fober, and feemed re-
fpedful at parting.

I was invited to have a meeting next firft-day on
board the (hip King George, a large veffel ; the mailer
told me his cabin was large, and would accommo
date many more than mine; but we did not flay Id
long as till the firft-day.

After this meeting was over, the mailer of the
laro-e (hip came on board, and faid, he was forry he
had not come fooner, fo as to have had the opportu
nity to have been at the meeting.

From Cbriftopber's we fet fail for the lUand ot An-
milla, and had a meeting at the Governor's houfe on
a firft-day. We (laid at Anguilla three days, and
there took on board fome bags of cotton on freight,
and failed from thence the loth of the fecond month.
The Governor of this ifland,whofe name was George
•Leonard, told me, That he fhould live and die in our
principles, faving that he muft defend his people.
But he did not confider, that his defence might de-
ftroy both him and them, and that fuch defence was
diredly contrary to Chrift's doctrine and practice.
A remarkable and difmal paffage he related to me.
That fome days before, a veffel came from the iQand
•of Saltitudas (which went, there to take in fait) the
people going on ihore, the mailer told him, that
there lay at the landing the heads of above twenty
men on one fide the path, and the quarters of them
on the other; which fo furprized them, that they
made the beft of their way to Anguilla, where they
related this difmal ftory, and fuppofed the flain to be
Britons by their appearances, and that they were de-
ftroyed by the Spaniards, who are known to be cruel
to them. This action being far from the ipint of
Chriftianity, is a reproach to the a&ors thereof. ^

THE JOURNAL OF

Not far from Angullla is an ifland they call $t>
's, the inhabitants of which are !)«/<;£: The ne
groes there lately rofe and took the ifland, killed the
people, fpoiled their plantations, and burnt their
houfes. I lodged at the houfe of a perfon, who
went to fubdue thofe negroes, who were too ftrong
for him and his company, and the negroes killed di*
vers of them, and among them, killed this man's two
fons, for which their mother and fitters were in bit
ter mourning when I was at their houfe. The
thoughts of the bloodfhed and vaft deftruction, which
\var makes in the world, caufed me to cry in my
heart, How long, O Lord, thou holy, juft, and true
God, will it be till nation lift up the fword no more
againft nation, nor the people learn war any more.

When I came home from this voyage, which was
the 3Oth of the fecond month, I met with the for-
rowful news of the death of my only fon George, a
beloved, dear youth, who was taken fick the 5th of
the eighth month, 1733, and departed this life at
my houfe in Frankfort, the I3th of the faid month,
about the ninth hour, in the evening of the fixth day
of the week, and was carried to the Bank meeting-
houfe of friends in Philadelphia, and buried from
thence on the firft- day following, being accompanied
by many friends, and others: he was ten years and
feven days old when he died, and as he was much be
loved for the iweetnefs of his nature and difpofition,
fo he was greatly lamented by many who were ac
quainted with him. I have this account to leave
concerning him, not fo much that he was my fon, as
to excite other youths to ferve and fear the Lord, and
to love him above all ; and that they might remem
ber their Creator in their youthful days, that it might
be well with them in this world, and when time here
to them (hall be no more.

* He was a lad much inclined to read the holy
* fcriptures, and other good books, efpecially religi-

c ous

THOMAS CHALKLEY. a;i

* ous ones ; and was always obliging, obedient, and
c loving to his parents, and ready and willing to do
' any fervice he could do to his friends : any little
c fervices in his power he chearfully performed, and
c took delight in : he was very diligent, and ready to
c go to religious meetings, and an entire lover of re-
c ligious people. In his ficknefs he behaved him-
c felf more like a wife man, than a youth of that age,

* bearing his pain and ficknefs with a great deal of
c patience. I being in another part of the world,

* he would gladly have feen me, but faid, he fhould
' never fee me any more, and therefore defired his

* mother to remember his dear love to his father,
c and tell him, that he was gone to his heavenly Fa-

* ther. He was very fervent in prayer in the time
c of his ficknefs, and prayed that God would preferve
« his people all the world over. One time, when in
c great mifery and pain, he prayed to Chrift, faying,
c Sweet Jefus! blefled Jefus! give me patience to

* bear my mifery and pain, for my mifery is greater
f than I can well bear ! O come, fweet Jefus, why

* art thou fo long a coming? 1 had rather be with
c thee than in the fineft place in all the world. Many
< religious expreflions he fpoke on his dying bed,
c greatly to the fatisfadion and melting of his
c friends and relations who came to fee him in his
c illnefs. One day, he faid, my mifery and pain is
« very great, but what would it be if the wrath of

* God was in my foul? He believing in the love of

* God in Chrift, made him defirous of being with
c hirrij and feeing the joy that was fet before him,
c thought the time long to be with Jefus, as know-
c ing that then he would be out of all mifery and
€ pain. His heart was full of love to his relations,
c acquaintance, and friends, who came to fee him
c in his illnefs; and full of tender fweetnefs and di-

* vine love, he took his lafl leave of them, which
c greatly affeded many. This was one of the moft

c pinching

372 THE JOURNAL OF

< pinching exercifes I ever met with in all my days;
c but as he faid in his illnefs, fo I now wriie. The
c wifdom of the Lord is wonderful ! One time in this

* dear child's ficknefs, he faid, Oh! the good hand
« of Thee the Lord help me, give me eafe, and con-
« duel: me fafe (i.e.} to God's kingdom, uttering

* this verfe^

* Sweet Jefus, give me eafe, for mercy I do crave;

c And if thou'lt give me eafe, then mercy I (hall
* have.'

Although this was a great and fore exercife, and
deep affliction to me, in lofing this promifing
youth, and my only fon ; yet, confidering that he
went off the itage of life like a folid good Chriftian,
it was made tolerably eafy to me; for he departed
this life in much brightnefs and fweetnefs, and more
like an old Chriftian, than a youth of ten years of

age.

It was ufual for me to advife his mother not to
fet her affections too much upon him, thinking he
was too good to live long in this world, and too
ripe for heaven, to flay long here on earth, or in this
•world of forrow and mifery. This dear and tender
youth, when reading (to which he was much in
clined) if he met with any things that affected him,
either in the facred writings, or other good au
thors, he would write it down, and get it by heart.
He was, more than common, affectionately concern
ed for his mother, doing whatever he could freely
and chearfully to ferve her, and told her not to do
divers things which he thought too much for her,
faying, Mother, let me do it; if I were a man thou
fhould not do any thing at all, (meaning as to la
bour) my dear wife being very induftrious, and apt
to overdo herfelf at times : and fhe being affected
with his filial love and care for and towards her in his

father's

THOMAS CHALK-LEY. 273

father's abfence, it caufed her fometimes to turn
about and weep, in confideration of his great care
for and love to her. I thought a little memorandum
of the life and death of this religious lad was worthy
recording, in order to ftir up other youths to obe
dience and love to their parents, who begat them,
and carefully and tenderly nourifhed and brought
them up; and alfo to love and obey God, from whom
they have their life, breath, and being, and to believe
in Chrift, who died for them ; who is the glorious
light cf all the nations of them that are laved, and
walk therein, according to facred writ.

As noted above, he got feveral pieces by heart
out of the bible, and other religious writings, firit
writing them with his pen. Two friort ones I may
recite, of which nature were divers others, which,
peradventure may be edifying to fome, who may
caft their eye thereon.

One place, which much affected my mind, that
he wrote down, and got by heart, was the I5tii
verfe of the 57 th chapter of that evangelical pro
phet Ifaiah: cc For thus faith the high and lofty
" One, that inhabiteth eternity, whofe name is holy,
cc I dwell in the high and holy place; with him
" alfo that is of a contrite and humble fpirir, to
<c revive the fpirit of the humble, and to revive the
<c hearts of the contrite ones."

Another little piece was five verfes, which among
others he wrote, and got by heart, viz.

As one day goes another comes,
And fometimes fhews us difmal dooms >
As time rowls on, new things we fee,
Which feldom to us do agree:
Though now and then's a pleafant day,
"Tis long a coming, foon away:
Wherefore, the everlafting truth
Is good for aged and for youth,

S For

£74 THE JOURNAL OF

For them to fat their hearts upon.
For that will lad till time is done.

I have now but one only daughter, Rebecca, left
me ovit of twelve children, (except my wife's fon and
daughter.)

After this long and tedious voyage, which ended
in the fecond month, I flayed but a few weeks at
home, and loaded with wheat and flour for 'Dublin,
in Ireland; had Alice Alder/on, my kinfwoman, and
Margaret Coupland, paiTengers. We had a very com
fortable, pleafant paflage, fair winds and \veather,
and good religious meetings. I think it was the
mod pleafant time that ever I croiled thefeas; about
Nar.tucket we faw feveral floops a whaling, and fpoke
with one, by which opportunity we enquired of the
welfare cf our Friends on that ifland, and fent our
loves to them. Not many miles from the floops we
faw a flioal of whales : I counted eight in a row lying
fide by fide in the water.

We were four weeks and fix days from our capes
to Cape Clear in Ireland', coming near the land we
met with falling-boats, and got plenty of choice frefli
fifh: in the evening we got into Kinfale, took in a
pilot for Dublin, and failed next day from Kin f ale y
and was out one night at lea-, got next day to Dub
lin-Bay, where we went afliore, and were kindly en
tertained by our Friends. We were at divers large
meetings in that great city, which fome of us, while
we live, at times 1 believe fhall remember. My
Hay in Ireland? was about feven weeks, in which time
I vifited feveral meetings in the country, and at
Edenderry, the Mo ate of Gresnough, Carlow, Batlytore>
&c.

We fet fail from Dublin with a fair wind, in com
pany with the ihip Neptune, and our Friends lent
many prayers and good wilhes after us. We were
about forty perfons, failors, paffengers, and fervants,

on

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 275

on board, and had a good paffage, all things con
fide red.

We had divers religious meetings on board, and
were on our pafifage, from the fight of Ireland, to the
fioht of our land, rive weeks and fix days : it was the
quicken: voyage I ever made to Europe and back
again to Philadelphia.

When I came home, finding all well, I was thank
ful to God, in the name of Chrift, for all his mercies,
and the many prefervations wherewithal he had fa
voured me.

After being a little at home, and at feveral meet
ings, and not being clear of the world, in order to
it I undertook another voyage to Barbadoes, and from
thence intending for London^ in order to fettle my af
fairs there, which I intended fome years btfoie, but
loffes and difappointments hindered me. Wherefore,
the yth of the tenth month, I proceeded on a fifth
voyage in the Barhadoes-packety and. left Philadelphia,
and was at a meeting the next day at Cbefter (being
firft-day) and in the evening we had a large meeting
at Grace Lloyd's, where I met with my dear Friend
Jofeph Gill) who had good fervice in the laid meet
ing: we rejoiced in Chrift to fee each other. We
left Cbefter the 9th, and got that tide clown the river
to Newcaftle, and, after vifiting thofe few friends
there, we let fail the \ 2th in the morning; the wind
being high and the weather very (harp, freezing
hard-, our fails were fo froze, that we had hard work
to get the veflel under fail. The i^th day weighed
anchor, and failed down the bay, and the i4th we
were clear of the Capes. The firfl-day following
we had a good, feafonable meeting, for the worfhip
and fervice of God, and, in the (aid meeting, as I
was treating of difobedience to parents, and ciilbbe-
dience to Almighty God our great Parent and hea
venly Father, a youth, who was a pailenger in the
VeiTeX went out haftily and- abruptly, as I was fbew-

S 2 ing

276 THE JOURNAL of

ing the ungratefulnefs of the firft, much more of ths
la ft. When I afked the reafon of his going out, he
laid, It was becaule he could not forbear crying 5
and thinking I ipoke fo becaufe of him, he faid, he
could not hear me any more. Afterwards I under-
Itood that he was a youth who was very ungrateful
and difobedient to his parents; the which I knew
not of, for his mother told me, and himfelf alfo, that
he went to fea on account of his health: I thought
his going out fo haftily was occafioned by fome in-
difpofition of body -, but it was, as he gave us to un-
derfland, through relenting what was fpoken, and
by his taking of it to himfelf.^ I have in like manner
ibmetimes obferved, that divers people have fhewn
.a reftleffhefs and uneafmefs in public afiemblies of
worfhipand devotion, and fometimes going out, &c.
fo that they have thereby expofed themfelves to the
notice of the people, as perfons guilty of the matter
publicly reprehended, or fpoken againft; juft as
though they were the only perfons in the aiTem-
bly, who were guilty of the evil then taken no
tice of. Such public reltlelfnefs is a great folly and
\veaknefs, beficles fo openly and publicly expofing
themfelves.

After we left our Cafes, we had divers hard gales
of wind, which lafted feveral days. The 28th being
a firft-day, we had a meeting for divine worfhip, in
•which God was praifed, and his holy name exalted,
for his unfpeakable grace in fending his only begot
ten Son, a divine light to enlighten the inhabitants
of the world, After which we had ftormy weather
and contrary winds for fome weeks, fo that our paf-
iage was tedious-, and of 15 times going to Barba-
doeSt 1 found this the moft difficult ; and the pro-
ipecl was very difcouraging of making a loling voy
age, by the great expence I expected for repairing
and refitting the veffel, &c. fo that I began to de-
fpair of accomplilhirig my defign of difcharging my

debts

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 277

debts in Great-Britain, and the thoughts and confi-
deration of lofing fo much of the company and con-
verfation of my wife, relations, and friends, and
fpending To much precious time, which cannot be
recalled, to fo little purpofe, lay heavy on my mind ;
yet by the grace of God, my mind was fupported,
and my refolutions confirmed to praife the Almighty
for every difpchfation of his Providence.

The 2jd of the eleventh month, we faw the ifland
of BarbadoeS) at the breaking of the day, having been
from the Capes of Delaware forty days and one night ;
and was truly thankful, that at la ft, we, through di
vine favour, got well to our defired port, where we
were lovingly received by our Friends at Speight's-
Town, who were joyful at our arrival. From thence
I went to Bridge-Town, and fo on to the governor's,
in order to enter our vefTcl ; but, (laying a little too
late, the governor, who was the Lord Howe, was
come from his houfe on his way to Bridge-Town,
with his coach and fix, and his attendants ; but he,
feeing me, courteotifly flopped his coach, and did my
bufinefs as he fat therein ; and though I made an ef-
fay towards an excufe, he would not admit of it,
faying, There was no need of any excufe. He was
indeed an extraordinary courteous man : he died foon
after, much lamented, as he was much beloved.

My flay at Barbadoes this time was the longed I
ever flaid, believing it to be the Jafl time I fhouki
go there, and that I Ihould fee them no more. My
fo faying troubled fome of them ; but growing in
years, being then turned of threescore, I thought k
would be too hard for me to undertake fuch another
voyage ; therefore I was at all the meetings of our
Friends on the ifland.

Here I met with Mofes dldridge, a Friend from
New-England, who came on a religious vilit to Friends
of this iiiand, with whom he had divers good meet
ings, his fervice in preaching the gofpel being edify-

S 3 ing

278 THE JOURNAL OF

ing and acceptable ; we were together at the marriage
of Andrew Drury and Mary Lewis, after which meet
ing and marriage, I was ill of a fever feveral days,
which diftemper was very much among the people,
of which near twenty matters of veflels, and fome
hundreds of people died 5 and though I had been at
Sflrbadees many times, I never had fo much illnefs
there before ; Mofes Aldridge, and feveral Friends of
us, had a large meeting at John Gibfon's, where were
many people, not of our perfuafion, who generally
werefoberj but as I was recommending charity to
the people, according to the doctrine of the apoftie
Paul, as the mod excellent gift, I advifed them to
Ihew it forth to all people of all profeffions, and al-
io to their negroes, telling them, that fome of the
gentry of this ifland had obferved to me, that the
more kind they were to their flaves, they had their
bufmefs the better done for it : though I obferved
alfo, that I had been at fome places, where I had
watched to hear fome cxpreffions that mi^ht look
like chanty -, but in divers houfes, and fome of note,
I could not hear any Chriftian-like expreffions to
laves or negroes, and that with forrow I had
feen a great deal of tyranny and cruelty, the which I
difluaoed them from: this doctrine fo exafperated
fome that were there, that they made a diflurbance
in the meeting; one of which perfons meeting me
-ing's high-way, (hot off his fowling-piece
at me, being loaded with fmall (hot, ten of which
made marks on me, and feveral drew blood ; by
which unfriendly adion, the man got a great deal of
difgrace, it being highly refented by all who were
acquainted with me ; the prefident of the ifland
looked on^it as a very bale action, as did alfo divers
of the juitices and the gentry, alfo the veflrv, and
feveral clergymen and lawyers 5 one of the lawyers
toid me, I fliould not be juft to the country, myfelf,
nor tne man, if I did not profecute him ; another,

profefiing

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 279

profeffing the law, faid, He ought to be abandoned
by all mankind, if he fhot at me with defign •, many
were for profecuting him, for the people generally
took notice of it with abhorrence ; but he fending
for me, and fignifying, he would not do fo again, I
forgave him ; and I pray it may not be laid to his
charge in the great day, and that he may be for
given, he being ignorant of the love I had and have
for him and all men, even them whom I know to be
mine enemies. It would be too great a fcandal and
reproach, to expoie his name and itation in the
world. Some thought I did well in forgiving him,
and fome thought I did ill in it ; but 1 fppke my
mind to him alone freely, in which I had fatisfadion
and peace. .

Intending rny veflel for London, I made my chiei
mate, Ralph Loftus, mailer of her, not knowing whe
ther 1 might proceed the voyage, it being a very
fickly time; afterwards my mate had the diftemper
alio, but I blefs God we both recovered a good ftate
of health.

It was this voyage that my friends in B-attradws
published a little piece I wrote at fea, which I called,
Free Thoughts communicated to Free Thinkers, done in
order to promote thinking on the name and works
of God ; which had, as far as I underftand, a good
acceptance among the people ; the principal clergy
man on the ifland, thanked me for it, and faid There
was need enough of it : but I could be glad another,
or a better hand, had done ibmething of that nature,
and more large. If this may be of any fervice, I
lhali be thankful.

I had alib a meeting at John Lewis's, in Jcfepb's

pariih, at which were divers not of our profeflion,

' and fome who were never at any of our religious

meetings before-, who faid they were glad they were

there that day, it being a fatisfactory, open meet-

S 4 After

THE JOURNAL o*

After I had vifited my friends, and fettled my af
fairs as well as 1 could, arid loaded our veflel with fu-
gars, for London^ being willing, once more, to fee my
native land, and to fettle my affairs there, and fee
my relations and friends; on the 6rh of the third
month we fet fail from Barbados to London, and had
pleafanc weather. The i6th, being the firft-day of
the week, we had a religious meeting for the worfhip
of God, in which I was concerned to fpeak on the
government of the tongue, having on board feveral
hands, which did not fail with us before that voyage,
that were much ufed to fwearing. After that meet-
ing, we had not fo many bad words and oaths as be
fore. I was thankful in my foul to the Lord, and
bleffed his holy name, for his goodnefs to us that
day ; and, in the night, rny deep was very fweet and
comfortable, being fenllble of the love of God in
the vifions of the night; fo that I witnerTed the ful
filling of the prophecy of *>'oel> chap. ii. 28.

The 2jd, being the firft-day of the week, we had
a meeting, in which the grace of God, that comes by"
Jefus Chrift, was magnified, and a bleffing begged
for all who love and ftrve God, throughout "the
world, by fea and land ; alfo a tender petition was
put up to Almighty God, that, as he was gracioufly
pleaftd to look down on thofe eight perfons in Noah's,
ark, fo he would pleafe to look upon us in our vef-
fel; and that, as, by his divine Providence, they
fafely landed on the earth, fo we, if it were his will,
might fafely land at our defired port ; yet not that
our wills, but his will might be done : which fup-
plication was put up with great fubmiffion. Both
clay and night I often fought the Lord, and was much
alone in this voyage. I read the Old and New
Teftament almoft through, and much of it divers
times over ; my time being moftly taken up in read
ing, writing, and meditating, in which at times, my
heart would be broken into tendernefs j and I was

humbly

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 281

humbly thankful to God, that my heart was not
hard, he having promifed to vifit the contrite ones ;
the which he fometimes fulfilled, to my unfpeakable
fatisfaction : glory to his holy name for ever. My
heart was alfo thankful, that God was pleafed to vi
fit me in my watery travels and troubles, and in my
reparation from my family and friends, which are
much nearer, and more valuable to me, than all
riches, and a great crofs to my natural inclination to
part with.

The 8th of the fourth month, being the firft-day
of the week, we had a meeting, in which acquaint
ance with God was exhorted to, Ihewing the benefit
of it, and of loving him above all things, and de
lighting in his law, and meditating therein day and
night. The igth, in the morning, a ftrong norther-
ly°wind came up, and blew fo hard, that we could
not carry fail, but lay to the wind, under our mizen,
•which was fplit or torn with the violence of the wind,
and the fea rofe high, fo that it came into the win
dows of our great cabin : it was very rugged for the
time, and, though it was midfummer, it was fo
cold, that we were obliged to clothe ourfelves, as in
winter. The 22d, b?i.ng firft-day, we had a com
fortable meeting after the florin, wherein the great
benefit of true religion was a little opened to our
fmall company, and the Lord, moft High, was
praifed for our deliverance and prefervation. The
a6th we founded, and found about feventy fathom
depth of water. The 29th, we were a-breaft of the
JJle of Wight. From the time we left the ifland of
Barbadoe$) to the time we found ground, was feven
weeks. Thus, through many perils and dangers,
we came to Great-Britain ; for all which mercies and
providences, let my foul blefs and praife the holy
name and mighty power of the moil High. It was
now a time of very great prefling for feamen, and fe-
veral men of wars boats came on board to prefs our

failors $

282 THE J O U R N A L OF

failors ; but they had prepared a place in the veffel
to hide themfelves, and the men of wars people could
not find them : one lieutenant, with his men, came
on board, and feeing us weakly handed, the bed of
our hands being hid, he afked me, if I had any more
hands on board j I made him very little anfwer; he
then faid, He was fure I could not bring the fhip
from Barbadoes without hands : I told him, failors
were hard to be got in Barbadoes, either for love or
money, to go for London, for fear of being prefTed,
and I was obliged to take any I could get : he faid,
It was in vain to talk much, but if I would fay, I
had no more hands on board, he would be fatisfkd;
he having a belief that I would fpeak the truth,
though he never faw me before ; and he laid, if I
would fay, there were no more men on board, he
would go away, for then he had no more bufinefs
there : but I made him no anfwer, not daring to tell
a lie : now I know that there is men on board, faid
he •, fo he commanded his men to fearch the fhip to
her keel j fo they ftripped, and made a narrow fearch,
and fweated and fretted, but could not find them.
He being civil, I made him, when he went away, a
fmall prefent, he wifhed me well j and fo I carried
my people fafe up to London.

In the beginning of the fifth month, I came to
London, and lodged at the houfe of Simeon Warner >
in Scuthwark, and at divers kind friends and relations
in and about London ; the tender and brotherly re-
fpect which I received from divers, in fome of thofe
families, in my ficknefs, will not, I believe, ever be
forgotten while I am in this world, at times, by me j
and, I hope, that He, whom I fervp-with my might
and flrength, will be their rewara. When in the
country about London, my refidence was moitly at
Edmonton, at my dear brother George Cbalklefs, who
with my fifter and coufms, were a comfort to rne,
both in health and ficknefs 5 for I was often in Lon
don

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 283

Jen forely afflifted with the phthyfick and afthma
which fometimes made me very uneafy ; and, tnougli
my affairs required me to be often at the city, yet 1
was obliged to return into the country for air, and,
both in health and ficknefs, was kindly ana very af-
fedionately received and tended by my dear brotner
fifter, and all my loving coufins ; the memory thereo
is cordial to me in penning thefe lines : it may
truly faid, we were very joyful in meeting one ano
ther, and our forrow in parting not eaiy to be ex-

London I fold my velfel the Barbadoes -Packet*
and fettled all my affairs to general fatisfaftion, fo
far as I know, on which account 1 had iaboure
feveral years, and was joyful that Providence had
favoured me fo far as to fee it accomphfned • io that
I now wholly intended to leave trading by lea, the
which I never inclined to, only on a principle ot
iiiftice i for I was fully refolved in my mind, that my
creditors fliould be paid their juft debts, though I
might lofe my life in the purfuit of it, about which I
had no anxious guilt, becaufe I never was extravagant
nor indolent, but met with divers caiualties by fire
and water; by the latter 1 loft many hundreds c
pounds for feveral years together 5 and I would pcr-
fuade all in their undertaking tor a livelihood in this
world, to be fure to have an eye to divine Provi
dence, who will not fairer us (if we do well) nor fo
much as a fparrow to fall to the ground, without he
think it beft for us, he knowing what is for our good
better than we know ourfelves. Thus when 1 had
paid my debts, and in a good degree fettled my af
fairs, I vifited fevtral of my relations, as at Kttgf-
worth, Stains, Guildford, &c. had a meeting at Mar
ket-Street, and one at Guildford, another at Stains, and
one zt Longford ; in ail which I had forne fervice,
and my relations were joyful to fee me once more
having never expected to fee me again j and when I

had

*84 THE JOURNAL OF

had vifited meetings in and about London^ I went
towards the north, in order to vifit fome places
where I had never been, and fome that I had been
at. The number of meetings, and the names of the
places where 1 had meetings, while I was this time
in England, are as follow. While I was in and about
London, I was at eighteen^ meetings in that great
city, at two of which, I was" with May Dnimmond, a
virtuous young woman, who had a good gift in the
miniftry, and had a gracious opportunity of declar
ing her convincement to our noble queen Carolina^
our great king George's royal confort. The kind
treatment, and good reception, Ihe had with the
queen, fpread fo in the city and country, that many
thoulands flocked to hear her, and more of the gen
try and nobility, than ever was known before, to our
meetings. I had fome private converfation with
her, which put me in mind of the apoftle's exhorta
tion, where he advifeth the primitive Chriftians, that
their words be few and favoury, and that they fhould
be feafoned with grace, for this great reafon, that
they might adminifter grace to the hearers; and
truly I thought there was the influence of grace in
her conduct and converfation, whom I pray God to
preferve in Chrift to the end.

^ I had a meeting at the houfe of my brother, with
his fcholars at Edmonton, and alfo with his family and
divers of "our relations, which fome of us may have
occafion to remember. We had feven meetings at
Tottenham) at fundry times, and four at Hartford; I
travelled to Hitcting,{rom thence toBaUock, and then
to Stadtfold, and AJbwett. The ;th of the eighth
month, being the third-day of the week, to Roy ft on ^
fourth to Ives, fifth to Huntington, fixth to Ramjey.
Firft-day, being the idth of the month, we had a
meeting at a fmall town named Finding, and the fame
day, in the evening, had a large meeting at Wellin-
borough, in Northampton/hire. The i4th, being third-
day

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 285

day of the week, we had a meeting at Northampton,
fourth-day at Bray brook, fifth-day at Okeham, the
county town of Rutland, fixth-day at Long-Clackfen *
and firft-day, being the ipth of the month, I was at a
large and open meeting at Nottingham* where were
many people, not of our fociety, who were very io-
ber; third-day had a meeting at Fairnsfeld^ fourth-
day at Mansfield^ fifth at Cbefterfield, in Derbyshire i
from whence we went over the moors and moun
tains, Benjamin Bangs, the younger, accompanying
me, who came on purpofe from Stockport) to be my
companion and guide thither : his company was both
pleaiant and profitable to me in that hill country,
through which we travelled to Stockporty where we
had three meetings, and where I met with my dear
worthy old friend, Benjamin Bangs ; when we met,
we embraced each other in arms of Chriftian love,
having not feen one another for many years, with
•whom I ftaid four days. This worthy Friend,
though upwards of fourfcore years of age, went with
me to Mancbefter^ where we had two meetings, and
then I went back with him to his houfe. He was a
man of extraordinary character, and well beloved,,
he being a pillar in the church of Chrift.

When at Manchefter, I went to vifit a Friend newly
cut for the ftone, who had a flone taken out of him,
the meafure of which I faw, and had the ftone in my
hand; it was nine inches about, and three inches
over. Before I went out of thofe parts, he was well
enough to ride home, which was near an hundred
miles ; he was chearful as well as thankful.

From Stockport I went to Macclesfidd, to Jofepb
's, where I met with Jojhua Toft, and his bro
ther, two choice minifters of Jefus Chrift, of whofe
company I was glad, though at that time I was very
low and poor in my fpirit. We had two meetings
here; on the ad of the ninth month, being firft-day,
J was at a large meeting ttMorIey> and, in thecven-

236 T H E JOURNAL OF

ing, at the meeting at John Leigh's -, at both which
meetings there were many people, not of our fociety,
who were very ftiil, and fome were broken into ten-
dernefs. From Morley I went to Penketh, where we
had a large, folid meeting, and had an evening-
meeting at JVarrington, where I met with many
brethren and fitters, who fincerely Jove our Lord
Jefus Chrift, with whom I was refrefhed, particular
ly ^Gilbert Tbompjon's, and Lawrence Galen's. From
Harrington I went to Langtree, Prefton, and Clifton,
where 1 had meetings, and fo v/ent on to Lancafter.
I went to Wray, in order to vifit my old fhipmate,
Elizabeth Rawlinfon9vfhofefon, HuttonRawlinfon, went
with me. When I came to Wray, they defired me
to have a meeting with them \ and though there was
little notice, yet we had a large meeting, divers
neighbours coming in, and Chrift was preached to
them freely ; this was the loth, in the evening, and
fecond-day of the week. Third-day I went to Ken-
dal^ and, in the evening, with very little notice, we
met with feveral hundreds of people, Friends and
others 5 it was a furprize to me, I expefting but a
few, becaufe of the fhortnefs of time; but I acknow
ledge it was a pleafant furprize, to fee the willing-
nefs and readinefs of the people to hear the gofpel
preached. Friends here are a great people, and well
beloved and efteemed by their neighbours, and live
in much love and unity. The fourth-day many
Friends came to fee me from divers parts, I givino-
them fome notice that I defigned no farther north
ward, and haftening to get ready to go to America
betimes in the fpring, having been from home near
two years -, wherefore divers of my friends, fome of
whom who had been at fea with me, met me here.
We rejoiced to fee one another, and, after a l<frge
and good meeting, we took a folemn farewell,
divers of us never expedling to fee each other any
more.

In

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 287

In this journey and travel I endeavoured to be, as
much as I well could, at fuch meetings as i had never
been at before, and becaufe I was ftiort in this vifit to
my Friends, fome were not fo well pleafed •, but my
call was mod to the American fhore, where I thought
my fervice moftly lay, and in order to return I fet my
face towards London, awd expefted to meet with my
friend and brother in Chrift, Ifaac Pickerell, in Cbe-
(hire, who defigned to accompany me towards the
fouth -, wherefore I went from Kendal to Lancafter>m&
was at Penketb on a firft-day, being the i6th of the
ninth month, which meeting was large and lohd;
after this meeting we went to Sutton, where
with Ifaac Pickerell; alfo with our ancient Friend,
James Dickinfon,*nd Cbriftopber IVilJon, a choice young
man, his fellow-labourer. We had meetings at But
ton, New-Town, Chejler, and Shrew/bury : James Dtck-
infon was about four-fcore years of age, and yet held
out in travels to admiration, and was lively in preach
ing the gofpel ; he is a worthy elder, of whofe com
pany I was joyful •, at Shrewsbury we parted, and Ifaac
and I went to Colebrook, where, on a Brit-day, we had
a folid, good meeting ; from thence we went to Stur-
bridve, and after having a meeting there, we had ano
ther* at Broomfgrove, and fo went on to Worcefler^
where we had divers large and folemn meetings ; we
lodged at JobnCorbyn's, who was very kind to us, as
alfo were his hopeful children, and in great love and
unity we both met and parted. From Worceftej we
went to Eve/bam* where we had two meetings, and
from thence to Oddington, and had a large evening-
meeting 5 the people, who were moftly of other lo-
cieties, were very fober, and gave good attention;
this was the fourth-day of the week -, fifth-day we
had a meeting at Cbalbury, and a tender time with a
Friend very weak at Wallingford^ who expreffed his
fatisfaction and thankfulnefs for the vifit ; his child
ren were very tenderly affcded alfo. The good

Lord,

THE JOURNAL OF

Lord, the great Phyfician of value, was with us, and
his balfamick grace was at that time Hied abroad in
our hearts. From falling ford we went to Reading,
where my good companion and fellow-traveller IJaac
Pickerell dwelt ; we were lovingly received by our
Friends; I (laid here and reded feveral days, and
had feveral fatisfactory meetings with Friends, they
being a large people, living much in love and good
will ; here Samuel Thornton, of Edmonton, rny kinf-
man, and Ifaac Brown, my wife's fon, came to fee me
from London. From Reading, Ifaac Pickerell accom
panied me to Maidenhead, and to Jordan's, at both
which places we had meetings. The houfe and
burying-ground at Jordan's, are kept in the neateft
order I ever faw, in which ground lies the bones of
divers worthy Friends, Ifaac Pennington, William
Penn, Thomas Ellwood, George Bowles, and their
wives, as I remember; this meeting is often, if not
moftly, kept in filence, yet feveral have been con
vinced there through the grace of God, and the power
of the Holy Ghoft, which Chrift faid he would fend
to the true believers, and that fhould abide with the
church for ever ; here my beloved Friend Ifaac and I
parted in much love, having good defires for each
other's welfare, From Jordan's I went with my
kinfman to my brother's at Edmonton, where I (laid
and refted a few days from travelling.

Then a concern came upon me to vifit Friends
meetings in the county ofEffex, and I went from my
brother's to Hertford, and had feveral meetings there ;
and one I had alio at Ware, which was very large ; af
ter which I went to Hertford again, I having divers
relations there ; from thence I went to Btfhopftaffordt
\vhere I had a meeting, and fo on to Stebbirig, where
I had a large meeting ; and had a meeting at Brain-
tree, Cogge/hall, and a large meeting on a firlt-day at
Halftead, and there was abundance of people at Cone,
at an evening-meeting we had there, where I met

with

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

with our worthy Friend Jojhua Toft, and his fellow-
traveller, Jofepb Hob/en, we rejoicing to fee each
other. From Cone, I went to Cockfield^ which was a
very fmall meeting; from thence I went to Colcheftery
where I ftaid feveral days, and went to feveral meet
ings, as at Rockftead and Manningtree, and then back
again to Cokhefter, where, on the firft-day, I had a
large meeting in the afternoon, and after meeting,
clivers of the Friends came to fee me, and were for
appointing meetings for rne to be at, in the enfuing
week, and defired to know my mind therein ; after a
little paufe I told them, I found a full flop in my
mind from going to any more meetings at prefent,
and that I would wait fome days with them in the
city, till I faw further. While we were fitting toge
ther, a letter came to me from London^ that a Friend,
Stephen Payton, had fet up my name on the Exchange
in London, as matter of the Barbadces-Packet, which
was the veiTel bought of me by John Ager, who fold
her to the laid Stephen Pay ton, who intended her fat
Philadelphia, and next morning a meffenger was fent
for me from London. Thus having fuch a favourable
opportunity of returning home, I embraced it, and
went on fecond-day to With am* where I again met:
with Jojhua Toft, and Jojhua Hobfon, at a meeting;
from thence we went to Plaiflow, where we had a
meeting, and then went to Bromley, near Bow, and
was at Jojeph Olive's, had a meeting with his people
and fervants, which were many ; feveral fcores of
people belonging to his family; I thought it was a
good meeting, a divine Hand of love was reached
out to the young people, and they were advifed to
give up their hearts to their Creator in their youth
ful days ; after this meeting I went to London, and
prepared for the voyage. When our velTcl was load
ed, which was chiefly by IJrael Pemberton the young
er, who went with us, as did our owner, Stephen Pay-
iQri) and JJaac Brown, and four of my kinsfolks, whofc

T names

THE JOURNAL OF

names are Freeman, with divers other paffengers. In
the latter end of the twelfth month, my brother, and
his eldefh daughter, Rebecca, with her hufband, Samuel
Thornton, accompanied me to Grave/end, where our
parting with them was, as at Edmonton, very folemn
and ibrrowful, we never expe6ting to fee one another
more. From Gravefend we failed the third of the
firfl month to the Downs, and from thence down the
Britijh channel to the fea, and was at fea above nine
weeks, which we thought long, having many con
trary winds ; but, after we came on fhore, we un-
derltood, that there were divers veffels that were
3nuch longer. At fea we had divers meetings,
which were fome of them to my fatisfa6lion. I came
very unwell on board, but, when at fea, I mended;
for which favour I am truly thankful. We landed
all well and in health at Philadelphia, in the third
month, 1736, where we were received with joy by
our relations, friends, and acquaintance ; it was much
more fo, becaufe they had heard I was like to die,
having, at London, had a fore fit of the afthma or
phthylick, three perfons fitting up with me for three
nights, who, 1 thought, would fee my end, but the
time was not yet come that I muft die, though indeed
death was no terror to me, hoping my change would
be much for the better, for then I hoped I fhould be
for ever with him whom I love better than life.

After I had been at home fome time, I went to
Salem, and from thence to Cobanfey, and, in my re
turn, was at V/oodberry- Creek, and had meetings at
each place : and, foon after, I vifited the meetings
of Friends at Briftol, Burlington, Trenton, and Borden's-
Toivn, and, in my return home, at Middle-Town ; by
the way, calling to fee my ancient Friend, Jofcfb
Kirkbride, and the widow Warder-, fhe was ninety-
two years of age, and perfect in her underitanding;
fhe faidj She did not know for what end the Al
mighty

THOMAS CHALK LEY. 291

mighty fhould prolong her days to that age -, but
fhe was fatisfied in his will.

In the fifth month, I vifited the meetings of
Friends at Haddonfield> in Weft-Jerfey, and at Newton*
Hartford^ German-^ own, Abington, North-Wales, and
Plymouth, and was divers times at Philadelphia and
Frankfort.

After many exercifes and large travels by fea
and land, my brethren, and divers others, not of
our fociety, exprefTed their gladnefs to fee me, re
joicing that I was like to fpend my time more on the
land, hoping that I would go no more to fea; the
which (God willing) I determined, having fo fettled
my affairs, that I could flay on fhore -, and am truly
and humbly thankful to the Almighty, that He, by
His good hand of Providence, in His due time, had
favoured and helped me fo to do.

In the fixth and feventh months, I again vifited
the meetings of Friends at Briftol, Burlington, Byberry,
Abington, Horjham, German-*? own. Fair hi II , and divers
times at Frankfort and Philadelphia.

In the eighth month, I went to Cohanfey and Sa
lem, and was at two meetings at Cohanfey, and one at
Allow ay's- Creek, where I met with Edward 'Tyler, a
Friend on a religious vifit from Europe, and John
Sykes, a Friend living near Crojwicks, in the Jerjeysy
here we had an open, fatisfaclory meeting : from
whence I went to Salem, it being their week-day meet
ing, which was large, and to the edification of many.
I was alfo at Piles-Grove on fifth-day, and at Wood-
berry-Creek fixth-day $ in which laft meeting the
obedient fon was encouraged, and the difobedient
earneftly called home to his heavenly Father's houfe*
In this journey I had John Bringhurft, the younger,
for my fellow-traveller ; his father being unwilling
that I fhould go the journey alone.

After I had been at home fome time, I, with
fome others, went to the yearly-meeting at Shrewf-

T 2 bury,

292 THE JOURNAL OF

bury, in Eaft-Jerfey, which was on the 136. of the
eighth month : it was exceeding large, and the
quieted and moil fettled meeting that ever I was at
there ; and many divine truths were delivered there
in. From thence 1 went to Manefquan, and had a
meeting, and then back to Shrew/bury-^ and fo to
Middle "Town, where we had a meeting in the Baptiji
meeting-houfe, divers of whom were there, and glad
of the meeting; thence came back to Sbwwfbury,
and had a meeting on the firft-day, being the 3oth
of the month : from whence, on my return home,
had meetings at Mofes Robin's, Allen* s-^ own, at Crof-
•wicks (where I met with clivers of my old Friends)
Burden-Town^ and Mansfield, fome of which were
large, open and fatisfactory meetings. After the lad
meeting, we went to Burlington, and next day came
home, accompanied by Richard Smith, jun. After
being a few days at home, I was fent for to Chefter,
fo the marriage of John Lee, who had failed feveral
voyages with me. Next day I went to the week-day
meeting at Providence, and on firft-day was at Spring
field, from whence I returned home. The 2^d of
the ninth month, I left home again, and went to
Philadelphia, and from thence with Daniel Stanton,
John Eafton, and John Proud, jun. (the two latter of
Rhode-IJland) to Radnor meeting, and from thence to
Cojhen meeting, and by the coldnefs of the weather^
and eroding feveral Creeks^ I got a cold, which fettled
on my lungs, fo that^ in converfation, I was hoarfe ;
but I was helped in meetings to admiration, for
which I was truly thankful to the Almighty, the
great helper of his fervants and children. We had
an evening meeting with an ancient Friend, who faid
fhe had above 200 who called her mother, being her
children by blood and marriage to the fourth gene
ration : we took our leave of her, as never expecting
to fee each other more, and parted in tendernefs of
heart. One of this Friend's grandfons went with us

to

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 293

to Concord^ where, on a firft-day, we had a very large
meeting, and an evening meeting at Mofis Menden-*
ball's ; and the remainder of the week we had meet
ings at Birmingham, Kennet, New-Garden, Marlbo-
rougb, and the monthly-meeting at Center, on the
feventh-day following, at which were many young
people, for whofe fakes I was drawn and moved, in
my exercife of miniftry, to fhew the rife and defign
of our meetings of difcipline.

Firft, That the fame power that gathered us to be
a people, inclined our elders to eilablifh thofe meet
ings, and fettled them in moil parts where we were
gathered, and had meetings for the worfhip of God.

Secondly, They were advifed to do their bufinefs,
and fpeak to their affairs, in the fenle of the fame
power, fpirit, and wifdom of Chrifr, which, as it had
raifed us, would, as we kept to it, preferve us to be
a people to the praife of God's holy name.

Thirdly, They were advifed, in doing their bufi-
nefs, not to run out into many unneceiTary words,
which might lead to contention, and fpendingmuch
time to little purpofe ; religious affairs being done
bed in a meek and quiet fpirit, that being of great
price with the Lord ; great evils having been known
in many ages, through hot and long contentions
about religion. It is alfo good to avoid, in matters
of difference, refpecl ofperfons, on account of being
acquainted or related, fo as to be fwayed thereby
from ju ft ice.

Fourthly, They were advifed to be very careful
of giving any juft occafion of offence to any, to
Jew or Gentile, to Indian or Negro -, for, Wo to
them, fays our Saviour, by whom offences come ;
and if any will take offence when none is juftly
given, it is the beft way to be patient, and to take
our Saviour for our example, who got the victory
through fuffering; a fafe way, and glorious in the
end. And, as to few words, the apoftle fays, Let

T 3 your

294 THE JOURNAL OF

your words be few and favoury, feafoned with grace,
that they may adminifter grace to the hearers.

Fifthly, I was engaged, for the fakes of the youth
of both (exes, to (hew them, that a material part of
the fervice of thefe meetings, is, that care be taken
therein to fee that perfons are clear of prior engage
ments or entanglements, in relation to marriage,
and that they had the confent of parents, or parties
concerned as guardians, &c. and alfo, that they,
and all that belong to our fociety, walk orderly in
converfadon ; otherwife they could not be in unity
with us, or owned by us, as a fociety of religious
people. We do not own fcandalous perfons, nor
admit them to be married amongft us, without ac
knowledging their faults, and promifing amendment
for the future, through divine grace and afTiftance.
Alfo, in thofe meetings, the widows and fatherlefs
are taken care of, that they may be fupported and
vifited, and youths put apprentices to learn trades,
&c.

This meeting concluded with fupplication for the
rifing generation, and for the king, and all his fub-
jects, and with thankfgiving and praifes to the facred
name of him who lives for ever.

After the abovefaid meeting, we went to Wilming-
ton^ a new fettled town on Chriftiana-Creek^ which I
believe will be a flourifhing place, if the inhabitants
take care to live in the fear of God, and feek his
glory, and the riches of his kingdom, preferring it
to any thing or things of this world. We had a
pretty large meeting here, confidering the feafon
(for it was very cold) which was held in a large
houfe of William Shipley's; but they are making pro-
vifion for a meeting-houfe. From this town we
went to Newark, and had a comfortable meeting at
George Robinforfs in the evening, and next morning
let out for Pbiladelfbia*

As

I

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 295

As it was now the winter feafon, and having been
divers times at this feafon of the year in the warm
climates, the cold was become harder for me to bear
than ufual, fo that I (laid in and about home pretty
much, being divers times at Philadelphia, Frankfort,
German -town, and Abington meetings.

The latter end of the tenth month, on a firft-day
pf the week, I was at a large, open meeting at Derby y
in Chefler county. After meeting I rode home about
fourteen miles ; but it was fo cold, that my limbs
were much benumbed, and were not fully recovered
in more than a week. Coming home between
Scbuylkill river and Philadelphia, we faw the largefb
meteor that I ever faw, though I had feen many by
lea and land; this was in fight almoft a minute, as
near as I could guefs *, it was a mighty flream, like
a flame of fire, leaving, as it were, fparks of fire be
hind it, as it went along, and then fettled like a ftar,
and difappeared. A few days after this meteor,
there appeared in the fky an uncommon rednefs,
with ftreams like fire.

About this time was buried at Frankfort, John
Hurford, who was about ninety years of age •, at
whofe burial, the coldnefs of the feafon confidered,
were a pretty many friends, neighbours, and relations,
of the deceafed ; as alfo, divers from Philadelphia.
I was concerned to advife thofe preient, to prepare
for their final change, that being certain, though the
time is uncertain, which generally none know hut
the Almighty; therefore we ought always to be pre
paring for our diflblution, and always watching and
praying, left we. enter into temptation ^ as faid our
dear Lord, " If the good man of the houfe had
" known in what hour the thief would come, he
<c would have watched," Luke xii. 39. And we
not knowing whether death will come in our youth,
or middle, or old age; therefore, were earneftiy de-
fired to prepare our hearts to meet death,, fo that we

T 4 inighc

THE JOURNAL OF

might dwell with God and Chrift in his kingdom
for ever. It was alfo obferved, that though this
friend had lived to a great age, yet that few lived fo
lorig, no, not one in a thoufand, and many die very
young; therefore they were earneftly intreated, in
the love of God, through Chrift, to prepare for their
latter end, and not to let their hearts and affections
on things below ; for, by how much they fet their
hearts and affections on natural or outward things
and objects, by fo much the harder it would be to
part with them, when death fhould come. This
meeting ended with prayer for reformation and pre-
iervation to the end of life 5 and praifes, yea, high
praifes, \vere given to him, who had given to all
prefent our life, our breath, and our being.

It being exceeding fevere weather, with much rain,
wind, and mow, there were great floods, fo that we
could not get over Frankfort -Creek to meeting;
•wherefore the Friends on the weft-fide met together
at my houfe, and we had a fatisfaclory, good meet
ing, in which we were exhorted to build our religion
on the fure foundation, that ftorms, rain, nor winds,
might not be able to make us from this foundation,
which is Chrift, the rock of ages.

This winter we were vifited at Frankfort with the
fmall-pox, of which many died at Philadelphia, and
feveral in our neighbourhood.

The latter part of this winter, flaying much a£
home, I fpent my time much in reading and writing,
often being fenfibleof the love and goodnefsof God,
my exceeding great reward ; he, by the fpirit of his
Son, comforting me, and fometimes melting my
heart into tendernefs, in confideration of his many
mercies, which caufed me to praife his holy name,
who is thereof worthy, beyond expreffion, for ever.

In the firft month, I went with my Friend John
Qxley> of Barbadoes> to Eriftol^ where we had a large
meeting \ thence went over the river Delaware to

Burlington

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 297

Burlington quarterly-meeting; we were obliged to
get to the Jerfey (hore on the ice, laying boards there
on for about 100 yards together, and being long on
the ice, and poorly as to health, I took fuch a cold
that I could not get to meeting next day ; but was at
the youths meeting third-day following. Fourth*
day 1 went to Jncocas meeting, thence to a large
meeting at Mount-Holly, where was a marriage ; af
terwards at Evejham and Upper Springfield, or Hano
ver, and then returned to Burlington, and next day
was' at the monthly-meeting there, which, to me,
was a good, open meeting, wherein church dilciplme
was fooievvhat treated of, and Friends advifed to wait
for that Spirit which leads into all truth, to guide
them in their difcipline.

In the fecond month, 1737, I went to Cohanfcy,m
order to negociate fome affairs there, and, while
there, had three meetings at Greenwich, and one at
dlloway's-Creeki and on the 9th of the faid month,
being firft-day, was at Salem meeting, which was large
and open; and in the evening, we had a heavenly
meeting at Bartholomew tPyai's.

After my return from Salem, on the ift of the
third month, I took a journey to the eaftward, hav
ing a defire to fee Friends in thofe parts, whom I
had divers times vifited, in the fervice of the gofpel,
in my young years ; and though now upwards of
three-fcore years of age, was willing to vific them
once more before I died, who, in fome places, where
I had formerly travelled, were now grown very nu
merous. I fet out with Jofepb Gilbert, and feveral
other Friends, and we travelled together to Long-
I/land, where we parted, and I went to Newtown,
where I met with John Fothergill and Samuel Browne ;
at which place we had a meeting, which was ap
pointed on John's account, and his fervice therein
was to the fatisfadion and edification of Friends.
From thence John went to fFefl-Cbefter, on tfcejfc&w,

and

298 THE JOURNAL OF

and I went to Flujhing, where we had a large open
meeting; it was a folid, good time, and the facred
name of him who lives forever, waspraifed.

From Flujhing I went with my old Friend and
fchool-fellow, Jofepb Latham, to his houfe ; our
converfation was pleafant and comfortable to each
other, wherein we remembered our walking to and
from fchool, in the fuburbs of that great and popu
lous city, London ; when we were beaten, ftoned, and
abufed, only for being the children of thofe called
Quakers : the priefts, who had money for preaching,
had preached and printed fo many lies againft our
Friends, that the common people were almoft ready
to make a facrifice of us ; they telling us (when we
pleaded our innocency, by telling them, we went
quietly along the ilreets to fchool) that it was no more
lin to kill us, than to kill a dog. But now, through
the grace and favour of the Almighty, we enjoy the
exercife of our religion, according to our confcien-
ces, free from gaols and prifons, in which our pri
mitive Friends fuffered much ; for which we ought
to be truly thankful to the God and Father of our
Lord Jefus Chrift.

From Jofeph Latham's we went to Wefllury and
Matinicock) after a meeting at Cowneck, and afterward
to New-York ; where I had alfo religious fervice, and
a meeting; and from New-Tork I took my paiTage
in Robert Browne's floop for Newport , on Rhode- I/land,
•was two days and nights on the water, and on my
arrival at Rhode-IJland, the brethren lovingly receiv
ed me, and we were joyful to fee each other.

After having had divers good meetings on Rhode-
JJlandy I went to Dartmouth^ where we had a large,
ferviceable meeting, at a place called Ponyganfet ;
many hundreds being added to the church fince I
firft vifited thofe parts. From this place I went to
Holder Slocum's, and he lent us his fhailop to go over
to Nantucket) but the wind not favouring, we had a

fatisfa&ory

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 299

fatisfa&ory meeting at a large farm of his on an
ifland bearing his own name, and after meeting fet
fail for Nantucket, had feveral large meetings there,
and I rejoiced to fee the growth and increafe of
Friends 'on this ifland •, where God hath greatly
multiplied his people, and made them honourable;
glory to his name for ever.

The priefts, who have money for preaching; the
lawyers, who have it for pleading, and the phyiici-
ansj who have money for giving receipts for health;
are poor trades here on this ifland.

At Nantucket I had been about 39 years before, at
which time there were only two men and one wo
man who joined with our Friends in profefilon, |ind
now it was computed there were above icoo who
went to our meetings, they being a fober, religious
people; and there is a great increafe of Friends in
divers other places in New-England: and whereas
formerly we were greatly perfecuted for our religion,
now we are treated with more civility and refpect in
thofe parts.

From Nantncket, Nathaniel Starbuck and Elijah
Collins went with me, with feveral other Friends, to
the yearly-meeting at Rhode- IJland-, which was fo
very large, that it was difficult to fpeak fo as to be
heard all over the meeting j but the lad day of the
meeting, our Friend John Fothergill, who had a high
voice, being attended with the divine Power, gave
good fatisfadlion to the meeting, and it ended well.
After this meeting was over, 1 went with Benjamin
Bagnaly to Bofton, and from thence to Lynn and Salem^
had feveral fatisfa6lory meetings, which tended to the
uniting our hearts together in the love of Chrift,
and the fellowfhip of his gofpel. From Salem I went
with Zaccheus Collins and his wife to their houfe, and
lodged there three nights, and was lovingly enter
tained, as I was alfo at many other Friends houfes.
From Lynn> Zaccheus Collins accompanied me to JBof.

ten,

300 THE JOURNAL OF

ton, where we had a meeting on a fourth-day of the
week, and the next day there was a very large meet
ing (the greateft gathering of people which had been
feen there at Friends meeting-houfe for a long time)
occafioned by the marriage of John Miffiin, of Phila
delphia^ to Benjamin Bagnal's eldeft daughter.

From Bofton I returned to Rhode- JJland^ and had
divers meetings at Newport and Portfmouth, wherein
our hearts were made glad in Chrift, and we were
ftrengthened in our faith in him 5 blefled be his holy
Name for ever.

, From Rhode-IJland I went to Conanicut, and from
thence over to Kingfton> in the Narraganfet country,
and had meetings, and then back to Rbode-IJland
again, and thence by water in company with divers
Friends to Greenwich^ where I was at two large
meetings: at this place they fhewed me the trees,
under which, about forty years fmce, I had a meet
ing ; but now they have a pleafant meeting-houfe.

The next firfl>day, I was at a large, folid, edifying
meeting, in a new meeting-houfe at Tiverton. From
thence I went to vifit Jojepb Wantons wife, who had
been long fick; and in her chamber, with feveral of
her friends and relations, I had divers religious fea-
fons, with which Ihe exprefied much fatisfaction : fhe
died of the ficknefs, and I was at her burial, which
was large, Hie being well known and well beloved ;
the next day was at an appointed meeting at Portf-
mouth) which was large, and to fatisfaclion, for which
we blefled the holy name of God. I had divers good
opportunities at Rhode- IJland, in private families,
and was at feveral meetings over the beach at John
Eafton's, who was about ninety years of age ; he had
formerly travelled with me, when I was a young man;
we took leave of each other, never expecting to meet
more in this world.

Now, after divers meetings on Rhode-Iflandy I took
my pafTage for Long-IJland, in my return homeward,

and,

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 301

and, after aboifterous paflfage, and being four nights
on the water, I got well again to my loving Friend
Jqfepb Latham's, where 1 had left my horfe, and on
fifth-day had a meeting at Cowneck, where I met with
Elijah Collins, Roje Tibbets^ and Patience Barker, we
rejoicing to fee each other, after their long journey
by land, and mine by water, they being likewife go
ing for Pennfylvania. Thefe Friends went to Flujh-
ing firft-day meeting, and I went to Weftbury, where
was a large meeting, in which there was a drunken
fchool-mafter who difturbed the meeting, though at
laft it ended quietly, and I hope well alfo. The
next fourth-day was at the monthly-meeting at Weft-
bury, where many Friends met from divers quarters,
and it was afolid good time. We had a meeting at
Thomas Rodman's, who was unwell, and had not been
at a meeting for fome months ; he took our vifit
kindly, expreffing his love to us : we had alfo a meet
ing at Jeremiah William's, to good fatisfaftion.
Fifth-day we had a large gathering at Martinicock,
and in the evening a tender broken meeting at Samuel
Underbill's, and fixth-day a good meeting at Newton*
wherein primitive Chriftianity was opened, and expe
rimentally declared to the people, and in the even
ing we had a good opportunity to declare the truth
of Chrift at the houfe of Richard Hallet, among feve-
ral of his fober neighbours ; next morning, being
the feventh of the week, we went to Weft-Cbefter, to
a yearly-meeting, which was much crowded, and the
people very unfettled, fo that it was not fo fatisfac-
tory as could have been defired ; after meeting we
went over again to Long- I/land, and then to New-
Tork, where we had a large quiet meeting in the
evening. At New-Tork, third-day in the morning,
divers dear and loving Friends accompanied us to
the water-fide, where we folemnly took leave of one
another in the love of Chrift, and in the fellowfhip
of his gofpel, fome of us not expecting to fee each

other

302 THE J O U R N A L OF

other any more, and from thence pafllng over Long
and S tat en- I/lands, to Elizabeth -Town, we travelled to

Raway, and had a meeting at Friend Sbotwell's,

on a fourth-day in the evening, where many neigh
bours came in, and after meeting a certain peribn
was dirTatisfied about womens publick fpeaking in
religious meetings (RofeTibbets having publickly ex-
horred them in this meeting to be religious and to
fear God, and having prayed to God for us all, and
praifed his holy name) which faid perfon defired we
would endeavour to fatisfy him about it, inafmuch
as the apoftle Paul forbad it, as he apprehended.
To which it was anfwered, that the apoftle Paul only
forbad, or did not permit forward or overbufy wo
men, to fpeak or afk queftions in the church ; but
advifed them to afk their hufbands at home, and that
doubtlefs he never intended to debar fuch godly-
women, who had a real neceffity laid on them, and
were concerned, by the Almighty, to fpeak unto, or
pray for the people, elfe he would not have fhewed
them, how they ought to behave themfelves in their
fpeaking unto, or praying for the people or church ;
for if he had any defign to hinder fuch, whom the
Almighty fhould concern, then he mud have contra
dicted himfelf (where he Ihews how they mud be
have themfelves in their duty of fpeaking or praying)
and he would likewife thereby have oppofed the
apoftle Peter^ who faid, " Now is fulfilled the pro-
<e phecy of the prophet Joel, that in the latter days
" fons and daughters fhould prophefy." So that
It is clear and plain, they who would limit or filence
thofe, who have a gift from God to preach or pray in
publick, from the words of the apoftle Paul, they
oppofe him to himfelf, and to the apoftle Peter, and
alfo to the prophet Joel.

From Raway, we went to Woodbridgey where we
had a meeting, and there I parted with my fellow-
travellers, having a concern, though much in the

crofs

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 303

crofs to my own will, to go back in the woods, to a
meeting about eight or nine miles off,' which meet-
ino- was much to mine and their fatisfaflion, as di
ve°rs of them expreffed. From this place I went to
Stem-brook, had a pretty large meeting, conhdenng
it was rainy in the time of the meeungs gathering.
At this place my fon-in-law, IJanc Brown, with feve-
ral Friends, came to meet me, whom I was glad to
fee, and went after meeting with them to Trenton,
and next day to Brijlol, it being their third-day meet-
incr, which was large, and after meeting went home
toFrantfort, and there was lovingly received by my
wife and family. In this journey I was from home
three months and nine days, had fifty-five meetings,
and travelled by land and water above a thouiand
miles; and I may truly fay, that therein I was fa
voured with the divine prefence and grace of God
by Chrift in a good degree, and alfo with the fellow-
fhip of many (incere believers in him, which m my
return caufed my foul to blefs his holy Name, who
lives for ever.

In the fixth month, after having had divers meet
ings at and about home, I went to Derby, defter, and
Nwcaftie, having meetings at each place, which was
to the tendering of fome mournful fouls, and to the
comforting and itrengthening them. From Newcaftle
I ferried over Delaware river to Pennfneck, when
had a meeting, at which were feveral that had never
been at any of our meetings before, who went away
well fatisfied. From thence 1 went to Salem monthly-
meeting, which was very large, and thence to Coban-
' fey, to the third-day meeting, and ftaid till next firft-
day meeting, which, though fmall, by reafon of rainy,
ftormy weather, was a very precious meeting. After
I negotiated fome affairs at Cobanfey, I returned to
Salem, where I met with my fellow-traveller, Elijah
Collins, of Bofion, with whom I went on to Philadel
phia, and from thence home, having much fatisrac-

A * *• t f~\ *V

tion

304 THE JOURNAL OF

tion in this journey, in which I had nine meetings,
and travelled about 150 miles. I cannot be clear in
my mind without faying, that I did not, nor do not
ftudy what I preach to the people, nor did I, or do I
receive any pay or natural confederation for preach
ing, it being, as I really believe, contrary to the
docirine of Chrift, and his apoftles and difciples.

This fall I vifited fcveral of the meetings of Friends
In Bucks county, and the meetings in and about home,
as at Frankfort^ Philadelphia, Abington, By berry* and
German- f own. In the ninth month I was appointed,
with feveral other Friends, by our monthly-meet
ing, to vifit the families of Friends in Philadelphia-,
my lot was to vifit the upper part of the city, in
company with Phebe Morris, Hannah Parrock^ and
Daniel Stanton •, in which fervice we were of one
heart and mind, and we performed the faid fervice
in pure felf-denial, and in the crofs of our holy Lord
Jefus Chrift •, and wonderful it was, how the pre-
lenee and goodnefs of God went with us from houfe
to houfe, and opened the dates and conditions of
the families to us, to the tendering of many hearts,
both of parents, and of their children. We vifited
about forty families of our Friends, and the winter
letting in, and I being but weakly, having had a
fharp fpell of the fever, we, by confent, were wil
ling to defer the conclufion of this work, until lon
ger days, and warmer weather.

In this month I was fcnt to, in order to be at the
burial of the wife of Richard Smith, junior; fhe was
a* virtuous woman, and well beloved, at whofe fune
ral were many of her neighbours and friends : it was
a very folemn time, in which meeting, it was defired
that thole who had loft their parents would live fo,
that they might not be a difhonour to them ; for it
was oblerved of fome children, after their parents
were dead, they grew worfe than when they were
alive, taking undue liberties, which their fathers and

mothers

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 305

mothers could not have allowed of, which was a fore
grief, and trouble to their Friends, and fuch as wifh-
ed them well ; therefore they were exhorted not to do
that now, when their parents were dead, which they
would not have done, if they were living, which
•would be heavy on them, and tend to bring a blaft
on them in this world ; and they were defired to con-
fider, how they would anfwer it in the world to
come.

It was alfo obferved, that fometimes the death of
parents had a good effect on divers fober young
people, they being thereby led more feriouOy to
think on their own mortality, and to confider the
great lofs of their careful and religious fathers and
mothers, and the good example and couniel they
gave them. This meeting concluded with a folid
weighty frame of mind in many. From Burlington I
went to Mount-holly, had a large meeting at the
rneeting-houfe, and another in the evening at Mount-
holly town, at the houfe of Thomas Shimi ; both which
were open meetings, and divers people, not of our
profeflion, were there, who were well iatisfied there
with. From Mount -holly I went to Eve/loam and
Chefter, as alfo to Haddonfield, at all which places I
had large meetings, and then I went back again to
Burlington^ and was at their fifth-day meeting.
From Burlington I went with Richard Smith, Caleb
Raper> and Jonathan Wright^ to vifit a Friend who
was fick, after which the faid Friends accompanied
me to the ferry ; after I was over the ferry, 1 rode
home, where I found my family well, for which I
was thankful. In the fore part of the tenth month
our worthy Friend, John Fothergill, failed in the bri-
gantine Jofeph, Ralph Loftus, mailer, for Barbados*,
he having made a third vifit to America from Europe,
on a religious account. His vifit was acceptable and
ferviceable, and we parted in great love and tcnder-
jiefs; the night before, about the eleventh hour,

U was

306 THE JOURNAL OF

was an earthquake, which was the greateft known In
this province, the whole city of Philadelphia being
fhaken, and moft part of the adjacent provinces,
though little or no damage done thereby, which ihews
the abundant mercy of a merciful God ; as alfo, if it
were the pleafure of his will, how foon he can lay
cities and countries wafte and defolate, and bury
thoufands in a moment; but notwithflanding the
mighty power of the eternal Jehovah, oh how hard
are the peoples hearts, and how they hate to be re
formed, and how unconcerned are the inhabitants
of the land about their eternal peace and well-being !
This is really lamentable : oh ! how do earthly-
mindednefs, pride, covetoufnefs, and drunkennefs,
abound, with many other evils, which were fcarcely
known amongft thefirft fettlers of this peaceful, and
now plentiful land of Pennfyhania.

The 26th of the twelfth month, being the firft-
day of the week, was buried at Merion, Edward Jones*
aged about ninety-two years, he was one of the firft
fettlers of Pennfylvania, and was a man much given
to hofpitality, a lover of good and virtuous people,
and was likewife beloved by them. There were
many hundreds of people at his funeraK I had a con
cern to be at this meeting before I left my place at
Frankfort, and before I heard of this Friend's de-
ceafe.

The beginning of the firil month, being the fifth
of the week, I was fent to, in order to be at the bu
rial of Hannah, the wife of John Mickley at New-town,
\nWeft~JerJey: my kinfman, Daniel Stanton, was with
me at this burial : it was a folid, heart-melting
time, my heart was broken into tenderneis with
many others. This deceafed Friend was much be
loved by her Friends and neighbours, and there was
much mourning among her relations at her grave,
among whom fhe will be greatly miffed. The peo
ple were defired earneftly to prepare for their latter

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 307

end, and final change, and that, as we had all reafon
to hope it was well with our deceafed Friend, we
might likewife have a well-grounded hope, that it
would be well with ourfelves, when we came to put
off our mortality, and put on immortality. The
meeting ended with fervent fupplication for our fu
ture well-doing and well-being, both here and here
after, and praife to the moft High, who is alone wor
thy for evermore.

As foon as I returned to Philadelphia, on the fixth-
day of the week, I heard of the death of J of eph Kirk-
bride y at Ifrael Pemlertotf^ who told me, I was defired
to be at his burial. He, his fon, and William Logan>
accompanied me as far as Samuel Buntings that after
noon, with which journey I was exceedingly tired, fo
that I could hardly fland or go when I alighted off my
horfe, but being refrefhed with a good night's reft, I
went in the morning to the houfe of my deceafed
Friend. There was a multitude of people at the
burial, among whom we had a good opportunity to
invite them to lay hold of truth and righteoufnefs,
and prepare for another world. They were remind
ed that neither natural wifdom, nor riches, youth nor
ftrength, crowns nor fcepters, would, nor could fe-
cure them from the ftroke of death. Robert Jordan
was at this meeting, and had good fervice therein;
it concluded in fupplication for the widow and fa-
therlefs, and for mankind univerfally. Firft-day be
ing the 4th of the firft month, I was at Middle ton
meeting, in company with Thomas Brown, wherein
the divinity of Chrift, and his being made flefh, born
of a virgin, crucified, dead and buried, and his be
ing raifed from the dead by the divine power, was
largely opened to the people, and that the fame
power muft be witnefled to reform our lives, and
give us the true faving faith and knowledge of God
the Father, and Chrift the Son, and of the holy
Ghoft.

U 2 This

308 THE JOURNAL OF

This month, at our general fpring-meeting, I ao
.quainted Friends, that I had a defire once more to fee
my Friends in Virginia, Maryland, and North-Carolina,
if health and flrength did permit, and divine Provi
dence favoured, I not having yet fully recovered my
former health and flrength, to which the meeting
.con fen ted.

The latter end of the firft month, I was at the bu
rial of Robert Evan, of North- Wales •, he was up
wards of fourfcore years of age, and one of the firft
fettlers there. A man who lived and died in the
love of God and his neighbours, of whom, I believe
it might be truly faid, as our Saviour faid of Natha
niel; «' Behold an IfraeUte indeed, in whom there is
tc no guile." He was a minifter of Chrift, full of
divine and religious matter. In this month I was at
Fair-hill^ at a meeting appointed for Ruth Courtney,
and Sufannah Hudfon, who were on a religious vifit
from Ireland, to Friends in this and the adjacent
provinces ; it was a good meeting, the Friends
fpeaking to the ftate thereof.

The beginning of the fecond month, I went over
Delaware, and fo to Cohanjey, intending home before
I fet out for my journey to the fouthward ; but my
affairs not anfwering to come home, and afterwards
to reach the yearly-meeting of Friends at Weft-River*
the which I propofed to our general-meeting -, I now
wrote to my wife and family, that I intended to pro
ceed to Weft-River meeting, it faving me much time
and riding, and after having been at feveral meet-
ings at Cohanfey, and at the yearly-meeting at Salem,
and at a meeting at Piles-Grove-, being accompanied
by a Friend at Sakm, I proceeded and went over
Delaware river, and firft had a meeting at Georges
creek, and from thence to the head of Saffafras river,
where we had a meeting, but by rea/on of the wet
weather, it was but fmall $ thence we travelled to
Cecil meeting, and fo on to CbeJIer> where we had a

meeting

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 309

meeting on firft-day, then to <j>ueen 4nn's county, and
back from thence to New-Town, on Cbefter river, at
which town we had a large fatisfadory meeting, in
which it was Ihewn, that no good Chriftian might,
or could break, the moral part of the law, for it,
faith the apoftle, is a fchoolmafter to bring to Chrift,
and that thofe who come to the gofpel of Chnft,
can in no wife break the lead commandment of God.
As for example, the law faith, Thou (halt not for-
fwear thyfelf ; but if a man, according to Chrift's
gofpel, fwears not at all, then that man cannot for-
iwear himfelf. Again, the law faith, Thou (halt love
thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy ; but Chrift
faith, Love your enemies ; the which if we do, there
is no doubt but we (hall love our neighbours.
Again, the law fays, Thou (halt not commit adul
tery ; but if, according to the doftrine and gofpel
of Chrift, a man doth not look on a woman with a
luftful eye, there is no danger of committing adul
tery with her, &c. Thofe things were largely fpoke
to, and opened in the meeting, and the people, there
being many not of our fociety, were very attentive
and fober, and the good hand of the Almighty was
amongft us in this meeting. From Cbefter river we
eroded Che/apeak bay, to the yearly-meeting at Weft-
River, with Cbefter Friends, in William Thomas's boat,
and fent our horfes over by Kent-IJland, to Weft- River*
•where we met with our Friends, Michael Ligbtfoot,
Elizabeth Wyat, and Grace Mafon, with divers others,
(Elizabeth and Grace being on their return from a
religious vifit to North-Carolina and Virginia): we
all being far from home, and well acquainted, were
glad to fee one another, being thankful to the Al
mighty, who had been pleafed to preferve us fo far
on our way. After the meeting was ended at Weft-
River, taking leave in the love of Chrift of divers
Friends, with hearts full of love, and eyes full of
tears, as never expecting to fee one another again, I,

U 3

3io THE JOURNAL OF

with my companion, and Armiger 'Trotter, who came
up with the Friends from Virginia to Weft-River^ fet
out for Virginia, and having pafTed over Patuxent
river, had a meeting among the family of the Plum-
wers, one of whom, with another Friend, accompa
nied us to the river Potomack ; we rode, as near as
\ve could compute it, fixty miles that day; I being
heavy and aged, and the weather hot, was very much
tired, and laid down in my clothes all night, and the
next morning ferried over the river Potomack, com
puted about three miles over, and parted with our
guides. When over this river, we travelled about

t!>

fifteen miles to William Dttjf's, had a meeting there,
and from thence to a meeting of Friends at John
Cbeagle's, and fo on to Black-Creek, had a meeting
there, and then went to the monthly-meeting of
Friends on the weft-fide of James-River, and ib to
William Lad's, after which we went to the monthly-
meeting of Friends at Nanfemond- River, and from
thence to Carolina, and on a firft-day had a large
meeting at a new meeting-houfe built to accommo
date the yearly-meeting; it was a good folid meet
ing, and there the Friends appointed for us the
meetings following : third-day of the week, being
the 1 3th of the fourth month, at Jojeph Barrow's,
fourth-day at Jacob Butler's, fifth-day at Samuel
Newby's, fixth-day and firft-day at the upper meet
ing-houfe at Little-River, and third -day at the low
er meeting-houfe on the faid river, and fourth-day at
PoJ-potanck, and fifth-day at Amos Trueblood's, up Pof-
^otanck river, and then we went to the quarterly-
meeting for Friends in North Carolina, which was
very large ; the people were exhorted to overcome
fin as Chrift overcame, that they might fit with him
in his kingdom, as he overcame, and is fit down in
the kingdom of God his Father; that fubjec't was
largely fpoken to that day, and we had a good op
portunity with the people, and the great name of

God

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 311

God was exalted over all. After this quarterly-meet-
ing, we had a meeting at James Wilfons, in the Ear-
rens, which was a large, good and open meeting;
in the conclufion thereof, I told them, That I came
among them in great love (though in a crofs to my
own will, with refpedl to my age, and the heat of
weather) being willing to fee them, in that province,
once more before I left the world ; and, as I came
in love, fo I parted with them; defmng them, to
dwell in love and peace, and then the God of love
would be with them.

From Carolina we travelled into Virginia, Zacharlab
Nickfon accompanying us, and had a meeting at the
widow Newly* s, and from thence had a meeting at
Nanfimundy and fo to the Branchy where we had a
very large meeting; many people were there not of
our fociety, and were very attentive and fober ; and
next day, being the fecond-day of the week, we had
a fatisfaciory meeting at Bennet's-Crcek^ and thence
to Chuckatuck, and fo on to Rafper-Neck, and then to
Pagan-Creek, thence into Surry county, to Samuel Se-
brell'S) and thence to Robert Honicut's, had a meet
ing there, then to Curl's, up James-River, to Thomas
and John Pleafanfs, had a meeting there on a firft-
day, and then to the Swamp and Cedar-Creek, and fo
on to John Cbeaglis. We came to John Cheagle's the
20th of the fifth month, being the fifth of the week,
and being unwilling to be idle on fixth and feventh-
days, intending to have a meeting at his houfe on
firft-day, I afked John if he could tell where we could
have a meeting on fixth and feventh-day ? and he
faid, Yes, he could. And he appointed one abouC
three miles off his houfe, and another fix miles
off; at which places we had good fervice; and
then had a very large meeting at his houfe on firft-
day, which was, I hope, to pretty general fatisfac-
tion, to the religipus part of the people. From
thence we travelled to William Duff's, John, and ano-

U 4 ther

gi2 THE JOURNAL or

ther Friend going with us, and had a meeting at theft
meeting-houfe, and afterwards William went with us
over Potomack river, as far as Pifcattaway, in Mary
land; this river is computed to be near four miles
over, and when about the middle, there was a large
fwell in the river, fo that our horfes could notftand,
and the motion of the boat made them fall down,
and the boat having much water in it, being very
leaky, fhe was near overfetting; they in the boat
were in feme concern and confternation, faying, when
\ve came to the fhore, that they did not remember
they were ever before in the like danger ; and I ap
prehended we were in danger, and if the boat had
overfet, in all likelihood, we might all have been
drowned ; and I then thought I was in the fervice of
Chrift, my great Mailer ; and I alfo knew, I muft
die, and I thought I might as well die in his fervice
as my own ; fo I gave up my life for Chrift's fake,
and he gave it to me again. Oh! may I, with all
thofe who fincerely love him, ferve him truly all our
days, is my defire !

From Pifcattaway we travelled to Patuxent^ to the
family of the Plummers, who were ten fons of one
father and mother, who were convinced about the
time I firft had meetings in thofe parts, and, fo far as
I know, they were all fober men. After this meet
ing we went to Gerad Hopkins' 's, and from thence to
Patapjco, had a large meeting, the houfe being full
before the Friends came, fo that they were hard fet
to get in -, to me it was a good, feafonable opportu
nity, as was our next in the Foreji of Gunpowder River ',
where Friends have built a new meeting- houfe,
which at this time, could not contain the people :
from Gunpowder River we went to Bu/h River, had a
good open meeting, and one at Deer-Creek, and fo
over Sufquebannaby to Elihu Hall's.

At Weft-Nottingham 1 parted with my companion,
he .having about a day's travel home. I had two

meeting

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 313

fneetings on firft-day at the great meeting-houfe at
Weft-Nottingham, which were very large, and Friends
o-lad to fee me once more : and after having meet-
fngs at CMftine-MJge, Wilmington, Center, w& Ken-
wet, went to the quarterly-meeting of mimfters at
Concord, and was there firft and fecond-day, and
third-day at Derby, all which were very large meet
ings, arid Friends were fatisfied and comforted, and
I wa's encouraged in the work and ferviceof the gof-
pel of Chrift. From Derby I went home, having
been abroad about four months, and rode, by com
putation, above eleven hundred miles; and at about
feventy meetings.

While I was on this journey, I had an account or
the death of my dear and only brother, George Chalk-
ley, a religious, prudent man ; he died the 24th of
the ninth month, 1737, near the feventieth year of
his age, and left behind him a mournful widow and
four daughters, all virtuous women.

When^in Virginia, I wrote to thofe of our fociety
at Opeckon, Shannadore, &c. (many of whom went
out of our province, to fettle in the government of
Virginia) to the following effect, viz.

Virginia, at John Cbeagle's, 2ift fifth month, 1738.
To Friends of the Monthly-meeting at Opeckon.

Dear Friends, who inhabit Shannadore and Opeckon,

< TTAVING a concern for your welfare and
« profperity, both now and hereafter, and alfo
c the prosperity of your children, I had a defire to
( fee you ; but being in years, and heavy, and much
« fpent and fatigued with my long journeys in Virgi-

< nia and Carolina, makes it feem too hard for me to

* perform a vifit in perfon to you •, wherefore I take

* this way of writing to difcharge my mind of what
« lies weightily thereon : and,

« Firft,

314 THE JOURNAL OF

4 Firft, I defire that you be very careful, being far

* and back inhabitants, to keep a friendly correfpon-

* dence with the native Indians, giving them no oc-
€ cafion of offence; they being a cruel and mercilefs
f enemy, where they think they are wronged or de-
« frauded of their right, as woful experience hath
c taught, in Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland^ and
f efpecially in New- England, &c. and,

c Secondly, As nature hath given them, and their

* fore-fathers, the pofTefiion of this continent tfAme-
c ricaj or this wildernefs, they have a natural right

* thereto in juftice and equity •, and no people, ac-

* cording to the law of nature and juftice, and our
€ own principle, which is according to the glorious

< gofpel of our dear and holy Lord Jefus Chrift,

* ought to take away, or fettle, on other mens lands

* or rights, without confent, or purchafing the fame,
r by agreement of the parties concerned -, which, I
c fuppofe, in your cafe is not yet done.

* Thirdly, Therefore my counfel and Chriftian ad-

ff vice to you is, my dear Friends, That the moil

€ reputable among you, do, with fpeed, endeavour

c to agree with and purchafe your lands of the native

c Indians or inhabitants : take example of our wor-

c thy and honourable late proprietor, William Penn;

e who, by his wife and religious care, in that rela-

< tion, hath fettled a lading peace and commerce
c with the natives, and, through his prudent manage-
c ment therein, hath been inftrumental to plant in
c peace, one of the rnoft flourilhing provinces in the
J world.

c Fourthly, And who would run the rifque of the
c lives of their wives and children, for the fparing

* a little coft and pains ? I am concerned to lay thofe
4 things before you, under an uncommon exercife of

* mind, that your new and flouriihing little fettle*
c ment, might not be laid wafte, and, if the Provi-
' dence of the Almighty doth not intervene, fome

< of

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 315

of the blood of yourfelves, wives or children, be
fried and fpilt on the ground.
< Fifthly, Confider you are in the province ofFir-
£/»w, holding what rights you have under that go-
vernment ; and the Virginians have made an agree-
ment with the natives, to go as far as the moun-
tains, but no farther -, and you are over and beyond
the mountains, therefore out of that agreement;
by which you lie open to the infults and incurfions
of the fouthern Indians, who have deftroyed many
of the inhabitants of Carolina and Virginia^ and even
now have deftroyed more on the like occafion,
[The Englijh going beyond the bounds of their
agreement, eleven of them were killed by the In-
Sans while we were travelling in Virginia, j
c Sixthly, If you believe yourfelves to be within
the bounds of William Pern's patent from king
Charles the fecond, which will be hard for jou to
prove, you being far to the fouthward of his line;
yet, if done, that is of no confideration with the
Indians, without a purchafe of them; except you
will go about to convince them by fire and fword,
contrary to our principles ; and if that were done,
they would ever be implacable enemies, and the
land would never be enjoyed in peace.

< Seventhly, Pkafe to note, that in Pennfylvama
no new fettlements are made, without an agree-

c ment with the natives; as witnefs, Lancafter coun-

* ty, lately fettled; though that is far within the

< grant of William Penns patent from king Charles

< the fecond; wherefore you lie open to infurrec-

* tions of the northern, as well as fouthern Indians.

< And, laftly, Thus having Ihewn my good-will
c to you, and to your new little fettlement, that you
c might fit every one under your own fhady tree,
' where none might make you afraid, and that you
c might profpcr naturally anil fpiritually, you and

< your children •> and having a little eafed my mind

c of

THE JOURNAL or

* of that weight and concern, in fome meafure, that

* lay upon me, I, atprefent, defift, and fubfcribe, ia
f the love of our holy Lord Jefus Chrift,

* Your real friend,

< f. CHALK LET.

After my return from this journey, I flayed much
at home that winter, travelling now being hard for
me, fo that I could not perform long journeys as
formerly, being more broken in the long and hard
travelling in this journey, than in divers years be
fore.

In the year 1739, ^ to°k feveral fhort or lefler
journeys, and had many meetings in divers places,
as in Salem and Burlington counties, in Weft-Jersey^
and Philadelphia, Chefter, and Bucks counties in Penn-
fyfoania, having many large and comfortable meet
ings, and fome fatisfactory fervice in divers of
them.

This year the war broke out between Great-Bri
tain and Spain, the Spaniards giving great occafion
of offence to the Britijh nation ; notwithftanding
which, king George the iecond fought to accommo
date matters peaceably ; but the crown of Spain not
complying with the terms agreed on for an accom
modation, therefore war was proclaimed ; which oc-
cafioned much diflurbance and diffraction in our lit-
<le peaceable province and government; war being
deftructive to life, health and trade, the peace and
profperity of the ptople, and abfolutely againft the
doctrine and practice of the Prince of life and peace,
our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift ; a great concern
came on my mind to promote his doctrine ; in order
to which, I was largely concerned to treat thereof in
or at the general fpr ing-meeting at Philadelphia-,

\vitli

THOMAS CHALKLEY.

which fervice divers wife and pious people were
well fatisfied, though fome were offended.

When the meeting was over, I having a defire
and concern once more to vifit Friends in the three*
lower counties, Newcaftle9 Kent, and Sitffex, among;
whom I had not travelled for near twenty years, and
being now a little better in health than I had been, I
fet out from my home, and went to Cbe/ler, and from
thence to Wilmington, and had a meeting there; and
then to Newcaftle, where we had another; William
Hammond being with me, he and I went from New-
caftle to George 's- Creek, had a meeting there ; and then
went to Duck-Creek ; after having two meetings at
Duck-Creek, I went to Little-Creek meeting, and fo
proceeded to the Mother-Kills, where I had a large,
open time in preaching the gofpel to the people,
•which divers of them received with gladnefs -9 and
there were many, not of our fociety, who were very
fober and attentive, a door being open among them ;
yet notwithilanding there may be much opennefs
both in fpeakers and hearers, I have obferved with
forrow, that there are but few who retain the truth
fo as to be really converted ; many are convinced,
but few converted and come to be regenerated or
born again, as our Saviour taught.

From Mother-Kills I went back to Little-Creek, to
timothy Hanfon's, he accompanying me, and from
tfimotb/s I went to Duck-Creek, and from thence to
dppoquinamy, to the burial of a Friend's fon, who died
of the fmall-pox ; on which occafion we had a folid
meeting, the mournful relations being thankful for
our company. From dfpoquinamy I went to John
JVL'Cool'Sy and from thence to Newcaftle^ where we
had a large open meeting, to the fatisfaftion of di
vers ; though I was very weakly and poorly, as to my'
health, fo that it was hard for me to ftoop to take any
thing from the ground, and with difficulty I walk
ed from the Friend's houfe to the meeting -, but be
ing

THE JOURNAL OF

ing helped by grace, and carried through the fervice
of the meeting beyond my expectation, was, with
divers others, truly thankful to God the Father, and
Chrift, my Lord and Saviour.

From Newcaftle I went to Wilmington, had a meet
ing there, and from thence to Newark, to the mar
riage of Alexander Seaton \ the meeting was uncom
monly large, and to general fatisfaction.

From Newark Iwentbackto Wilmington^ and from
thence to the Center monthly-meeting, and fo on to
Kennet^ where was a very large meeting : here divers
who had profefTed among us, refrained coming to the
publick meeting for divine worJriip ; with whom,
next day, we had a meeting, wherein the evil confe-
quence of forfaking the afTembling ourfelves together
was fpoke to, and that it would be a great hurt to
the young and rifing generation, and themfelves alfo;
being a bad example to them, and contrary to the
advice and counfel of the holy apoftle, Cf Not to
*c forfake the afTembling of ourfelves together, as
the manner of fome is."

From Kennet I went to Concord, to the burial of
Benjamin Mendinhall, where we had a large and folid
meeting, feveral lively teftimonies being borne there
in. This Friend was a worthy elder, and a iervice-
able man in our lociety, and one of the firft or early
fettlers in Pennfylvania : a man given to hofpitality,
and a good example to his family, and hath lefc
divers hopeful children furviving him.

The night before this meeting I lodged at the
widow GilpinS) whofe hufband, Jofeph Gilpin, was
lately deceafed ; there was true Chriftian love and
friendfhip between us for above fifty years. When
firft I faw Jofeph in Pennfylvania, he lived in a cave
in the earth, where we enjoyed each others com
pany in the love and fear of God. This Friend had
fifteen children, whom he lived to fee brought up to

the

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 319

the ftates of men and women, and all but two mar
ried well, and to his mind.

From Concord I went to Wilmington, and from
thence after meeting to Newcaftle, where I, with
George Hogg, went over the river Delaware into
Penns-Neck, and had a meeting at James Wilfotfs ;
from Pentfs-Neck we went to Salem, and thence to
Cohanfey, where I had feveral meetings at Greenwich,
and at the head of Alfawafs-Creek, alfo at David
Davis's, where the people kindly lent us the benches
of theirmeeting-houfe,and many of them came them-
felves, and were very attentive 3 after which I went
to Piles-Grove and had a meeting there, and from
thence to Woodberry -Creek, and fo to Gloucefter, where
I ferried over Delaware to Philadelphia, and from
thence came home, having travelled about 500 miles
in this journey, after which I (laid at and about home
for fome time.

I was at the yearly-meeting at Burlington, in the
feventh month -, going to this meeting, my horfe
flarted, and threw me, which hurt my fhoulder and
hip badly, of which hurt I did not recover for above
half a year.

This meeting was very large, and though I was
outwardly in mifery and pain, yet in the fenfe of the
love and goodnefs of God, and grace of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, I was, with many others, much com
forted in fpirit.

From Bur ling t on I travelled to Shrewjlary, having
feveral meetings by the way, as at Burden-? own *
CroJJwicks, Trenton, &c. This journey I rode in
much pain, but the fatisfaction I had in meetings
through the Spirit and power of the moft High*
made amends for all the labour and pain I under
went. I blefs the facred name of God, and may I
do it for ever ! I made what hafle I could home,
being in pain with my fall, and tarried at home moft
of the winter, which was one of the longed and

hardeft

320 THE J O U R N A. L OF

hardeft known in thefe parts, by fome of the oldeff
livers here ; divers people being frozen to death in
feveral places, and many fheep and cattle perifhing,
and much of the winter grain killed with the froft,
fo that there was fome apprehenfion of a want of
bread; all which I took to be warnings of the juft
and righteous judgments of God, for the ingratitude,
pride, and other fins and iniquities of the people,
the which 1 was divers times, and at divers places,
concerned to put them in mind of. How well would
it be, if the people would lay the judgments of the
nioft High to heart; and when his judgments are
abroad in the earth, that the inhabitants would learn
righteoufnefs !

After this winter I was at a general-meeting at
German- town, and at meetings at North-Wales^ Hor-
Jham, and By berry, and from thence, with Jofcph Gil
bert, went to Burlington, and was at a marriage there,
and then returned home.

In the fecond month I was under an inward and
religious engagement in my mind to vifit the meet
ings of Friends in Gloucefter and Salem counties, in
Weft-Jerfey, and the igth of the faid month I went
over Delaware river, and was at Haddonfield on a
firlt-day, and third-day at Chefter, fourth-day had a
meeting at the houfe of Jofiab Fofter, and fifth-day
at Evejhatn ; from which meeting I went to John
Eftaugb's, Ebenezcr Large, and Samuel Jordan being
with me. In the morning we went to Woodberry-
Creek meeting, and next day down to Salem, in order
for the yearly-meeting, which began on the 26th of
the fecond month, and was an extraordinary folid
meeting, the divine prefence and glory being richly
rnanifeiled amongft us.

From Salem I went, in company with Jobn Evans
and Elizabeth Stevens, to Allow ay' s-Creek and Cohan-
fey, where we had meetings, I believe, to the fatis-
faftion of many $ here I parted with the faid Friends

THOMAS CHALKLEY, 321

and not being well, I ftaid at Greenwich, and they
went to David Davis's, in order for Pilef grove meet
ing.

Yhe 3d of the third month, being the firft of the
week, I was at Cohanfey meeting, which was iblid and
weighty ; in which the mighty works of God, and
his wonderful power, was fet forth to the people in
divers refpecls.

Firft, As to the work of the creation of the hea
vens and the earth, and of man to govern in the
earth, referving to himfelf the government of man ;
to whom he gave a law, for the breach of which he
was turned out of paradife, and brought death into
the world.

Secondly, Notwithstanding man's fall, God had
love, mercy and compaffion towards him, and pro-
mi fed the feed of the woman fhould bruife the head
of the ferpent, who led them aftray, which feed
was Chrift, whom all are commanded to hear, be
lieve and follow, in the practice of his holy doclrine,
which is contained in his words fpoken to his imme
diate difciples and apoftles,and likewife made known
and revealed in our hearts.

Thirdly, That now in our day his righteous judg
ments are abroad in the earth, as the fword, and a
threatning of famine, or want of bread •, all which
was fpoken in the tender love and fear of God, and
faith of Chrift, and all were intreated to lay thefe
things to heart, and turn to the Lord, and he will
have mercy, and to our God, and he will abundantly
pardon. In this meeting God was glorified, and his
name magnified, through the afliftance of the Spirit:
of his dear Son our Lord.

From Cohanfey I went to Salem, and thence to Da-
<vid Davis* s, where we had a meeting, at which were
feveral people of divers profeflions, who were fatif-
fied and edified therein; and thence we went to
filejgrove meeting, afterwards into Ptm's-Neck, and

had

322 THE JOURNAL OF

had a good open meeting at the widow Hughs' ss and
fo to Woo dberry -Creek meeting, which I hope was
ferviceabre ; after which I went home with my Friend
James Lord's widow, who,' with her filler Ann Cooper,
and Jofeph Clews^ went with me to Gloucefter gaol,
where we vifited one under fentence of death for
Healing i I afked him, if he truly repented of that
fin of Sealing, of which he had been fo often guilty.
He told me, he hoped he had, and was willing to die.
He was recommended to the grace of God, and to
keep in an humble frame of mind, and beg mercy of
the Almighty, for the fake of Chrift, for all his fins.
While" a Friend was praying by him, he was broken
into tendernefs.

Here the aforefaid Friends parted with me ; I crof-
fing the river Delaware to Philadelphia) and fo home
to Frankfort. I was at ten meetings in this journey,
beiides the yearly-meeting at Salem ^ and travelled
about 150 miles; but travelling was painful to my
body; for I now more and more felt the effects of
many old falls and bruifes, which much difabled and
hurt me in riding.

In the fourth month I was at divers meetings about
or near home, as at Fair-bill^ German-Town, and
at a meeting at Thomas Roberts'* ; alfo was at Phila
delphia meeting. In the beginning of the fifth
month, I vifitecl Friends meetings at Derby> Menon*
and Haverford; at the laft place the meeting was
large, and very open, wherein the mighty power
of God was exalted over all, and it was plainly ma-
nifefted, that if there was any virtue, or any good
gift or genius in the creature, it derived its excel
lency from the Creator ; and that man, in his beft
capacity, in either natural or fpiritual attainments,
hath no caufe to boaft or glory in any thing or things,
•which he, as an inflrument in the divine hand, might
help to do or perform -, wherefore we ought to hum
ble Qurfeivea under the mighty hand of God, attribut-*

ing

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 323

ting no glory to felf, or the creature, but all glory
and praife to the Creator, who is in and over all,
bleffed for ever.

The 2Oth of the fifth month, I fet forward on a
journey, in order to vifit Friends at and near Bur-
lingtony and was next day at a meeting at Briftol,
which was large, confidering the heat of the wea
ther, and the fhortnefs of the notice ; next day,
being the fourth-day of the week, and the 2id of
the month, I was at Mount-Holly •, at the burial of our
ancient Friend, Reftored Lippincodt : he was, as I u'n-
derilood, near an hundred years of age, and had up
wards of 200 children, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren, many of whom were at his funeral ;
the meeting was large, and thought to be a fervice-
able meeting by divers. After this meeting I went
•with a few choice Friends to vifit Sufannah Fearon,
who had been long ill, in which vifit we were fa
voured with the divine prefence and goodnefs of the
Mofl High, for which we returned him thanks and
praife. After which we went to Burlington , and next
day had a meeting, which was an acceptable oppor
tunity to many.

Next firft-day being the 2 7th of the month, we
3iad a good folid meeting at Trenton ; from thence I
•went with divers Friends to Brijlol, and fo home to
Frankfort, and was thankful to the Almighty for the
grace which he was pleafed to beftow upon me, a
poor worm ; and that, confidering the extreme heat^
I had my health better than ufual. After coming
home, I vifited divers meetings &t Philadelphia, tiad-
donfield, Frankfort, &c.

In the fixth. month there was a great mortality in
Philadelphia) and many were taken away •, on a fifth-
day, I was concerned to put the people in mind of it,
and of their own mortality, and exhorted them to
prepare for it, they not knowing whofe turn it might
be next, nor the hour when death might come t<*

X 2 their

•324 THE JOURNAL o^

their own habitations ; and was concerned, in the
fame nature, at feveral large burials ; in the meeting
at Philadelphia^ they were told, It was better to fall
into the hands of the Lord, than into the hands of
men ; and that fince we had been fettled in this
province of Pennsylvania^ we were prelerved from the
hands of men; there having never been an enemy in
it, in a warlike way •, our dependance being on Pro
vidence, and our principle againft war, and againft'
fpilling of human blood by wars and fighting, ac
cording to the doctrine of Chrift, the peaceable Savi
our •, wherefore I believe the hand of God was mani-
fefted in preferving us in peace : yet I would not be
underftood to be againft t,he magiftrates exercifing
the power committed to them, according to juft law ;
but national wars, wo.ful experience teachethj are de-
ftructive to the peaceable religion of Jefus, to trade,
wealth, health and happinefs. Our dear Lord
preached peace to the people, and againft wars ; tel
ling his followers, That they muft love and pray for
their enemies, and rather take a ftroke or a blow,
than give one; and that they fliould not refift evil ;
which peaceable doctrine of Chrift, the Jews could,
not away with ; no, no, by no means ; Oh, fay they,
If we let this man alone, the Romans will come and
take away our place and nation •, juft as the people
now fay in this province, among and to thofe peace
able men, who for the fake of Chrift and his doc
trine, cannot ufe the fword ; the Romans will come
and take our country, if we do not build forts and
caftles, and have military preparations : and I wifh
It were not true, that fome, who profefs this peace
able principle, too much endeavour to fmother, ftifle
and keep under, this peaceable doctrine, through a
flavifh fear, and too much diftrufting of the divine
Providence, which may caufe the divine Hand to
deliver us to the Romans indeed; at which I fhould
wonder, fince. we diftruft that divine. Hand that

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 325

hath hitherto preferved us, without our preparing
for war, above thefe fifty years. To which I know
that it is objeded ; but now there are abundance of
people .who are not of that principle. I anfwer,
Then why did they come among us, if they could
not truft themfelves with our principles, which they
knew, or might have known, if they wo'uld ? the
king gave the province, and the government of it,
to our worthy proprietor, William Penn, who was a
man of this peaceable principle, for which the Hea
thens loved him, and honour his name and memory
to this day, and thofe of his fociety and principles,
whereof I am a living witnefs. The fenfe of the
fweetnefs and focial life that the firft fettlers of the
province of Pennfylvania and the city of Philadelphia
lived in, makes me exprefs myfelf in this manner.
Oh ! that the inhabitants of the city and country,
did but live and dwell in that firft love, and hold
it faft; and then I believe that the Almighty would
not fufFer any to take our crown ; which crown is
righteoufnefs, peace and love, through true faith ;
which true faith works by love in Chrifl Jefus.

On the laft day of the fifth month, I acquainted
my Friends of the monthly-meeting of Philadelphia,
with a concern I had been fome time under, to vifit
the people in the Virgin- I/lands, and more particular
ly in AnguiUa and Tortpla, in order to preach the
gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift freely, to thofe who
might have a defire to hear, as the Lord fhould be
pleafed to open my way: and my Friends having
unity with me therein, at their next meeting gave
me a certificate of their concurrence : foon after
which, having fettled my affairs, and taken leave of
my dear wife and daughter, and the reft of my fa
mily and friends, on the i9th day of the feventk
month, I embarked at Philadelphia, in the (loop jta&»,
Peter Blunder ', mafter, bound for theiQandofSV/c/tf.

X 3 We

326 THE JOURNAL OF

We failed down the river, and came to an anchor
near Chr ift in e~ Creek that night, in which there was a
violent ftorm, which drove feveral veffels on the
rnarflies, fo that when the tide ebbed, one might
\yalk round them. Next day we failed to Reedy-
I/land, where we waited for a fair wind. We failed
down the bay, in company with two (loops, one
bound for Bermudas, the other for the ifland of
Chriftopber*s, and left the Capes on the 23d day of
the month, and in j8 days from that time^ fell in
•with the ifland of Thomas j and in one day more turn
ed up to Tor tola.

In this voyage we faw nine fail of vefTels, but
fpoke with none of them : had a rough pafTage, the
wind being high and contrary above a week, and
much rain 5 yet, through the mercy and grace of
God, I was preferved above all fear, except the holy
fear of the living Lord, in which I bleiTed his holy
name.

On the 1 2th day of the eighth month, Join Pick-
ering, the owner of the (loop, who was likewife go
vernor of the ifland, with his fpoufe, met me at the
waterfide, and lovingly embraced me, and led me up
to their houfe, and the fame evening, had a meeting
at his houfe; and on the i5th of the month, being
the fifth-day of the week, we had a large fatisfaclory
meeting, at which were many people, divers of them
not of our profeflion, and I think, the good hand of
the Lord was with us. I was concerned in this
meeting to iliew, that the laft difpenfation of God to
mankind, in and through his dear Son, was a fpiri-
tual difpenfation ; a difpenfation of pure divine love,
which is to laft and be with the true believers in
Chrift for ever, according to his own doctrine in the
New Teftament.

On the firft-day of the week, and the i8th of the
month, we had another meeting larger than the for-
?ner (and the governor told me, he had never feen fo

large

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 327

large a gathering on the ifland, on any occafion) my
fpirit was much fee at liberty in this meeting, and

Ereat opennefs and brokennefs was among the people,
) that the gofpel was freely and largely declared to
them. The cafe of Cornelius, and of the apoftle
Peter going to his houfe, was treated of, with divers
other matters, tending to edification. I was fo af
fected with the power, fpirit, and grace of our Lord
Jefus Chrift, that, when the meeting was over, I
withdrew, and, in private, poured out my foul before
the Lord, and begged than he would be pleafed to
manifeft his power and glorious gofpel more and
more. Ac this meeting there was a woman who had
fuffered much for her going to meetings -y her huf-
band being a proud, haughty man, had beat her to
the drawing of blood ; he alfo drew his fword, and
prefented his piftol, with threatenings to kill her;
but fhe thanked God, that fhe was refigned to lofe
her life for Chrift's fake : this woman exprefied
fome words in fupplication in this meeting, in a bro
ken manner. There was alfo another, a beautiful
young woman, whofe father had turned her out of
doors for coming to Friends meetings.

I went, with the governor and his wife, to vifit a
few families up in the mountains, and had a meet
ing, in which was great brokennefs and tendernefs
in the time of prayer.

Qn fecond-day we vifited feveral families in the
divifion called the Road, to which we went by water
in a coble, fomewhat like our canoes \ there were
four of thefe in company, five perfons in two of
them, and feven in the other two. In this vifiting
of families, the people came and filled the rooms,
and we had feafonable meetings, in which the people
were fo loving, and well affected, that we could fel-
dom go in a friendly way to vifit our Friends, but
they would prefently fill their little rooms, and we

X 4 fcarcely

328 THE JOURNAL OF

fcarcely could depart, without having a time of wor-
jhip.

Next day we went to vifit a young man's habita
tion, who had not yet finifhed his houfe, and the
neighbours coming in, as ufual, we had a good
meeting.

I cannot but note, that the hand of the Lord God
was with us, and I felt his vifitation as frefli and
lively as ever, for which I was truly thankful, and
thought, if I never faw my habitation again, I was
fatisfied in this gofpel call, and religions vifit ;
though, being in years, it was fometimes a little
troublefome to the flefh, being in the 66th year of
my age, and (tiffin my limbs from hurts with many
falls and bruifes ; but, as to my health, I had it bet
ter now, than for feveral years paft ; for which I am
humbly thankful to him, in whom we live and have
our being; glory to his name, through his dear
Son.

Third-day and fourth-day, vifited feveral families,
and had divers good opportunities; in one of thofe
meetings, a young man, named Jeremiah Martin,
fpoke a few words in prayer ; in which feafon, we
were, I think, all broken into tendernefs, fo that in
truth we might fay, that the power and Spirit of
Chriil was with and among us, and his great name
was praifed.

Fifth-day, being the week-day-meeting, it was
larger than was ever known of a week-day at that
place, there being divers Friends who came from an
ifland called Jos. Van dike's, and many neighbours
and fober people, who were very attentive.

Sixth-day, was at feveral peoples houfes, and had
religious meetings, which we could not well avoid,
the people were fo loving and defirous to hear what
might be fpoken to them, they being many of them
like thirfty ground, wanting rain, and our good and

gracious

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 329

gracious Lord gave us celeftial fhowers, which were
refrefhing to us, and thankfully received.

Seventh-day, I went, with feveral Friends, to the
houfe of one, who, with his wife, had been at our
meeting on fifth day •, he kindly invited me to his
houfe ; his name was Blake, he and his wife were
loving; though he had formerly wrote againfb
Friends, he was now better informed. From his
houfe I went to fownfend Bijhop's, and there being
many Friends there from another ifland, we had a
mod comfortable, tender evening-meeting, in which
we offered up an evening facrifice of high praifes and
thankfgiving to the holy name of the living eternal
God, and his dear Son our Lord and Saviour Jefus
Chrift, through the influence of the holy Spirit, one
God over all, blefTed for ever. And,

On the firft-day of the week, being the 25th of
the month, we had a larger meeting than ordinary;
and, in expectation of larger meetings than ufual,
the governor, John Pickering, had made feveral new
forms to accommodate the people at his own houfe,
which he ferit fix miles on mens heads, the roads
not being paifable for carriage by carts, &c. This
I think worth noting, that their zeal may be had in
remembrance, and that others may be ftirred up to a
more religious concern, who will fcarce go fix fleps
to a religious meeting, or will not go at all. In this
meeting I was concerned to fpeak of, and fet forth
the doctrine of Chrift;, which he preached on 'the
Mount, contained in the 5th, 6th, and yth chapters
of Matthew ; and toprefs the people to come to the
practice of what is there commanded by the great
Author of the Chriflian religion; and to fhew that
the defpifed Quakers had learned out of that excel
lent ferrnon, much of their religion, which difpleafes
many people, and divers of the great men of the
world ; and to urge them to regard the Grace of
God, which bringeth falvation, and hath appeared to

all

330 THE JOURNAL OF

all men. In this meeting Dorcas, the wife of John
Pickering, fpoke to the people in publick teftimony,
to which they gave good attention.

After meeting we returned by water from the
Road harbour, to Fat-Hog-Bay, where Join Pickering
Jives, being upwards of twenty of us in company, in
three cobles.

Thefe two weeks I fpent in the ifland of Tortola,
to my great fatisfaclion.

The journal of this worthy Friend ending here, the
following fupplement is colle&ed from fome notes
fent by a Friend of that ifland, giving an account
of his further fervices, fickneis, and death.

THE SUPPLEMENT.

ON the fecond-day of the third week of his be
ing among us, he vifited fome Friends in the
neighbourhood, and likewiie the man who had treat
ed his wife fo cruelly for coming to Friends meet
ings.

On third-day, he was employed chiefly in writing
to his family and friends in Philadelphia.

On fourth-day fome Friends from the Road came
to fee him, which prevented his going out to vifit
the neighbours as ufual.

On fifth-day morning, being the 29th of the
eighth month, he found himfelf much indifpofed$
yet he went to our week-day-meeting, about a quar
ter of a mile. When the meeting broke up, he had
a hot fever on him : Doctor TurnbuU^ the chief phy-
fician in our ifland, thought it proper to take fome
blood from him, and he being very willing, it was

done

THOMAS CHALKLEY. 331

done that afternoon, and the fever abated fome time
that night, and the next day he walked about, and
made no complaint until about eight o'clock in the
evening, about which time the fever returned, and
continued very fevere until firil-day morning ; when
the doctor advifed him to take a vomit, which he
declined that day, being defirous of attending the
meeting, which was held at rny houfe, and was a
large, fweet and tender meeting; in which he fpoke
to us firft concerning temptations, and how Chrift
was tempted, and how to withftand them ; and af
terwards on the parable of the great fupper, and
other fubjects; ending his teftimony with the words
of the apoitle Paul> " 1 have fought a good fight, I
" have finifhed my courfe, I have kept the faith,
cc henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
<e righreoufnefs :" which words, and moil part of
this lad fermon, was delivered in great brokennefs;
from whence I judged that he was fenfible that he
had not long to live, though, I believe, he was not
afraid to die.

On fecond-day morning the fever abated a little,
and he complied with the doctor's prefcription of
taking a vomit, which feemed to have its proper ef
fect; but that night the fever returned, and continu
ed on him until he died, which was between two
and three o'clock on fourth-day morning, the fourth
day of the ninth month, being fpeechlefs about
feven hours before.

A general invitation was given to Friends and
others, to his funeral, where three teftimonies were
borne, all in great brokennefs, under a juft fenfe of
our great lofs. After which lie was decently inter
red on the evening of the fame day, in a piece of
ground which is fince given to Friends for a burial
place, and on which a meeting-houle is built, by
John Pickering the governor of the ifiand at than
time.

Ic

THE JOURNAL OF

It is faid in the Scriptures, That the righteous
are taken away, and no man layeth it to heart; but,
I hope, it may be truly faid, this was not the cafe at
this time, for Friends in general, much lamented
their great lofs, in being fo foon deprived of fo in-
ilructive a Friend and elder, whofe care over us was
very great ; and who, by his loving and exemplary
life, and tendernefs to people of all ranks and pro-
fefiions, engaged the love and refpect of moft of the
people in the ifland. We are fully affured, that his
labour among us was not in vain, and that many
have felt the good effects of it ; fo that we believe
fome of the laft words he exprefled in publick, may
juftly be applied to him, and that he now enjoys a
crown of righteoufnefs.

THE

THE

WORKS

OF THAT

ANCIENT, FAITHFUL SERVANT OF
JESUS CHRIST,

THOMAS CHALKLEY,

Who departed this Life in the ISLAND of TORTOLA,
the Fourth Day of the Ninth Month, 1741 :

CONTAINING

His EPISTLES and other WRITINGS.

Blejfed is the Man that walketh notin the Counfel of the Ungodly,
norjlandeth in the Way of Sinners, nor fittcth in the Seat of
the Scornful: But his Delight is in the Law of the Lord, and
in his Law doth he meditate loth Day and Night, Pfalm i.

I, 2,

PRINTED AND SOLD BY JAMES PHILLIPS, QEORGE YARD*

LOMBARD STREET,

M DCC XC1,

( 335 )

GOD'S f

GREAT LOVE

UNTO

MANKIND,

THROUGH

JESUS C H R I S T our LORD.

And there came a Voice out of the Cloud, faying, This (1. e. Chrift)
is my belwed Son, hear ye him, Luke ix. 35.

Jf ye love me^ keep my Commandments, John xiv. 15.

For God fo loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Sony
that whofoever believed in him, might not perift>, but have ever-
lajllng Life, Johniii. 16.

PREFACE TO THE READER.

IN fincerity and unfeigned love, both to God and'
man, were thefe lines penned : I defire thee to
pei nfe them in the fame love, and then, peradven-
ture, thou mayefifindfome fweetnefs in them. Ex-
pe6t not learned phraies, or florid expreffions ; for
many times heavenly matter is hid in mean fenten-
ces, or wrapped up in plain expreffions. It fome-
times pleaies God to reveal the myfteries of his

kingdom,

336 PREFACE.

kingdom, through the grace of his Son our Lord
Jefus Chrift, to babes and fucklings, and he often
times ordains praifes out of their mouths -, one of
which, reader, I defire thou may be.

My intent in writing thefe fheets is, that they,
through the help of God's grace and the good fpirit
of Chrift, may ftir up true love in thee ; firfl, to God
and Chriil, and then to man : then thou wilt be fit
to be efpoufed to him who is altogether lovely (that
is, Chrifl) which is the defire of him that is thy
friend, more in heart than word,

T. CHALK LEY.

HAVING been concerned for the good and
welfare of the children of men in my youthful
days, and tailed of the infinite love of God, in and
through his dear Son the holy Lamb Jefus, who laid
down his life for the fins of the world ; and, in my
tender years reaped great benefit, through faith in,
and obedience unto him : for truly I have found, by
fufficient experience, that one without the other, to
wit, faith without works, will not anfwer the end of
the great love of Chrifb Jefus our Lord, in that he
offered himfelf a facrifice for all mankind; not for
people to live in fin, but to take away the fin of the
world : in a word, ct Faith without works is dead,"
James ii. 20. For my part I found it fo, and fo mufl
all true believers in the Son of God.

Chrift he firft loved us, and paid that debt for us,
that of ourfelves we were not able to do. Oh his
infinite love ! it hath oftentimes melted my foul in
to tendernefs. Methinks it is abundance of pity,
that ever the fons of men friould requite evil for
good, or difobedience for fuch gracious obedience :

I would

Got>'s GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND, &c. 337

1 would to God, that all believers in Chrift would
live in that fear of God, and that love to Chrift, that
keepeth the heart clean ; becaufe nothing unclean
can enter the kingdom of heaven. I do not mean a
flavifh fear, but fear that is wrought by love : for
them that love the Lord, the great, everlafting God,
will fear to offend him-

This is the matter that chiefly beareth ftrefs on my
mind at this time -, the necefllty of love to God and
Chrift, and one another: cc Eye hath not feen, nor
*c ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of
" man, to conceive the things that God hath prepar-
tc ed for them that love him," i Cor. ii. 9. For my
part I cannot pretend to tell thee, O man ! to the
full ; but only a little to hint at it : it is joy un-
fpeakable, and full of glory : but then we muft love
him, ib as to keep his commandments. This is the
work that I am very earned in preffing people to,
whether youth or aged : it is not too loon for the
young, neither too late for the aged, to begin this
work of obedience, through faith and love to God
and Chrift, if his Spirit is reproving or driving in
them. But it is more honourable and acceptable,
for a man to give up the ftrength of his days toferve
the Lord, and to remember his Creator in the days
of his youth, before fin is too much rooted and grown
in man •, for then it will be much more labour to
get the root of unrighteoufnefs plucked up.

So that in that ability which God hath given me,
I would endeavour to ftir up all to ferve him, and to
be in good earned, and not to put the day of God,
even the mighty Jehovah, afar off; but to love the
Lord unfeignedly, and with true obedience -, fince it
is that facrifice that is only acceptable to God -, that
is to fay, To love him in deed and in truth, more
than in word, and with tongue : for againft fuch a
people, the Lord, by his fervant, complained in old
time ; <e They (faith the Lord) draw nigh to me with

Y their

GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND.

" their months, and with their lips do honour me :"
but, oh ! their great mifery was, their hearts were far
from him ; they did not love him with their whole
hearts j that was their great fault : this thing is
alfo a great evil in the fight of the great God in this
our age, and it is too frequent in England, the land
of rny nativity, as alfo in other iflands, and places
beyond the feas. What lamentation fhall be taken
up for fuch as do fo mock the Lord, the great God of
love ? Surely he will render vengeance, as in flames
of fire, upon all the wicked and ungodly, and thofe
that forget him. It is not by faying, but by doing,
that we are juilified through faith in Chrift : not he
that faith, Lord, Lord, only 5 but he that doth his
will alfo, fhali enter the kingdom.

Now the will of God, and Chrift his Son, is, That
\ve Ihould love him above all; and in loving him,
we fhall love one another ; for Chrift faw the great
need there was of loving God above all, and alfo of
loving one another; therefore he anfwered thus to
him that a Iked him, Which was the greateft com
mandment. " Thou (halt love the Lord thy God
<c with all thy heart, and with all thy foul, and with
<c all thy mind," Mat. xxii. 37.

" This," fays Chrift, " is the firft and great com-
<c mandment; and thefecond is like unto it, Thou
*c fhalt love thy neighbour asthyfelf: on thefe two
<c commandments hang all the law and the pro-
? phets," verfes 38, 39, and 40.

Now if thefe two great commandments were obey
ed, it would anfwer God's great love to us, in fending
his Son to blefs us. Oh ! the glory of God, how it
would fhine ! it would make the young men as vali
ants of Ifraelt and the old men as captains of thou-
fands ; then Chrift would reign glorioufly indeed, in
the hearts of the children of men ; here the Lamb
and his followers (that walk in the light, and that
commajidment, thai burns as a lamp) would get the

victory

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 339

victory over the Devil and his followers : but, on
the contrary, this is the great error of mankind, they
talk of God and Chrift in words, but deny him
in works : nay, ibme will not (lick to fay, It is im-
pofOble to keep the commands of Chrift. It is too
commonly fpoken, and alfo believed, that there is
no perfection on this fide the grave, contrary to the
faying of Chrift, " Be ye perfect, even as your Fa-
<c ther/which is in heaven, is perfect," Mat. v. 48.
Yet, fay they, it is impoffible; which is as much as
to fay, Chrift is a hard Matter, in commanding what
cannot be done, confequently, out of their own
mouths they will be condemned ; for Chrift is not a
hard Mafter, I teftify againft all fuch unholy and
imperfect believers, in folid fear before the Lord ;
but according to fuch people's faith and belief, he
muft needs be hard. Oh that people would but fo
love God, and his dear Son, as to ftrive to do his
commands ; for it is impoflible they fhould obey, if
they do neither believe nor endeavour : but let fuchi
know, that many fhall ftrive, and ihall not enter;
much lefs, enter, if they do not ftrive : but we muft,
of neceffity, ftrive, in obedience to his will, and by
his affiftance (not in our own natural will) to enter
in at the ftrait gate : man would enter in with all his
pleafant things, and in all his bravery and gallantry ;
but God's will iss that he fhould be brought low,
that he might exalt him. Oh! this felf, it is a great
enemy to mankind.

My intention is to awaken people out of the
deep of fin, which is death; and to ftir them up to
righteoufnefs, and love to the Lord, and their neigh
bour, even with their whole heart : this is what my
heart breathes to, and fupplicates the Lord of hea
ven for: then would the end of my labour, in his
love, beanfwered; for great is the love of God in,
fending his Son, and alib in fending his iervancs,
and ftirring them up to roufe people OUL of the fleep

Y 2 of

34-O GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

of fecnrity, that they might fee the danger they are
in, and how near they lie to the brink of the pit of
burning. Oh! that people would but ferioufly con-
fider that which is fhewed and told them in the love of
the Lord. Oh ! that it might be laid to heart. How
ever, whether they will hear or forbear, God will be
clear, and his fervants alfo will be clear. But if we
not only hear, but alfo obey, that peace which paf-
feth the underftanding of men (that our Lord giveth
to his followers) will be our portion, and the lot of
our inheritance for ever: but this is on condition of
obedience, and keeping the commands of God : " If
*c ye love me, keep my commandments," Jobmtiv.
15. faith the Lord. So, if people live in faying, and
not in doing, in profefling and conftfilng, yet ftill
living in pride and high-mindednefs, and in fin, it is
apparent they do not love Chrift Jefus, according to
his own words, neither doth he juftify them ; it is
only the doers that he will juftify. The apoftle John
fays, " If a man fays, he loves God, and yet hateth
" his brother, he is a liar," i John iv. 20. and by
plain Scripture teftimony, fuch are not of God :
moreover, if he fays, he loves Chrift, yet doth not
his fay ings, he is alfo a liar, and the truth is not in
him, or Chrift is not in him ; who faid, I am the
truth ; and thus man becomes reprobated -, for Paul,
-writing to the brethren, faith, <c Examine yourfelves,
<c whether you be in the faith, prove your ownfelves ;
Cf know ye not your ownfelves, how that Jefus Chrift
<e is in you, except ye be reprobates," 2 Cor. xiii. 5.
Which indwelling of Chrift is a great myftery to
many; although Chrift within, which the apoftles
preached, was the hope of the faints glory, Col. i. 27.
And, oh ! how earned was Chrift in prayer to his
Father, that his followers may be one in him, and
that they might be united together in one, Johnxvn.
Such was the love of Chrift to his church ; now, what
remains on the church's part, fince Chrift has done

his

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 34!

his part, furely it is, that we love him again ; for,
faith John, tc He that loveth not, knoweth not God ;
cc for God is love," i John iv. 8. They that dwell
in enmity, are not of the children of God, but the
children of Satan ; who always hated the appearance
of Chrift, the light of the world, and yet ftirreth up
thofe that are led by his dark fpirit, to war againft
him, and his feed in his children, who faid, I am the
light of the world.

But indeed it is as Chrift hath faid, Men love
darknefs rather than light; and how flrange is it,
feeing the one is fo glorious, and the other fo mife-
rable ? but the reafon is, as Chrift hath fhewed, be-
caufe their deeds are evil, John iii. 19. That is in
deed the very caufe ; for if their deeds were good,
they would love the light which is Chrift Jefus, the
Lord of Life and Glory, and bring their deeds to
him, that he might judge them, who will give righ
teous judgment to every man according to his works,
John v. 29. The righteous will have their portion
in the refurredtion of life, joy and peace in the holy
Ghoftj but the wicked, in the refurrection of dam
nation. Oh ! that I might be inftrumental, in the
hand of the Lord, to open the eyes of fome that are
fpiritually blind, that they might fee the fplendor,
the beauty, and the great glory of the dear Son of
God, that moft excellent light which God hath pre
pared, according to good old Simeon's teftimony of
him, <c Thou haft," fays he, cc prepared him a light
" to enlighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of
" thy people Ifrael^ Luke iii. 32. A glorious
light indeed ! Truly, methinks every body fhould
be in love with him : for my part, he is my chiefeft
joy : I would not part with him for all the pomp
and vain glory of the world -, neither would I have
the fhining beams and glorious rays (which comfort
me for well-doing, and reprove me for, and difcover,,
the contrary) clouded from my fight and underftand-

Y 3 ing*

342 GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

ing, for the fineft gold or choicefl rubies ; fuch is my
love to Chrift, the Bridegroom of fouls : but, by the
way, it hath coil me many a tear, and many groan-
ings in my fpirit, before 1 came thus to enjoy Chrift,
\vho is the beloved of all the redeemed. Oh ! may I
never give him caufe to withdraw himfelf from dwel
ling in me. Oh ! the univerfal love of Chrift ; it is
everlafting to them that are open-hearted unto him,
and to all that will hear his voice, fo as to obey it ; for,
fays he, " I Hand at the door and knock," that is, the
door of the heart of man, " if any man hear my voice,
£C and open the door, I will come into him, and will
<c fup with him, and he with me," Rev. iii. 20. And
John fays, " And we have known and believed the
<c love that Gcd hath to us : God is love, and he that
cc dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in
<c him," i John iv. 16. A heavenly habitation, and
glorious dwelling-place! Who would but endeavour
to dwell in love, and for fake enmity, that they might
attain unto fuch eternal happinefs, as to have their
abode with the Lord.

This fulfils the words of Chrift, cc For he dwel-
cc leth with you, and (hall be in you," Jcbnxiv. 17.
How was he to be in them ? A comforter for well
doing, that they might have the hope of glory, and
a reprover of fin, felf-righteoufnefs, and wrong judg
ment. Indeed it was the great love of God, in thus
fending his beloved Son a light into this dark world,
to fhew people their evil deeds, and to condemn
fin in the flefh ; for he is the finful world's condem
nation, as well as a Saviour and Juftifier of the righ
teous and holy believer. The Jews of old hated
him, and many of them did intend to darken his
bright and fnining light, but fome of the Jews be
lieved on him, and after they came truly to believe
on his name, fpread his golpel of truth and glad-
tidings amongft the children of men, and alfo fuffer-
ed for his name's fake. It is alfo faid, " He came
*< unto his own., and his own received him not, but

« as

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 343

" as many as received him, to them gave he power
tc to become the fons of God, even to them that be-
" lieve on his name," John i. n, 12. But what
fay fuch to him, as account themfelves fpiritual
Jews, feeing the apoftle tells us, " He is not a Jeiv
<c that is one outwardly," Rom. ii. 28. I mean
thofe that call themfelves by his name ; why many
of them trample upon his light and appearance, and
defpife the fpirit of his grace, which is a fwift wit-
nefs againfl evil, and lets men fee what is good, and
what is bad ; comforts for the one, and brings judg
ment and condemnation for the other. I can truly
fay, I would with my whole heart, that God did
dwell a comforter in all (or Chrift, or the holy Ghoft,
or holy Spirit, which are all one.) But this can
never be, while fin remains and has an evil root in
mankind ; " An evil tree cannot bring forth good
" fruit." By this we may know Chriftians from
Anti-Chriftians, and lovers of Chrift from them that
love him not; if we love him, we become fubjecls
to him, fubject to do his will. Oh ! it is a brave
ftation to be the fubjecls of the King of heaven, and
if we love him unfeignedly with all our might and
mind, and our neighbours (or them that are already
his fubjecls) as ourfelves, and with the fword of the
fpirit valiantly encounter with the Devil and Satan ;
Oh ! then (hall we be his fubjecls, and he will re
ceive us into his warfare, and through him we lhall
be victorious, for the Lamb and his followers will
have the victory. I would prefs people in love into
this warfare, having commifiion from my Mafterand
Lord, I mean fpiritual, by (hewing them what anxie
ty of foul, and diftrefs of mind they will procure to
themfelves, by living in enmity to the Lord, and
his faints. Oh my foul, I charge thee, with all thofe
that have any regard to the holy Jefus, obey the
commands of the Lord, and love his followers, or

'344 GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

thy neighbour as thyfelf. Let his univerfal Spirit
of Jove to all dwell in thee, oh my foul !

I would have all to caft down that which they
glory in (that is not right in his fight) at his foot-
itool, and do like the poor penitent woman, that lay
and wept at his feet, Luke vii. 38. She thought all
little enough to get into his favour. Chrift himfelf
alfo was meek and lowly, cc Learn of me," faid he,
Mat. xi. 29. All power in heaven and earth was
given unto him; "Take me," faid he, "for an
<c example," when he wafhed his fervants feet. Oh
he was meek and lowly indeed ; and feeing his love
was fo great to them, and is alfo to us, let us love
him again, not with feigned love, but with love that
may manifeft us to be his followers, and in this love
let us love one another -, for this intent our Lord
iflued forth his royal command, which is this, " A
cc new commandment give I unto you, that ye love
<c one another ; as I have loved you, that ye alfo
<c love one another : by this fhall all men know that
cc ye are my difciples, if ye have love for one ano-
*c ther," John xiii. 34, 35. Chrift's love was un
feigned to his difciples, nay, to all the world in ge
neral j for what greater love can there be, than for a
man to lay down his life for his friend -, and he not
only laid down his life for his friends, but for his
enemies alfo, Rom. v. 10. So that his love was
great and unfeigned : we ought with the fame love
to love him again, fmce that he loved us firft-, and
this cannot, be without obedience to his commands.
Thus undoubtedly we fhould, with true love, love
him, and one another. This love is exceeding pre
cious, it thinks no evil, and we may be fure, will not
do any willingly or knowingly. If a man feeth his
neighbour or brother in that which is not right, he
prayeth to the Lord to help him, and tenderly ad-
monifheth him ; yea, if having this love he wound-
cth, his wounds are faithful^ for " Faithful are the

^ wounds

THROUGH JES'US CHRIST. 345

<c wounds of a friend/7 Prov. xxv. 6. He that is
thus endued with love, is not hindered from reprov
ing his brother, but if there be a caufe, it rather ftirs
him up to be faithful therein, without refpect of per-
fons. Oh the love that is raifed in them that love
the Lord above all, it is great to the fons and daugh
ters of men -> it doth wonderful things \ it is valiant
for God; it overcomes its enemies: it is not over
come with evil, but it often overcomes evil with
good : it fmiteth fin in the gate (that is, in its firfl
appearance) before it be entered into man, ib as to
fubject him thereunto ; it gets victory over the de
vil, for he cannot ftand before God's love. I would
to God that people did but know the virtue of love
to Chrift, and one another in him, it would caufe
them, for the enjoyment thereof, to forfake all man
ner of enmity one againft another, and all things
elfe, how near or dear foever ; yea, though they were
as a right hand, or a right eye, they would be for-
faken for its fake, and for the fake of him that firft
loved us : and then we ihould ftrive, through the
ability of his grace (even the grace or fpirit which
he told Paul was fufficient for him) to love him a-
gain, and our neighbour as ourfelf ; but this curfed
felf is loved too much, and our neighbour too lit
tle.

Paul, the apoftle of Chrift, did not after his con-
verfion hate his neighbour, nor was he in enmity
with them -, indeed when he was Saul, he did op-
prels and injure his neareft neighbours and chiefeft
friends, for that blind zeal was part of that body
of fin and death that was upon him, and from
which, by the help of Chrift's grace, he was deli
vered, and came to love his enemies, and for their
good hazarded his life ; and for his love to Chrift
laid it down, as many holy martyrs have done fince
his time. Surely they had not much regard for
felf then ! Though it is a common expreffion now a

days,

546 GOD'S GREAT LOVJE TO MANKIND

days, Every man for himfelf, and God for us all ;
but if every one were for his neighbour or his bro
ther, as much as for himfelf, God would be the more
for us all. But this felf-love is in the fight of the
Lord an abomination, and the great, eternal God
abhors it : therefore were the fir ft and fecond com
mandments given forth.

If all people would obey thefe two command
ments, the whole law and the prophets, yea, and the
gofpel too, would be all obeyed.

But this felf is a great enemy unto mankind, and
doth very much hinder his eternal happinefs ; it fhut-
teth the ear from hearing the caufe of the widow
and fatherlefs, or of the needy, and drowns the cry
of the oppreffed ; to which we ought not only to lend
an ear, but alfo to adminifter relief, according to
their neceffity and our ability. But mankind is too
apt to defpife the bafe or low things of the world,
and to join with that which is pleafant to the eye,
and agreeable to the luftof the heart ; (like Dives the
rich glutton of old, who loved felf better than poor
Lazarus) but do not confider that which is lading,
and would do them good for ever. How fhall I ex-
prefs the excellent glory and eternal fweetnefs of this
love to the Lord and our neighbour ? Oh 1 how is
my foul grieved, and how doth my fpirit mourn be
fore the Lord, when I fee any walk contrary to the
commands of Chrift, or that are in enmity to the
truth, and in hatred one to another, even from my
tender years, ever fince God Almighty opened my
imderftanding, and made known to me him that is
true : and my cry hath been many times to him,
to keep and preferve me in his true love and fear
to the end of my days; in love both to him and
the brethren ; but more efpecially to thofe that do
his will, although there is univerfal love in my heart
to all. Chrift faid, " For whofoever fhall do the
" will of my Father which is in heaven, the fame is

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 347

« my brother, and frfter, and mother," Matt xii.
<o Therefore my love is more fingly unto thole.
The apoftle alfo thus writes concerning love to Shi
brethren; "We," fays he, "know that we have
« paired from death unto life }" how did they knoir
it? « becaufe we love the brethren : he that loveth
« 'not his brother, abideth in death," i John in. 14.
Are they then in death that arc in enmity wua the
brethren? affuredly they are, for this enmity is fin ;
« And the wages of fin is death," Rom. v.. 23. and
thofe that are therein, are dead while they live 1
vvilh, and heartily pray to the God and Fatner of Spi
rits, that from the mares of death his people may for
ever be preferved.

Now 1 would fliew people fome of the many fnares

of death and Satan.

Firft, Some oeople are too apt to judge one ano
ther, and to fpeak evil of things they know not,
except by report and fuppofuion, which too often
lets in enmity, and is not according to the mind of
Chrift, but is a fnare of the enemy of man s fa va-
tion. Surely if people were fenfible thereof they
would not fo hardly cenfure one anotner : for mde :d,
we ought to be well fatisfied before we give judg
ment, and then it ought to be in love, and not in
enmity. It is better to fuffer than to cenfure, or to
be nidged than to judge. « Judge not, that ye be
« not judged," Malt. vii. I. faid the judge of hea
ven and earth. But people are too much poflefled
with uncharitablenefs and revenge one towards ano
ther, and are not fo ready to forgive one anotner
their trefpafles, as the Almighty is to forgive them:
though to forgive one another their trefpafles be
every Chriftian's duty, and without which, we can
not juftly exped God to forgive us our trefpaffes,
as Chrift taught, Matt. vi. 14, if- ir

Secondly, Perfecution, for nghteoufnefs fake, allo
is another great branch of that corrupt tree which

GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

never did, and never will bring forth good fruit, but
mud be cut down by the axe of God's power, which
Is laid to the root of every corrupt tree, in order to
cut it down ; and the Lord will burn it with un
quenchable fire. It is the true church's lot to be
perfecuted, but fhe never perfecutes any ; for he that
is her High Prieft for ever, commanded quite the
contrary, viz. Love to enemies, and to do good
to them that hated them, and to pray for them that
defpitefully ufed and perfecuted them, Matt. v. 44,
They were alfo to rejoice, and to be exceeding glad,
when all manner of evil was fpoken falfly againft
them for (Thrift's fake, becaufe great fhould be their
reward in heaven ; and Chrift obferves, that fo they
perfecuted the prophets, Matt. v. n, 12.

Thirdly, Many are rebelling againft God, and do
ing defpite to the fpirit of grace in their own hearts,
and trefpafiing one againft another, not living in love,
but in enmity againft God and one another. The
judgment of man is terrible to the rebellious ; how
much more, if men rebel againft God our Saviour,
will his judgment be juft and dreadful, as he hath
not only power to kill the body, but can afterwards
caft the foul into hell I Oh ! that the fons and
daughters of men would but fear to offend him,
the King of eternal glory. Ifrad> of old, his own
peculiar people, did fear and tremble before him ;
even all their hoft, his prefence was fo dreadful,
Exod. xix. 1 8. And a noble king made a decree,
that men fhould fear and tremble before the living
God, Daniel vi. 26.

Oh ! that all would work out their falvation with
fear and trembling, according to Scripture tefti-
mony, Phil. ii. 12. I defire all people might thus
love the Lord, then fhould we fear exceedingly to
offend him : alfo if one man did truly love ano
ther very well, were the cafe thy own, thou wouldeft
very unwillingly offend him, whom thou loveft dear
ly 5

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 349

ly ; fo if we love Chrift in deed and in truth, then
-we fhould fear to offend him, and mull of neceffity
love one another alfo : fo lhall we fulfil the great
commands, that the whole law and the prophets
hang on.

Fourthly, I have alfo many times been grieved,
when I have heard curfing and fwearing, and the
Lord's name taken in vain, which many too much
abound in, by fea and land, and too little confider,
that God will not hold them guiltlefs, Exod. xx. 7.
I am fure this is far from obeying him. Oh ! the
deep fenfe of this great fin, it hath been, and is, of
great moment, and is a great concern on my mind :
vengeance from heaven is, and will be the portion of
all fuch, that thus violate the mind and will of God.
Judgment, judgment, is the lot and inheritance of
all the wicked, who remain and live in wickednefs.
Although the Lord is flow to anger, and of great lov-
ing-kindnefs, and his mercy endureth for ever to
them that truly repent of evil, and do that which is
good; yet he has alfo prepared weeping, wailing,
and gnafhing of teeth, for them that continually
live in fin. There is a poflibility of finning, until
there is no mercy nor grace for man ; witnefs the
words of God ; " My Spirit fhall not always ftrive
" with man, for that he alfo is flefh," Gen. vi. 3.
Butthofe that are willing to put the day of God afar
off, are ready to fay, Chrift is our advocate with the
Father; he maketh interceffion for our fins ; (very
well) but it is conditionally : it is, if thou wilt re
pent and fin no more. [Mark that well] repentance,
without finning no more, will not do, John viii. n.
Confeilion is very good, but forfaking is abundance
better : confeffion, without forfaking, will ftand in
little ftead in the day of account.

Fifthly, Alfo being drunk with wine, or with
ilrong drink ; drunkennefs is a great fin : firft
againit God, and fecondly, the abufe of God's mer
cies

35° GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

cies and good creatures. And by this frame of
drunkenncfs, men are often fitted for any bufmefs
that their inafter the Devil may call them to ; fo that
this great fin ought to be ftrictly watched againft.
Surely if men had any good defires in their hearts^
or any love to God, they would refrain from fuch
great wickednefs. I admire how people can expect
mercy from God, or the interceffion of Chrift, when
they are piercing his fides, and putting of him to
open fliame : for thofe that are finning againft him,
are piercing of him. How can fuch expect he will
intercede for them, when they have dealt fo ihame-
fully with him, and grieved him, and from time to
time difobeyed his voice ? now fuppofe a. man flood
condemned before a judge, and that at the judge's
right hand there fat one who had power in his hand,
and this poor condemned perfon hopes he will in
tercede for him; and yet this poor wretch has done
to him as before-mentioned, what grounds can
he have to hope for intercefiion, clemency, or lenity,
while he believes he can do no otherwife than fin
againft him all his days ? for my part, I think his
faith, hope and belief, is but vain ; without any
reafon or ground. But he that loveth Chrift Jefus,
the Lord of life and glory, fo as to keep his com
mandments, the Lord will love him, and intercede
for him, and make himfelf known unto him *, accord
ing to his words, which he fpake, " He that hath
" my commandments, and keeps them, he it is
" that loveth me, and he that loveth me, fhall be
cc loved of my Father; and I will love him, and
" manifeft.myfelf unto him," John xiv. 21.

Sixthly, Covetoufnefs, which is idolatry, is alfo
another great fnare of the enemy, and many are
caught therein. Jt is in vain for the covetous to
fay, he hath a fhare in the love of God ; for he hath
neither love to the Lord, nor to his neighbour. A
poor naked man might aik him long enough for re
lief,

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 351

lief, or for his coat, before he would give him his
hand to help, or coat either, or any manner of re
lief • although Chriil expredy commanded it, " Give
« to him that afketh,and from him that would bor-
« row, turn not thou away," Matt. v. 42. How
can any be fo hard-hearted, to fee his brother's, or
his neighbour's poverty, and not adminifter of his
ability to the needful's neceffity ? but fays the cove-
tous or miferable man, I have children, or a family
to take care of: but too often covetoufnefs brings a
curfe, and not a bleffing, upon family and children
alfo. Perhaps one that is covetous may fay, that
charity begins at home: but let him remember,
that if it doth begin there, the confequence mod
commonly is very bad, when it ends there. Every
Chriftian hath need to have charity, in his bread, in
a two-fold fenfe, or elfe there is no proper pretence
to Chriftianity ; in ihort, covetoufnefs is out of the
love either to God or man : all thofe, with abund
ance more, that I fhall forbear to mention, are emi
nent fnares of the Devil ; and Satan layeth them ac
cording to the propenfity of man and woman, and
fuits them with their nature. Oh ! I will warrant
thee he will colour them finely, and put a pleafant
glofs upon them, to betray thy foul, and keep it m
bondage for ever.

Seventhly, It is he that tells the murderer, that it
is better to live a merry life and (hort, than to take
pains and care all his life-time •, and the thief like-
wife, with the robber.

Eighthly, It is he alfo that tells the whoremong
ers and drunkards, that fo many people are in thefe
practices, becaufe it is natural for people to be fo
overcome: but he doth not tell them, that by nature
all are children of wrath, and that without this luft-
ful nature be overcome, there is no falvation, Epb.

"' 3* Ninthly,

352 GOD'S GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND

Ninthly, It is he that tells the fwearers, they are
fo ufed to it, that it is impoffible for them to leave
it off, He never bids them repent and foriake, that
they might find mercy with God and Chrift that
died for them ; but died not that they fhould live in
fin.

Tenthly, It is he that tells the covetous, it is good
to be faving, and not to fpend all his iubilance in
gluttony and pride-, no, he will bid him hate pride,
and that he fhould not give much alms, though rich
in this world; for the Devil will tell him, that it is
proud people do it only in ambition, and to be feen
of men; but he will not tell him, it is a fin to be
covetous : he alfo tells the proud, that they are
counted happy, and that pride is counted good for
the promoting the common-wealth, and that it is as
good to be out of the world, as our of the faihion ;
he tells them, that pride is neatnefs, and how many
pretty excufes he has, to keep people in pride, is ad
mirable ; he doth not tell them, that Chrift the Lord
was meek and lowly, and that they fhould take him
for an example. He, the Lord, did not come in
fplendor and glory, outwardly ; but plain in fpeech,
and alfo in apparel, wearing a coat without a feam,
being cloathed and adorned with the robes of righte-
oufnefs and love. This is my beloved ! may he be
thine alfo, gentle reader. Oh ! how lovely is he ?
he is the chiefeft of tens of thoufands. 1 intreat you,
oh ye children of men, both fons and daughters 1
Do not you offend Chrifl by difobeying of him,
the bridegroom of the righteous; but, I befeech
you, in his fweet and tender love, if you have of
fended him by finning againft him, oh ! for the
Lord's fake, and your own fouls fake, do fo no more,
but unfeignedly repent; and then, in his due time,
when he hath tried you, and found you faithful, he
will embrace you with the fweet embraces of his love,

- which

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 35J

which is better than wine, and far excels the love of
women.

Now if the poor creature did but love the Lord its
Maker, above all, and its fellow-creature as itfelf,
the enemy of mankind would be overcome, and we
made more than conquerors, through him that hath
loved us, even Chrift Jefus our Lord ; and man and
woman would fee all thefe abovefaid evil things to
be abominable, and perhaps manf more which I have
not mentioned, infomuch that felf would be abhor
red as in dud and afhes, and the Lord would be
loved and glorified above all, for which end he
created mankind : bur, certain it is, that this end
cannot be anfwered, nor the Lord fo loved, without
fin be forfaken and hated ; for the Devil is the author
of fin, and Chrift of righteoufnefs.

" I," fays Chrift, " am the way, the truth, and
cc the life," John xiv. 6. and again, John viii. n.
<c I am the Light of the world." Oh ! faith my foul,
in abundance of love and good-will unto the fons
and daughters of men, that they would but walk in
the way of truth, and the true light of the world,
then they would fee clearly the fnares of Satan ;
which that every one, even male and female (efpe-
cially thofe that profefs Chriftianity) might do, and
eicape the fame, is the very defire of my foul : even
fo prayeth him, that through the Spirit of Jefus
Chrift, and ability of his grace, labours for the fal-
vation qf mankind.

<T. CHALKLET.

FRUITS

( 354 )

' F R U ITS*'

O F

DIVINE MEDITATION

At SEA, in the Year 1699.

Bhjjcd is the Man that walketh not in the Counfel of the Un-
godly, nor Jlandeth in the JVciy of Sinners, nor fittcth in tie
Seat of the Scornful ; but his Delight is in the Law of the
Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate Day and
Pfalm i. I, 2.

Lay up for yourf elves Treafure in Heaven, Matt. vi. 20

I. TT is good for man, whofe breath is in his
J^ noflrils, to think upon his Maker as much as
in him lieth, both night and day :

2. Who is the Fountain of all mens happinefs,
and the Ocean of their blifs ; not only in this world,
but in that which is to come, even to all eternity.

3. How fweet is that meditation that is on the
fovereign Lord of heaven, and on the Prince of ever-
lalting Glory.

4. No earthly thing is to be compared with it;
all the glory, all the pomp and vanity of this fading
tranlitory world, is not comparable with it : divine
and inward contemplation upon God, is no lefs than
heaven upon earth to the foul.

5, This

FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA. 355

f 5. This mine eye hath feen; for which I humbly
bow before the great Lord of all, whofe goodnefs to
man cannot fully be fet forth, neither by the moft
excellent orator, nor with a ready writer's pen.

6. God delighteth in thofe that are intent in look
ing unto him ; and it is man's duty to look to him,
over all vifible things.

7. How profitable, and greatly advantageous it
is to the foul, to be inward with God. Oh ! it is
altogether admirable.

8. The unfpeakable treafures of life and of wif-
dom, are to be found in inward meditation and holy
contemplation on God.

9. When a man, in this fort, is delighting him-
felf with his Maker, and advifing with him, he can
want no good thing. In days of old God was, now
is, and ever will be, found by man in this inward
concern of the foul.

10. A man in this (late will always curb high
thoughts of felf, as being in the prefence of the Al
mighty ; for then he is truly fenfible of his prefence :
who is that will vaunt, or carry himfelf loftily, when
God is prefent, and he confiders it.

11. Indeed the prefence of the Almighty is every
where, but many have loft the fenfe thereof, for wane
of inward thoughts on God, and ftudious contem
plation on the King of heaven, whofe fovereignty is
fweet over the works of his hands.

12. He is full of grace, and full of truth, full of
mercy, and full of juftice: his law is light, and his
commands are as burning lamps \ in a word, he is
full of heavenly Majefly and divine power, fo that
no characters can fct forth the fulnefs of God.

13. Oh ! that man were rightly fenfible of thefe
things; it would caufe him, wich an humble heart,
to implore the Majefty of heaven for his favour, and
petition him for the aid and afliftance of his grace,
to do his holy and heavenly will.

Z 2 14. Mau

356 FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA.

14. Man would then fee his own weaknefs an^f
poverty, and how unable he is to do, or work, any
good thing of himfelf, without the help of the holy
Spirit :

15. Which gift, God through Chrift giveth to
that foul which is inward in its thoughts upon God;
whofe wifdom and power is paft finding out, unlefs
in this frame of mind the Lord reveals it.

16. But worldly thoughts, and vain cogitations,
hinder the mind from being with God, the fountain
of all good.

17. Evil works or words alfo flupify the mind,
and deaden the mod noble part of man, fo that flavifh
fear, inftead of that fear which is mixed with true
love and honour, is begotten in the heart.

1 8. All things of any evil tendency entertained
in the foul, are an obflrudtion to its duty to God.

19. Who would but lay up treafure in heaven,
that the heart might alfo be there ? And what trea
fure like that in heaven, or what place fo fit to lay it
in as this is ?

20. If a man did but, with confiderate thoughts,
weigh in his mind the fhortnefs and uncertainty of
time in this life, and the boundlefs ocean of eternity
with a life of blifs and glory, or clfe of woe and
mifery, that will never end.

21. Without his heart be harder than a flinty
rock, it would lead him into tendernefs, ferious
thoughts on the name of God, and into humiliation.

22. Chrift Jefus, the anointed of God, was found
greatly in humiliation; even he who faid, « Learn

f of me, and follow me, who am meek and low in
" heart." God calls for humility of all men. He
beholds the proud and fcornful afar off.

23. Every proud and exalted thought God will
bring to judgment, and likewife fuch words and
actions,

24, And

FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA. 357

24. And indeed, the thing afted or done muft
firft be conceived, or thought, before it be brought
forth 5 for out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth fpeaketh, and the man adteth.

25. Therefore to have the thoughts of the heart
on God, and to contemplate on heaven, and heavenly
things, is truly excellent.

26. And although this incumbent duty of man
is fo averfe to him, in his natural ftate, yet it is moft
eafy, fweet and pleafant to the foul, when the mind is
bent after, and fct on heavenly things.

27. And that which is ftill more admirable is,
that God is the alone comfort, joy, helper, leader
and conducter of fuch a foul.

28. But, oh ! the thoughts of man are too much
taken up with earthly and perifhing things, being
content with the fhadow or (hell of divine contem
plation, righteoufnefs, and true religion ; fo that too
few are earneftly feeking the fubftance thereof.

29. That the noble creature man, which God
hath made but a little lower than the angels, and
given him power over thofe creatures that are more
ignoble than himfelf, ihould fo degenerate from his
Maker, as to fix his thoughts on terreftrial things,
is admirable to heaven-born fouls, whofe God is the

" 30. Which way can the foul look or turn itfelf,
but that it muft needs fee the glory of the God of
heaven, unlefs the God of this world hath blinded
the eye of the mind ?

31. Look upwards, and we may behold the
brightnefs of his glory in the firmament, and the
workmanfhip of his hands in the fun, moon and
flars.

32. Or, if we look on the earth, or irr the lea, we
may fee his great wonders; and if, in fincerity we
behold the heavenly works of his hands with an eye

Z 3 of

358 FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA,

of faith, oh ! how can it do any lefs but draw deep
confiderations of the omnipotence of God ?

33. Thus beholding the works of God, and look
ing on his works of old, and the noble a6ts which he
hath done in former times, will raife holy defires to
be with him, and to be in his prefence, when time to
us in this world fhall be no more.

34. It will alfo beget a loving fear of the Lord in
the foul, left that it fhould offend him.

35. Such a foul will be inwardly concerned be
fore the Lord, and will feek him with unwearied
travail of fpirit.

36. After this manner will that foul cry to God,
in the fpirit of prayer and fupplication, that is travel
ling towards the city, whofe builder and maker is
God.

37. Lord, I am poor, do thou make me rich •, I
am needy, oh ! ftrengthen me, even me, oh my hea
venly father ! for I am the leaft of many : oh my
Saviour, have mercy upon me !

38. Thou feeft my weaknefs, and knoweft my
want, and how unable I am of myfelf to do thy
will ; give me grace or elfe I die? lave me by the
power and by the fpirit of thy Son, or elfe I perifh
for ever.

39. Lord, I believe; my faith is in thee, and in
the power of thine anointed, help mine unbelief, for
Jefus's fake, I humbly pray thee, oh thou great
Creator of the children of men !

40. Oh ! great, eternal God, thou knoweft my
fecret defires, and the private devotion of my heart.

41. My fighing and tears are after thee, oh thou
beloved of rny foul !

42. All the profit and pleafure that is in this
world is nothing, and lefs than nothing, in compari-
fon of thee, and the enjoyment of thy prefence, oh
thou Lord of life and glory.

43. Thou

FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA. 359

43. Thou great Creator of all things, from whom
all things have their being, fend forth the Spirit of
thy Son into my heart, whereby with acceptance I
may cry, Abba, Father.

44. Oh ! holy Father, Jet me feel thy power,
that I may be able to make war, in thy righteouf-
nefs, againft the enemy of my poor foul.

45. Great, eternal God, give me wifdom to walk
uprightly before thee, and before the children of
men : oh that my foul may leek after it for ever !

46. With which, oh Lord, fill my earthen vefTel,
for Jefus's fake, that I may be gentle and eafy to be
entreated to do thy will, fo that I may never rebel
againft thee.

47. Lord do not tarry long from me ; for if thou
hideft thy face, I arn troubled ; or when the curtain is
drawn between me and my Maker, then my fpirit
within me languifheth.

48. Therefore, O Lord, arife, and the thoughts
that are at enmity with thee lhall be fcattered from
my foul.

49. Then {hall my foul be a fit receptacle for
thee, and a temple thou doft delight to dwell in, oh
living God !

50. And, holy Father, as thou haft begotten thofe
thoughts and defires in my foul, fo do for many
more of the fons and daughters of men.

51. Such afoul, whofe thoughts and meditations
are on this wife, Almighty God never did and never
will reject, or caft ofF.

52. Heaven and earth may pafs away, but the
mercy and goodnefs of the Lord God of heaven and
earth will not pafs away from thofe that are thus in
wardly exercifed before him.

53. The holy men of God, and the faithful in
ages pad, bore teftinaony to thefe truths.

54. And there is tlw of God, in the fouls of the
faithful, that can fay Amea to the fame.

Z 4 S|. "I

360 FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA.

55. " I will never leave thee, norforfake thee/'
faith the Almighty, to and concerning thofe who
love him truly.

56. cc Fear not, worm Jacob, for I will be with
<c thee, faith the Lord ; if thou goeft through the
" fire, it fhall not kindle upon thee, and if thou
<c goeft through the water, it fhall not overwhelm
« thee."

A N

A N
EXHORTATION

T O

YOUTH AND OTHERS,

TO FOLLOW;

Being Part of a LETTER from T. CHALKLEY
to a Friend in Dublin.

LET the young man and maiden diligently read
the holy Scriptures; and whenever they come
to a pafTage that affects them, let them not only turn
down that leaf, but let them be fure that it hath
place in their hearts : and when they read of a good
man or woman, then let them earneftly pray, and
fervently cry to the Lord, the great God, and holy
Father of our dear Lord Jefus Chrift, and God of all
the righteous in all ages/ that he would pleafe to
make them like to thofe his dear children and fer-
vants. Oh ! that all young people might not forget
this great command of God, cc Honour thy parents,
" that thy days may be long upon the land which
cc the Lord thy God <nveth thee." How many ftubn
born youths hath the ora cut off in their prime,
and in the flower of their days? and on the other
hand, how hath the great Almighty blefTed, profper-
ed, preferved and honoured thole that have been
obedient to their parents, and honoured their parents

and

362 AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH.

and elders ? and let the young men and maidens
note this, That none truly honour their parents and
elders, but thofe who are pious and virtuous ; fuch
were Jojeph, Samuel, David, and Solomon-, as alfo king
Jofiaby who began to reign at eight years old. God
Almighty gives many a good fenfe of his grace at
that age, and thereabouts ; he ordaineth praife many
times out of the mouths of babes and fucklings.
Let the youth endeavour to follow thofe good and
great men ; and for their inftruction, I fhall give a
touch of the above five worthies.

Firft, In particular, beginning with Jofeph. His
father fent him to his brethren -, he went willingly,
though his brethren hated him ; and when it was in
his power to hurt them, he rendered them good for
their evil -, a good example for both young and
old. And when tempted to fin by his miftrefs in
Egypt, he faid, " How can I do this great wicked-
" nefs, and fin againft God ?" Who highly favour
ed him for his piety, virtue and chaftity.

Secondly, Samuel, for whom his mother prayed
earneftly to the Lord; and when he had given him
to her, fhe gave him to God again : a good pattern
for all mothers. When he was but a little lad, the
Almighty called him, and he thought it had been
Eli -, up he gets, and faid, c Thou calledil me ?*
* No/ faid the old man, c I did not call thee, lie
c down again/ He did not grumble, as many of
our youths do : the Lord called again ; he willingly
runs to Eli ; he did not love his bed fo much as obe
dience, and faid, ' Thou didft call me.' Eli obferv-
ing that God had fpoke to the child, faid to him,
when he calleth again, fay, " Speak Lord, for thy
" fervant heareth." Let old ones mind this, and
encourage their youth to anfwer the call of God
betimes : fo God calls again, and he anfwers,
" Speak Lord, for thy fervant heareth." The Lord
by his grace calls to little ones, many times in the

midft

AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH. 363

midft of their play, and fometimes in their beds :
oh ! that our youth may do and fay as little Samuel-,
that they may grow as he did, and be in favour with
God and man.

Thirdly, David, his father's youngeft fon, kept
his fheep, and in that innocent employ the Lord was
with him to admiration ; his father fent him to his
brethren : but Eliab, his eldefl brother, frowned
upon him and reviled him ; he only made this foft
reply, Is there not a caufe ? He overcame the great
Philiftine, in the name of the God of IJrael^ and
God highly exalted him for his uprightnefs, finceri-
ty and piety, which was very great: for notwith-
ftanding Saul would have killed him ; yet when
David had him in his power, he fpared him, info-
much that Saul wept, and faid, tc If a man find his
*c enemy, will he let him go ?" And there was lov
ing greetings between them : fo he overcame the
evil of Saul's heart, by the good that was in his ;
according to thofe holy exprefilons of the apoftle
Paul, Rom. xii. 21. cc Be not overcome of evil, but
" overcome evil with good." Words worthy to be
writ in letters of gold, and more worthy to be ob-
ferved and practifed.

Fourthly, Solomon, who afked of God wifdom, be
ing in his own eyes but as a little child, faid unto
the Lord, " Give unto thy fervant an underftanding
" heart ;" which requeft God granted him, and
gave him alfo riches and honour. Oh ! fee the be
nefit of pleafing God, young men and young
women.

Fifthly, Jojiah, a young prince and king: how
zealous was he for God's fervice and worfhip :
what a wonderful reformation he made in the land,
and how was he lamented at his death, as generally
all good zealous men and women are, either old or
young.

Having

364 AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH.

Having touched a little of the young men, let me
juft a little remember the young women alfo : as for
example, Ruth and Abigail, two difcreet young
women ; the firft very loving, kind and true to
Naomi i her mother-in-law; a good pattern for all
daughters-in-law : " Entreat me not," faid fhe,
" to leave thee ; for where thou goelt, I will go;
<e and where thou lodged, I will lodge ; and where
<c thou died, there will I be buried: thy people
cc fhall be my people, and thy God my God." The
Lord abundantly rewarded her for this godly refo-
lution. Boaz had a fenfe of her virtue and piety,
and faid, " All the city of my people doth know,
cc that thou art a virtuous woman." Which doubt-
lefs was a ftrong motive for him to love her; and
that love commonly lafts till death : whereas, where
money is a motive, it often happens that many evils
attend.

Alfo wife Abigail, her ingenious fpeech to David,
and contrivance to hinder him from fhedding blood,
which he was coming to do, thinking he had caufe,
but prevented by her wifdom : which, to be fure,
was a great motive to him to love her, after Natal' s
death, and to take her to wife. She was no proud
woman : " For," faid flie, " let thy handmaid fervc
€C to wafh the feet of the fervants of my Lord/*
Much might be faid, but I defign brevity.

As there are many good examples in holy Scrip
ture, whereby young people might be ftirred up to
virtue, fo alfo there are examples of the judgments
of God on difobedient, impious, vain and ungodly
men and women, even young and old. Oh! let our
youth conllder, I befeech them, wicked, difobedient
Abfalom, apd poor Dinah-, alfo the prince and the
Moabiti/Jo damfel, whom zealous Phineas flew ; for
God was angry, and is angry with the wicked every
day.

The

AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH. 365

The before-mentioned good men and women were
In^the time of the law; and let me add to them,
the holy pattern and good example of our great
Lord and blefled Mafter, who "loved righteoufnefs,
" and hated wickednefs, therefore he was highly
cc exalted, and anointed with the oil of gladnefs
cc above his fellows : he had the heathen given him
" for his inheritance, and the utmoft parts of the
" earth for his poiTeffion :" and, what is more, all,
power in heaven and earth.

Oh ! dear young men and maidens ! he is our
great pattern, whom we are, and ought, to take for
our example ; walking in all humility and reve
rence : " He," faith Chrift, " that will be my dif-
" ciple," that is, his fcholar, " mud take up his
" crofs, deny himfelf, and follow me.3' Oh blefTed
pattern I Oh glorious example ! let us follow him
whilft we have breath in this world ; it was always
well for them that followed him. What think ye,
oh young men and maidens ! had it not been well
for that rich young man, that he had left all and fol
lowed dear Jefus : be ye your own judges -s look on
your pattern, i. e. Chrift Jefus, when he was but
twelve years old, fee what he was doing ; forget not
that faying which his mother laid up in her heart,
<c Wift ye not that I muft be about my Father's
<c bufmefs r" Oh, dear youths ! it is good bufmefs,
I can fay through fome good experience ; let rne
tell you for your edification, I have ferved my Maf
ter, holy Jefus, and followed him feveral years ac
cording to the beft of my underftanding, and I have
always found him a good Mafter j his fervice is
fweet, and his work is delightful. 1 have a great
deal more to fay for my Lord and Mafter, but my
defign is brevity : " His yoke is eafy, and his bur-
" then is light." He hath faid it, and I have expe
rienced it. Wherefore I am the more free to invite
you to follow him, and be his fcholars. An emi
nent

AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH.

nent fervant and fcholar of his faid, <c Be ye fol-
fc lowers of me, even as I alfo am of Chrift." The
apoftle Paul exhorts Timothy, a young fcholar, and
his fon in the faith, to be a good example to others;
as alfo his fon Tilus. We are alfo told of four young
women who were propheteffes, and divers others , a
more particular account of whofe exemplary lives
and actions, are recorded in holy Scripture for our
learning ; unto which, with the grace of God in the
heart, I recommend all young men and women, and
conclude thefe fmall tokens of my very dear love
in Chrift, our holy Lord and Mafter, defiring the
above may be as fo many patterns for them to follow.

A LOVING

LOVING INVITATION

T O

YOUNG AND OLD,

In HOLLAND and elfewhere, to feek and love
ALMIGHTY GOD, and to prepare in Time for
their Eternal Welfare.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found^ and call ye upon
him while he is near^ Ifa, Iv. 6.

To THE READER.

HAVING from my childhood been a lover of
the Dutch, and that love being increafed by
travelling in Holland and Germany , it came weightily
on my mind to invite and perfnade this people (with
others, into whofe hands this may come, and efpe-
cially the youth) to love, ferve and fear the LORD,
the ALMIGHTY, the GREAT JEHOVAH, and that they
firft feek the kingdom of God, and his righteoufnefs,
as Chrift exhorts or commands, Mat. vi. 33. Thofe
ponderous and extraordinary expreffions, with the
large promife thereto annexed, are well worth the
due notice and weighty confideration of all, both
youth and aged ; but feem to be very apt to the
flate and condition of thofe that are juft entering
into the bufinefs and affairs of the world. Oh !

that

368 To THE READER.

that the youth had but faith in the blefled Lord
JESUS, and owned his pure doftrine, now in their
tender years; and in the prime of their days, " that
<c they would remember their Creator in the days of
" their youth, before the evil days come:" oh! that in
their blollbming and blooming fpring-time, they
might belike to lovely branches, arid growing trees
of righteoufnefs, bearing much fruit, much good fruit
of piety and virtue : ( c in which/' faith our holy Lord
Jelus thrift, " is your heavenly Father glorified.0
This is the real and hearty defire of my foul for the
youth of this and all generations, male and female,
yea, both young and old in all nations throughout the
world. The univerfal love of GOD flows and over
flows in my foul like a living dream at this time, as
alfo at many others, to all my fellow mortals : Oh
the great love of God in Chrifl Jefus, our great, holy
and good Father, Lord and Mailer, is wonderful to
mortals I whofe divine love is abundantly, and alfo
univerlally, filed abroad to all nations, through his
eternal Spirit and grace in the hearts of thefons and
daughters of men, in order to draw, lead and guide
men and women from earth to heaven.

Thus being defirous, according to my meafure,
to promote truth and righteoufnefs in the earth •, alfo
being fenfible of the love, mercy and goodnefs of
God in my very young and tender years, I am willing,
for the fake of well-inclined young men and women,
to fend forth into the world this loving invitation :
and am defirous, for the love I bear to the people of
the Dutch nation, that this might be tranilated into
the Dutch language ; hoping it may be beneficial to
fome well-inclined fouls, in order to ftir them up to
feek, ferve and love Almighty God. Amen.

So wifheth, and heartily prayeth, a friend to, and
lover of all mankind.

f. CHALKLET.

A Lo VI N O I N V it AT 1C N, &TC'i 369

IT is a thing truly excellent, for mortals to love^
ferve and fear him that made them, and gave unto
all, life and being: and. to begin this work betimes,
is very advantageous to the never dying foul. It
is alfo an indifpenfible duty, which is incumbent
upon everyone, male and female; and whoever is
found in the neglect thereof, will certainly have
caufe dearly to repent it, and unlefs they do repent
before they go hence and fee man no more, will be
miferable to all eternity. Which folid confideration
hath often been weighty on my mind, and I could
not be clear (as I thought) in the fight of God with
out laying of it before men and women.

Now, that we may fo do, confider truth com
mands us, reafon perfuades us, and example is very
powerful and inviting. Oh! that the children of
men would be wife to falvation, and embrace the
love of God in his dear and well-beloved Son our
Lord Jefus Chrift, who himfelf faid, " I am the way,
cc the truth, and the life." Oh ! furely here is a
three-fold cord, (i. e. truth, reafon and example)
which is not eafily broken! God Almighty grant, for
Chrift's fake, that by it fome poor ioul might be
drawn to him, even now in their tender years : To
day, to-day, if any will hear the voice of the
Lord, Oh ! let them not harden their hearts *
for that is provoking to him that made us. How
know we whether he, who made the heavens, will be
pleafed to give us another hour? How know we,
but that after this day, we may never open our eyes,
till we open them in eternity! Oh eternity, eternity,
that boundlefs ocean ! who can fathom thofe words,
" for ever and ever r" What will this world, and
all its glories and vanities fignify, or avail to poor
fouls, when fowling from fide to fide on a dying-bed ?

A a It

370 A LOVING INVITATION TO

It will therefore be well for both old and young
to note this:

Firft, The old, becaufe it is not likely they fliould
have many days, according to the courie of nature,
and a common proverb, i. e. c The young' (may
live, and they) c may die, but the old muft die.'

Secondly, The young, becaufe they know not
but that they may die to-morrow.

In the great and notable day of the moft High,
Oh ! then, then, heavenly things will be found fe-
rious and folid truths, and not toys and trifles, nor
indifferent things; when " He (hall come as in
<c flames of fire, to render vengeance" which is only
his <c upon all the workers of iniquity, and fhall
** come to judge the fecrets of men's hearts, by that
<f great man and juft judge the Lord Jefus Chrift."

Wherefore, let me prevail with fome poor fouls,
now in time to lay the truth to heart, and to be
found in the work of God in their day ; that fo for
their pains here, they may receive their penny here
after; and that enlivening, that quickening anfwer
of well-doing, may be their portion, and the lot,
the glorious lot, of their inheritance : " Come ye
" bleifcd ; well done, good and faithful fervant :
« enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Oh power
ful voice, and heart-ravifhing fentence ! Enough to
make one alive, though dead ; and exceeding joy
ful, though forrowful even to death. Oh! this di
vine favour and grace, wherewith the moft High
will favour thofe that love him, and faithfully ferve
him in this his great and notable day, will far ex
ceed the favour of kings and princes : for thofe that
get the latter, can only be happy (or fo accounted)
in this world, which is but momentary ; and thofe
who are living and fenfible witnefTes of the former,
are certainly happy, even in this world (although
men may not fee it) and likewife everlaftingly hap
py in that world which is to come. To be fenfible

of

YOUNG AND OlD. 371

t>F God's grace in the heart, and to follow the holy
teachings of it, is preferable to all things here be
low, it will make one more wife and more comely,
than all outward learning, beauty, or parts what
ever. God Almighty grant, I befeech him, that all
our young men, our rich men, our wife men, may
only glory in him, according to the language of the
Spirit in the holy fcriptures, " Let not the young
<c or ftrong man glory in his youth or ftrength, nor
tc the rich man in his riches, nor the wife man in
" his wifdom: but he that glories, let him glory in
" the Lord," or in this, " That he knows the Lord.'*
Let the wits of the age confider this well ; let the
boafter and difputer rightly note this, and he'll have
caufe to bow before heaven's Majefty : what be
comes of the young man and young woman's
ftrength and lovely beauty, when their heads are laid
in their cold grave ? What will become of, or of
what fervice will the riches of the rich man be to
him, when he {hall receive his fummons to his long
home ? May he not then fay, Oh ! that I had been
as induftrious to get heaven, and peace with my
Maker, as I have been to get this world. Let all
worldly-minded men and women remember the
wonderful expoftulation of Chrift Jefus with the
rich young man. This is not to hinder any in their
outward concerns : for the heart of a man may be in
heaven, though his hands may be in his employment*
And as to the wife man : pray what will become
of his great wit, his acquired parts, his nice and far
fetched arguments and criticifms, when pale faced
death {hall look him in the face, and ftrike him with,
his {harp arrows ? Then he'll find, that it had been
much better for him that he had lived well, although
he had not talked fo much, or fo well : To talk well
is good ; but to live well is better : To talk finely,
and live badly, is of little worth. Oh ! that the great
Mafter-workman of all may drive home his nail, ia
A a 2 the

372 A LOVING INVITATION TO

the heart of him whofe eye fhall look thereon, by
his mighty hammer, the hammer of his word, his
heart-breaking, heart-melting, and heart-piercing
word; according to the doctrine of the holy Spirit
in the holy Scriptures, fc Is not my word as a fire ?
cc Is not my word as a hammer? Is not my word as
« a (word?" ( i. e. ) to burn, to break, to cut down
all manner of fin: not todeftroy man, but fin in man.
Hear farther the language of the holy Spirit; " Say
cc not in thine heart, who fhall afcend up into hea-
cc ven, to fetch it down from above ? Or who fhall
" go down into the deep, or beyond the feas, to
" fetch it from thence ? But what faith it ? The
tc word is nigh thee, in thy heart, and in thy mouth,
cc that thou mayeft do it." This was, and is, and
ever will be, the doctrine of the gofpel : from which
people may perceive, that Chrilt Jefus is near to
them; near to fave, near to deliver, near to redeem.
The great Jehovah, the bleffed Jefus, the holy di
vine Spirit, is not only a God afar off, but alfo a
God near at hand, and a prefent and fure help in the
needful time. Oh ! bleifed be his name, for ever
and ever.

Now I appeal to the confciences of all men, whe
ther they have not, or do not fenfibly witnefs fome-
thing (of a contrary nature to fin and unrighteoufnefs)
to reprove them, and convince them of the evil of
their ways and doings, perhaps fometimes in the
rnidft of their vanity, in the fong, in the dance, or
in the game ; or fometimes after a debauch, or for
their pride, either in mind or apparel, for over
reaching, or covetoufnefs : all which (with all man
ner of evils) are of the Devil. And the king of
heaven is lifting up his holy and righteous Spirit as
a ftandard • againft it, and againft him who is the
author of it. Oh! let this his convincing grace
take place in thy heart, O mortal man ! for know
of a truth, it is the very grace of God to thy foul;

for

YOUNG A N b OL D.

375

for infallible proof of which (befides the experience
of the faithful) take thefe two texts of holy fcrip-
ture, (the doctrine of which will fland for ever, not-
withftanding all the oppofition of men) i. e. " I will
cc pray to the Father," fays Chrift, cc and he will
<f give you another Comforter, even the Spirit of
<c truth, that he may abide with you for ever; and
tc when he is come, he fhail convince the world of
€< fin." Again, (C The grace of God which brings
cc falvation, hath appeared unto all men, teaching
cc us, that denying ungodlinefs and worldly lufts, we
" fhould live foberly, righteoufly and godly in this
" prefent world." Why fhould the Almighty fhew
to men the evil of their ways ? Why don't he let
them run on in their vanities without controul? Oh
ye children of men! it is his meer grace, and his
rneer mercy to the precious, dear-bought, and never
dying fouls of poor mortal mankind, for he would
have none to perifh ; if any perifli, their deftruction
is of themfelves, but their help is of the Lord. Oh!
that people would be entreated and perfuaded,
through loving invitation, to follow the Lord fullyr
and do his work faithfully.

Now let me return a little to, and let my pen drop
fomewhat concerning that three-fold cord above-
mentioned. I again humbly beg of the Lord, the
great God and Father of Spirits, and of our dear1
Lord Jefus, that this may be inftrumental, in his
hand, to draw fome poor feeking, travelling foul,
from earth towards heaven ; the which, if it doth,
let the praifes alone be given to God, through his
well beloved Son.

Firft then: As to truth; I would hope few in this
generation, who profefs Chriftianity, need to fay,
* What is truth?' God Almighty, Chrift Jefus, the
holy Spirit, is that infinite, divine truth which will
endure for ever: and he hath faid, " Thou fhalt love
?c the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thjr,
A a 3 ^ mind

,374- A LOVING INVITATION TO

ce mind and ftrength." And indeed, he is an objecl
that is thereof richly worthy ; and this is his law
which is to endure for ever; and he which doth and
teacheth it, is to be called cc Great in the kingdom
<c of God;" and that it might not be forgotten, he
wrote it in flony tables : which law, Jacob's feed
broke and tranfgreffed. Wherefore, thus faith the
Lord, who fpoke it by the prophet, tc I will put my
" law in their inward parts, and write it in their
<c hearts:" Oh! there it is written in large charac
ters, very plain and legible, and eafy to be read of
mankind. And whereas Mofes, the man of God, was
an inftrument to promote the holy law outwardly,
\vritten on tables of ftone, among the children of
Ifrael; fo Chrift Jefus, in this gofpel-day, is pro
moting and proclaiming the power of this law, in
wardly engraven in men's hearts by God's finger,
throughout the whole world : this great law of love,
in which all the law and the prophets is contained,
Chrift not only lived in it, and declared it to mor
tals; but he alfo died in it, and for it, and for us
alfo, and fealed his holy, glorious teflimony and
doclrine with his moil precious blood : this is he of
whom the voice from the mod excellent glory faid,
*c This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
*c pleafed, hear ye him." This is he, of whom the
former lawgiver faid, u The Lord your God (hall
fc raife up a prophet from amongft your brethren,
Cf him (hall you hear in all things." This is he who
faid, u 1 am the way, the truth, and the life." This
is he that faid, " He dwelleth with you, and (hall
<c be in you :5> and again, " I ftand at the door and
<c knock, if any man will hear my voice, and open
<f the door, I will come in unto him." Oh ! me-
thinks his love is wonderful; he not only commands
obedience, but invites to ic. Oh ! who can be fo
hard-hearted and fo cruel to him, and themfelves
alfo, as to flight and refufe fuch heavenly divine of
fers

YOUNG AND OLD.

375

fcrs of infinite love, grace and mercy ? cc The Spirit
" and bride fays, Come ; and all that are a-thirft,
<c may come, and drink freely; and buy heavenly
cc milk, and rich wine, without money, or any na-
4C tural or outward price."

Secondly, Touching reafon : It is very reafonable,
that we fhould ferve and love God Almighty, in this
fpace of time that we have here in this world, and
work the works of piety and virtue ; for, and be-
caufe there is folid peace therein : here none can
make afraid, but the foul is calm and quiet, as being
anchored in a fafe harbour. Here no law can take
hold of us. If any fhould imagine, that there is no
future rewards or punifhment, which no mortal can
do without blufhing, or felf-condemnation, as I con
ceive; yet a life of holinefs is a much better life,
even for the body, for its health, and mod fweet re-
pofe, and pleafure that is folid, and not flafhy, and
its outward tranquility in every refpect; I appeal to
the reafoning wits of the age, whether the above be
not a great undeniable truth : befides, all true men
and women, in praclifing as above, have a living
hope and faith, through and in Chrift, of a glorious
reft to eternity, which is very reafonable to believe,
fmce undeniably Chrift wrought fuch wonderful
works and mighty miracles, which before were never
-wrought by man on earth : fo that thole muft needs
be felf-condemned too, that believe not in him, his
works and grace. There is no writ nor wit in the
whole world, that did, can, or ever will be able to
make void, or lay wafte the great, mighty, and mi
raculous works of truth, which were done by the
blefled Jefus. Mofes was a mighty man of God, and
highly favoured, and greatly beloved of him, and
did many mighty works-, yet Chrift exceeded him,
as alfo did his diipenfation. Mofes went through the
fea : Chrift went upon the fea. Mofes prayed for
bread from heaven, and it was givea in abundance :
A a 4 Chrift,

376 A LOVING INVITATION TO

Chrifty with a few fmall fifties and feven loaves, fed
many thoufands (which were unreafonable to expect,
but from a divine hand.) Mofes prayed for water
for the people : Chrift made wine, and admirable
wine too, even of water. Mofes preached the law
and judgment to Ifraelonly : but Chrift Jejus preach
ed grace, mercy, peace and truth, not only to Ifrael,
but alfo to all the world, through divine faith in
God, in and through repentance, and the work
of the Spirit. Oh ! is not here reafon and truth
pleading with, and perfuading poor creatures to
love, ferve and follow, reverence and fear their
Creator.

Whether the above matter be pleafant news to our
fprightly youths, I will not determine; but I am
pofitive, they will find it truth one day.

'Tis likely ibme fuch doctrine as this might better
pleafe the fparks of the age, and the jolly young
men and maidens up and down in the world, viz.
<c Rejoice, O young man," and young woman, "and
" let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth ;
«c follow the luft of thy heart, and the fight of thine
" eyes: but" let them remember, " that for all thefe
<c things God will bring them to judgment:" they
muft furely come to judgment: they will have it in
wardly and fecretly in their hearts here in this world,
notwithftanding they may endeavour to hide it from
men; but they cannot hide it from heaven, from
the all-feeing, heart-piercing eye of the holy One:
*c He who inhabits eternity, whofe dwelling is in
<c the light; and whole eye goes through the earth,
<c beholding the evil and the good :" likewife they
will have condemnation without end in the world
that is to come, Oh, let the youth and. aged feri-
oufiy confider of it !

And farther, let them call to mind, the great and
heavy judgments that have fallen upon the wicked
and ungodly mena many of which were foretold -by

the

YOUNG AND OLD.

377

the meflfengers of heaven, and came to pafs accord
ing to their fay ings, viz. The flood of waters, which
deftroyed the old world (which the very Indians in
America have a notable notion of, handed down to
them by the tradition of their fathers to this day) as
alfo the deftrudion of the land, and inhabitants of
Sodom and Gomorrah: and the thoufands of thoufands
that have been deftroyed in battles and fights; which
will ftill be, and continue to the world's end, xmlefs
people come into the love of God, which will teach
them to love one another; and into the faith and
doctrine of the Prince of peace, which is, 'c To do
<c unto all men, as we would have them do unto us,"
and to " do good for evil -," which to be fure is not
to deftroy. Likewife the deftrudion of Jerufalem,
and fcattering of the Jews, the feed of faithful Abra-
ham-, and divers diimal and terrible earthquakes,
which have happened in thefe. latter ages of the
world ; fome of the dreadful ruins of which mine
eyes have feen in my travels. Surely there is much
reafon to walk in reverence and holy fear, before the
great Lord of all. He who made the heavens and
the earth, the feas, and the fountains of water, and
hath given life and breath to all that move therein,
can take it from them at his pleafure in the twink
ling of an eye.

Oh! happy is that empire, kingdom, date, or
province-, (emperor, king, or governor-, family, or
particular perfon) whofe inhabitants live and dwell
in the holy fear of God, and in the felf-denying life
of Jefus: no greater happmefs or felicity than to be
one of thefe. Oh ! let my foul dwell here, and be
in unity and fellowfliip with all fuch for ever.

Now, as to the third and lafl part of the abovefaid
three-fold argument, viz. Example; which, as the
proverb fays, is above precept. Good example is
very taking with many, and oft happens to be very
affecting to the yo.unger fort more particularly ; for

they

A LOVING INVITATION TO

they look out much at others, and take great notice
of the words and conduct of their elders and fupe-
riors. Good Jacob was a good example to his great
family : he was a pious, affectionate father, a loving
hufband, a faithful fervant, and an obedient fon :
the hiftory of his life and travels in holy-fcripture
is affecting: Oh! how he fought God betimes ! how
humble, how lowly, as well as lovely, doth he be
have himfelf in his pilgrimage I his father and mo
ther called him and bid him go ; he does it, without
any replies to the contrary; not like fome of the
youth of this age. And on his way being benighted,
he lays himfelf down, his pillow was hard, but his
bed large, and the heavens were his curtain; his fleep
was fweet, and his dreams precious. Oh ! the very
thoughts of it affects me at this time ; in which
fleep he fees angels; and when he awakes, he fays,
" Surely this is none other than the houfe of God,
<c and the gate of heaven/* Now he makes the
conditions of his covenant with his Maker, which
(as to outward things) was as fmall as well could
be, viz. " Bread to eat, and raiment to put on," and
the " prefence of his Maker, with his blefling."
This was now when he was about to fet up for him
felf in the world, his mind was not high, neither
fought he after great things -, notwithftanding which,
the Almighty gave him in abundance. So onwards
lie went, and carne to Laban, and became his fer
vant. I could wifh that all young people, that are
fervants, would follow his (leps in faithfulnefs; then
might they be a blefilng to their matter, as he was
to his. I ever obferved in my travels (having tra
velled much in divers nations, and made many ob-
fervations) that Almighty God hath greatly bleffed
obedient, induftrious children and fervants : which
obfervation, 1 hope, will be of good ufe to the world,
if well confidered. And on the other hand, I have
taken notice of the contrary, and have perfectly un~

deritood^

YOUNG AND OLD.

derftood, that God's hand hath been manifeftly a-
gainft thofe that have been difobedient, a.id ill na-
tured, and idle ; which may be an ufeful caution to
all. Now the Lord bleffed the good fervice, and
faithful induftry of this his fervant, with great in-
creafe; as alfo with many children, for whom he was
concerned as a tender father; even to the very laft :
and (like a pious and godly father) prayed to the
Lord for their prefervation ; and was zealouQy con
cerned to cleanfe his family from fuperftition and
idolatry ; and calls them to go up to Bethel, or the
houfe of God. Oh! that all heads of families
would be concerned for their pofterity, and feek God
and the things of his kingdom, for their children and
fervants, more than the things of this world -, there
being too much care for the one, and too little for the
other, generally fpeaking : fo that there is need of
this caution. Now this good man was not only con
cerned for his family in his life, but even at his
death alfo: for he, waiting for the falvation of God,
and being fenfible of it, very livingly and fenfibly
blefTed his feed, and was opened in faith to fpeak ex
actly to each of their dates and conditions. I refer
to the hiftory of it in holy fcnpture, the which I be
lieve will be affecting to pious minds. Oh! what a
race he left behind ! All his twelve fons were patri
archs, and great fathers of many people, who were
highly favoured of God, and had been to this day,
had they walked in the ileps of their fathers Abraham,
Jfaac and Jacob \ from whom came many valiant and
noble men, of and for God; as Mofes, Joflma, Samuel^
David, Solomon, Joftahy Elijah, and Elijba; alfo the
holy blefled Star, and Sun of Right ecu fnejs, holy
Jefus, whom the degenerate offspring of good old
Ifrael flew, and hanged on a tree : alfo the holy
apoftles were great examples of virtue : alfo the
bleffed martyrs, and many modern good men, might
be brought in for inviting examples, to ftir up the

flninds

380 A LOVING INVITATION, &c.

minds of men and women to ferve, love, and fol
low the Lord, and to believe in him, and in his dear
Son, and in the appearance of his grace working in the
foul, in order to the convincing and converting of it.
To be particular in all the above inftances, would
fwell this far beyond what is intended; and con-
lidering the many and large volumes that are in the
world, though a large door opened before me, yet
am now willing to conclude, and recommend the
work, with the reader, to the grace of God, in and
through his dear Son Chrifl Jefus our great exam
ple: to whom, v/ith the Father, through the divine
Spirit, be glory for ever.

T. CHALKLEY.

Written at Frederickftadty in Holftein.

FORCING A MAINTENANCE,

NOT WARRANTABLE FROM THE

HOLY SCRIPTURE,

FOR A

M I N I S T E R of the G O S P E L.

Being an Anfwer to fome falfe and erroneous Pages,
writ by JOSEPH METCALFE, tending to flir up
Perfecuttori.

Freely ye have received, freely give , Mat. x. 8.

I have, coveted no man's Silver or Gold, Acts, xx. 33.

I have preached the Go fp el of God freely, 2 Cor. xi. 7.

The PREFACE to the READER,
of what Perfuafion foever.

IT being a known principle of the people called
^uakersy that the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift ought
to be preached freely by his miniilers; yet, notwith-
ftanding divers people, of divers perfuafions, either
for want of charity, or through prejudice, or wrong
information, or all three, do fay or believe, that
the .Quakers minifters or teachers are paid for their
preaching; I do pofitiyely declare to the world,
that it is an utter falfhood and fcandal upon the laid

peogle :

382 PREFACE.

people: for we cannot in good conference make a
trade of our holy calling, neither is the word of
God to be bought or fold for outward gain : witnefs
the apoftle's anfvver to Simon Magus, Acts viii. 18,
20. And if we cannot pay our own, pray how can
v/e pay others, and be clear of guilt, or have the
anfwer of a good confcience, we believing it to be
evil? And every body that knows the holy fcrip-
tures, knows that " what is not of faith is fin;" and
yet our ad verfaries would have us commit this fin ; and
if we will not do it willingly, they will force it from
us by the power of the magiftrates, although the
holy fcriptures and reafon are clearly againft them,
as is plainly manifefted in the enfuing little trad.

And as for my part, I have travelled many thou-
fands of miles, and preached the Gofpel among the
faid people many years, as thoufands of them can
witnefs, and never received any confideration there
for, neither directly nor indirectly, neither do I
reckon they are beholden to me for fo doing, for <c a
" necefifity is laid upon me," and " woe is me if I
preach not the Gofpel ;J> neither do I boaft, for I have
done but my duty, and in that fenfe am but an un
profitable fervant, according asChriit taught, for all
the profit is of Chrift. And if occafion were, there are
many other minifters among the faid people, could
bear the like teftimony.

Oh, but (fay the people) your teachers are gene
rally rich !

Why fhould any begrudge us that which we have,
fince the Almighty bleiTeth our induftry in our honeft
trades and callings, which other teachers, through
the like induftry and bleffing, might obtain, if their
dependency for a maintenance were more upon God
than the people.

Yet notwithftanding thofe teachers receive fo
much money of the people, and the Quaker preach
ers none at all (except they are poor and neceffitous)

they

PREFACE. 383

they are full of complaints : whereas there is no com
plaining in all our ftreets.

We fhould ftarve (cry they) if we had not a law
to compel.

Chrift's minifters of old, when he fent them forth,
they had no law, and yet they lacked nothing. Is
Chrift or the men changed now-a-days ? The men
doubtlefs : for now they cry, More, more, more
money : let every true Chriftian judge in this
matter.

T. CHALKLEY.

I Shall firft take notice of his preface to one called
a Shaker, in which he fays, c That he thinks
4 that there is fufficient matter of convidion in the
c texts and arguments improved.'

Anfwer. But every fmcere foul, when they come
to fee the text themfelves, will have caufe to think
to the contrary ; for had they been fairly produced,
they would have faved the libour of a further reply,
they being far from countenancing any forced main
tenance to Chrift's minifters. And as for his argu
ments improved, they fmell fo ftrong of perfecu-
tion, that I would charitably hope no fober Chrif
tian or magiftrate, who inclines to moderation
(which ought to appear in all) will take any further
notice of them, than to pity his ignorance.

Yet notwithftanding his mighty; arguments and
great improvements, he gives them this blow, ' He
c has but little hopes of his being convinced, (to
c whom he writes) becaufe of the efficacy of error
c and delufion, &c.J

He would have had more reafon to have writ fo,
if he had firft proved error and delufion upon him.

And

FORCING A MAINTENANCE

And trulv, he would have been greatly deluded, if
he had believed that great untruth, That forcing a
maintenance for a gofpel rninifter was warrantable
from the holy Scriptures; if he be fober, and in his
wits, one would believe that he cannot (when he
ferioufly confiders of it) but be convinced that he
is miitaken.

And. as for his prayers, the fcripture fays, <c We
cc know that God heareth not fmners :". and that he
is a finner, is plain, in wrefting and perverting the;
fcriptures, as he has done, and as I fhall ihew thro"
the help of Chrift, my Lord and Saviour.

Forcing a MAINTENANCE, not warrantable
from the H O L Y SCRIPTURE, for
a MINISTER of the GOSPEL.

NO W, pray let us obferve what he fays to the
matter in hand.

i ft. As to the laws of New-England, he fays,
c The laws of this province require that the inhabi-
c tants of each town fhall take due care to be con-
c ftantly provided with a gofpel rninifter : and that
c each mini tier fhall be fufficiently fupported and
c maintained by the inhabitants of the town.

c That all rateable eftates, and inhabitants in the
' town fhall be afleifed, and pay proportionable to
* fuch maintenance.

* And that fuch as refufe to pay accordingly, fhall
c have their proportion taken from them by diftrefs.'

Anf\ver. 1 fhdl not here difpute the injurtice of
this law ib largely as I might ^only I muft add, they
have no fuch example from Chriil nor the apoftles,
wit;h this proviib, that it is made amongft a fociety of
men for themfelves, and thofe of their own commu
nion)

NOT WARRANTABLE. 385*

ttion) but if this is intended to force thofe of other
profeffions, and who cannot for confcience fake join
with them, believing them to be Antichriftian mini-
fters, (as to be fure all fuch are as go about to main
tain fuch doctrine as this prieft Met calf e doth, that
it is warrantable from fcripture'to force maintenance
for minifters) pray would he be willing the Papifts,
or church of England, ihould take away from him by
force ? Surely no : then I fay that it is an unjuft law,
and far from the nature of that royal law, which fays,
cc Do to all men, as you would that they ihould do
<f unto you •/' Chrift fays, <c This is the law, and
<c the prophets." And doubtlefs the gofpel falls
not (hort of it (though this New-England minifter
doth) though I hope it is not the mind of all in pro-
fefiion with him. Now the law being unjuft, it is
no crime to reject it : yet for confcience-fake, and
the Lord's fake, we fubmit to it in paflive obedience*
and it is well known to all that know any thing of
the ghiakers, that their principle is againit refilling
the outward power.

Next to the queftion, c Whether it be warranta-
c ble from fcripture, and the doftrine and pradtide
e of Chrift and his apoftles, to put fuch laws in exe-
c cution, to take from men, although the minifter
c preaches not to them, for they cannot believe
c they are fent of God ?'

This is his great queftion, as he ftates it in his firft
page, which he pretends to anfwer from fcripture,
but falls far (hort of it ; and he goes on thus :

i ft. < It is warrantable from fcripture, &c. that
* the inhabitants of each town (hall take due care,
< in order to their being fupplied with a gofpel
c minifter/

Anfwer. This is as foreign from his queftion, as
Rome is from Soft on. What is that to the purpofe?
Let the impartial judge ; if he cannot prove a forced
maintenance from fcripture, he does nothing to his

B b purpofe,

,386, FORCING A MAINTENANCE

purpofe, nor according to-his grand queftion in his

title-page, &c.

Then he goes on to his fecond affertion, and fays,
2dly, c It is warrantable from fcripture, that gof-

* pel miniflers be honourably fupported and main-
c tained : fuch maintenance is a debt due from the
c people to the miniflers in Uric! juftice, and not as
c a meer a<5l of charity : for it is the hire of their la-
( hour, and the wages of their work.'

Anfwer. Hereby he owns hirnfelf, and all that
are in his practice, to be hirelings, though he will
not allow others to call him or them fo, and quotes
thefe texts of fcripture to prove it, Luke x. 7. 2 Cor.
xi. 8. i Cor. ix. 7, 14. Gal. vi. 6. i Tim. v. 17, 18.
and adds as falfly, and fays,

* The argument which the apoflle ufes for the

* Gentiles miniftring to the Jews, reaches this cafe,
c Rom. xv. 27.'

Anfwer. Surely the man forgets himfelf, for the
apoftle only fpoke of a free collection for the poor
faints at Jerufalem, as in the two foregoing verfes
plainly appears; verfe 25. <c But now I go to Jeru~
" Jalem to miniiler unto the faints." Verfe 26. 'c For
" it hath pleafed them of Macedonia and Acbaia to
" make a certain contribution for the poor faints
<c at Jerufalem" When will our greedy priefts take
fo much care of the poor?

As to the texts of fcripture above quoted, I Ihall
take the pains to fet them down at large, that the
reader may fee how they anfwer his grand quellion :
for what purpofe he concealed them (in his) in fi
gures, is heft known to himfelf. Truly if he had fet
them down at large, it rnuft needs have been plainly
manifefted, to every body that ihould read them,
that he was in the wrong: for they afiert no fuch
thing as he would have them to prove, viz. a for
ced maintenance for gofpel minifters. The rirft is
Luke x. 7. " And in the fame houfc remain eating

" and

NOT WARRANTABLE. 387

«* and drinking fuch things as they give (what could
cc be more againft him?) for the labourer is worthy
<c of his hire ; go not from hotife to houfe ; and
cc into what city ye enter, and they receive you, eat
cc fuch things as are fet before you." (Where is le
gal force here ?)

Let this man have a care left he be one of thofe
that are blinded : for he muft needs be blind, if he
cannot fee that this holy text makes not for his pur-
pofe, but directly againft him ; here is not a word
of legal force. It is far from it; that they were
only to eat what was fet before them, if they received
them who were true minifters fent of Chrift, which
yet will be hard work for perfecuting priefts to prove
themfelves fo, be they of what religion they may.
Well, what fhall we do for this legal force ? Why
truly we cannot find it in the Gofpel or the New-
Teftament. Chrift came to fulfil the law, and
change the priefthood, and put an end to carnal or
dinances. But it may be, Jofeph Metcalfe is an Old-
Teftament man (as a certain New-England convert
faid, on an occafion well known to fome of them)
if he be, and will follow the letter of the law, he
muft go to knocking down oxen, and killing of
fheep, which work I believe they of his cloth are
generally too high for.

The next is 2 Cor. xi. 8. cc I robbed other churches,
cc taking wages of them to do you fervice."

Surely can any body be fo bold as from this text
to fay, that the apoftle made a common practice of
preaching for wages, as our modern priefts do now
a-days ? I hope no Chriftian will imagine from thofe
words of the apoftle, that he was a thief, or facri-
legious perfon, but only a freedom of ipeech which
he ufed to thofe whom he loved, as in verfe n. is
plainly expreffed. It is a familiar way of expreiTion
among ourfelves, where we know we may be free
when any thing is given to us from our friend, * Q,
B b 2 < I fhall

388 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

c I fliall rob thee too much :' to put any other con-
ftrudlion upon the apoftle's words, would be to make
the apoitle a facrilrgious perfon, and a robber, which
is abfurd. But pray let him fpeak fairly a little for
himfelf, and he will wipe off thefe money loving
priefts very handfomely. Verfe 7. "I have," fays
he, ic preached to you the gofpel of God freely."
Oh ! that cutting word freely, what fliall we do with
it ? Though it was fo near our legal minifter, yet he
thought fit not to meddle with it; and in the 9th
ve;fejuft under, as the 7th juft above, (by which the
poor man is hedged in, how he will get out 1 know-
not) the apoftle fays, c< And when I was prefent
<c with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no
<c man." And tells them in the fame verfe, that he
kept himfelf from being burthenfome to them, and
that he refolved to keep himfelf fo. We dare all
thofe that preach for hire, and have money for di-r
vining, to come to ilich a refolution. However, if
they will not come to this good refolution, let them
forbear abufing and periccuting thofe that (by the
grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift) are.

The next is i Cor. ix. 7, 1 4. " Who goeth a war-
cc fare at his own charges ? Who planteth a vine-
<c yard, znd eateth not of the fruit thereof? Who
<c feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk
Cf thereof? Even fo hath the Lord ordained, that
«c thofe which preach the gofpel, fliould live of
** the gofpel."

Jofefb hath left out what he thought made againft
it, from the 8th verfe to the i^th, and I5th, where
holy Paul fays, (though he had power to eat and
drink verfe 4, at free cod, yet he doth not fay any
where, that he had power to take it by force, and
we think it ought to be preached from an inward
neceffity, and not for an outward maintenance) " I
<c have ufed none of thefe things, neither have I
cc written thofe things, that it fhguld be fo done un-

« to

NOT WARRANTABLE. 389

<r to me." I wifh Jofepb Met calf e> and others in his
ftation, could fay fo honeftly.

Now I may proceed to fay fomething to each par
ticular above, as it lieth in the holy text.

And, ifr, " Who goeth a warfare at his own
<f charge ?" There are fome, though very few, I
could heartily wifh that there were more that would
follow his practice that wrote it, who himfelf was
one that did fome times do it, as there, when he
wrought at his lawful calling, and helped thofe that
were with him : and blefled be the God and Father
of our Lord Jefus (Thrift, there are fome who do go oa
in this holy warfare of preaching the gofpel, in this
age of the world at their own charge, who have no
thing to boaft of neither; for a neceffity is laid upon
them, and woe is unto them if they preach not the
gofpel. Though if any be poor and want help, we
have nothing againft it, but are for helping of thofe
who can give a good account of their calling, and
we are fo free to do it, that we need no forcing to
it, nor no law for it.

•idly, " Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not
ce of the fruit thereof?"

Well, he that hath planted a vineyard, let hi in
eat the fruit of it and welcome; but let him leave
other folks vineyards alone, left he be counted a
robber in the word fenfe* for if the holy apoftle
robbed, it was by confent ; but thefe preachers now-
a-days rob without confent, even vineyards which
they never planted, but would deitroy if they
could: Oh! high, bale, and Antichriftian practice
with a witnefs.

3dly, fc Who feederh a flock, and eateth not of
" the milk thereof?" But who feedeth a dock, and
milks the flocks of others?

Anlwer. Antichrift and perfecutors, that carwot

be content with the milk that their own flocks give,

but will needs be milking and fleecing too thofe poor

B b 3 fhcep

FORCING A MAINTENANCE

Iheep which cannot in confcience join with them,
believing that their way is not the door into the true
iheepfold, but that they are climbing up fome other
way, like thieves and robbers. And becaufe the
poor iheep of the true Shepherd Jefus Chrift, bleat
forth thole things, thofe inwardly ravening wolves,
-who have got only the fheeps cloathing outwardly,
being known to be fuch by their fruits of perfecu-
tion, will needs put the poor iheep in their pounds,
when and where they have power, or elfe take it by
force, that is to fay, legal forfooth.

4thly, " Even fo hath the Lord ordained, that
cc they that preach the gofpel, ihall live of the gof-
« pel?"

Yes, he hath ordained that they fhould live, but
not that they fhould force a living. A bleiTed ordi
nation, and with holy reverence be it repeated; for
and becaufe every true minifter of Jefus knows the
fweet benefit of it in a two-fold fenfe. ift, He hath
a holy living for his foul ; he is richly fed at his
great Mailer's table with the finefl of the wheat, and
as with the holy honey or fweetnefs of the Word of
eternal life, which is flrength to him in weaknefs,
riches to him in poverty, and joy and peace to him
in perfecution, which the world, and all the perfe-
cutors therein, can never take away from him 5 blef-
fed be God in Chrift for ever.

2dly, As to his bodily living, if he be a true man,
and not a lover of filthy lucre or gain, he will have
caufe to fay, as his great Matter's fervants did of
old, that he lacked nothing, efpecially if his call is
from God and Chrifl, and not from man or money.
Oh ! this money, that is a loud call indeed to our
men-made minillers: if at any time there chance to
be two calls, I always obferyed, that the higher!
bidder carried the pried. But where (hall we find
that the Lord hath ordained, that a minifler fhail
have fifty or an hundred pounds per annum (in all the

holy

N OT W A RR A NT A B t E.

holy records) for preaching the gofpel ? No, our
great High-pried faid to his, cc Freely ye have re-
" ceived, freely give." But if it had been his
mind, he could as well, and with as great and good
authority as any of thefe men, have faid, If they will
not give it you freely, take it by force. But thofe
forcers know not of what fpirit they are of; if they
do, they mufl needs be the greater hypocrites, and-
fo their condemnation the greater.

GaL vi. 6. cc Let him that is taught in the word,
4C communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good
" things."

Yes, let thole which thefe men teach, communi
cate to them •, for communicate and legal force are
words of different fignifkation. I hope by this time
this preacher's eyes will be opened to fee his error,
in pleading for legal, forced maintenance, efpecially
from Chrift's and the apoilles practice and doctrine,
as recorded in the holy fcriptures.

The next text which he quotes is i Tim. v. 17,
1 8. " Let the elders which rule well, be counted
" worthy of double honour, efpecially they which
<f labour in the word and doctrine; for the fcripture
cc faith, Thou fhalt not muzzle the ox that trcadeth
*c out the corn, and the labourer is worthy of his
cc reward."

Very well, what is this to his legal force ? Here
is nothing of it; thofe that rule well, will not force
any body, nor fet the magiftrates upon their backs,
becauie they cannot conform to their ways; thofe
muft be antichriftian teachers for certain, being op-
pofite to Chrift. For he indeed was perfecuted, but
never perfecuted any, nor forced any, though it was
in his power; for which reaibn we cannot give thofe
men that double honour which they defire; and for
thofe who fay they labour in the word and doctrine
of our meek Lord, to fet the magiftrates upon us>
is wicked ruling, inftead of ruling well.

B b 4 And

Fo R CIN G A M AI N T E N A N C E

And as for the poor ox that treads out the corn;
lam far from having him muzzled: but when he
bites, and with his horns pufhes the fheep, and tram
ples the growing green corn to dirt, I think then he
ought to be muzzled and hoppled too.

In his fecond page he fays, < jdly, It is the duty
€ of every inhabitant in a town to pay proportiona-
' ble towards minifters' maintenance.'

Anfwer. No, if they are not all of one perfuafion
(and if they were all of one perfuafion, he hath no
fuch precedent from Chrift nor the apoftles to force,
neither legal nor illegal) and are not free in the
choice of fuch minifter. He runs too faft there,
without he is popifhly inclined, to perfecute every
body into his perfuafion, which has bren too much
the practice of fome of the New-England magiftrates
and minifters. I may not here forget, though I
forgive, the falutation of a certain perfon when I
firft entered the ftreets of their metropolis of New -
England. « Oh (fays he) what a pity it was that
€ they did not hang all the Qiiakers when they
* hanged the other four.' Remarkable was the
anfwer that one of his neighbours made him, f I
c wonder you are not afhamed to fay fo •, for you
' know that the judgments of God have been on our
f country ever iince.' 1 mention this as a caution
to the New-England minifters, that they would teach
their people more manners to their neighbours, and
to ftrangers j and to let them know, that fometimes
the above-named people cannot be quiet in their fo-
lemn meetings for the worfhip of Almighty God,
in their chief town of Boflen-, which, as I 'under-
Hand, is very much owing to lies and reproaches
which the people have from their priefts and pulpits.
All which is a fhame to moderate Chriftiansj ..fome
of which, of all perfuafions, I hope there are in the
Country and territories of ffeiy- England,

For

NOT WARRANTABLE. 393

For firft, fays he, * None were exempted of old
c from paying of tithes for the maintenance of the

* miniftry.'

By his Jeave, he is miftaken, for thofe that did
not join with them in circumcifion were exempted.

2dly, ' Every hearer ought to pay proportionable
( towards the maintenance of the preacher, GaL

* vi. 6. And every inhabitant ought to be a hearer

* (what againft their confcience ?) for it is fin to

* forfake the afTembling themfelves together, Heb.

* x. 25. And one fin can never excufe another.'
Anfwer. If I fhould afk him, he being a Pref-*

lyterian, whether it be a fin to forfake the afiemblies
of the Paptfts^ or church of England, Baptifts, or
ti^uakerS) and come to theirs ? I prefume he would
fay no: then to what a nonplus he has brought him-
felf and brethren, efpecially in Old-England, for for-
faking the church and fetting up meetings of their
own ; truly he has made them all finners in fo do
ing ; I do not know how his brethren in New-Eng
land will refent it; but I dare fay his brethren in
Old-England will give him no thanks for his un
lucky turn; how he will excufe himfelf in this fin
of ignorance I know not. Would not this have
been a topping writer for the Paprfts, when they
burned the Proteflants for not coming to church ?

3dly. In page 2d, he fays, c The apoftle directs
« in ac~ls of charity, that every one contribute in
f proportion as God had profpered him, i Cor, xvl.

< 2. And that there fhould be equality, every one

* bearing their equal proportion of fuch a burthen,

* 2 Cor, yiii. 13, 14.' He goes on, < Much more

< ought there to be a proportion or equality

* obferved in the maintenance of the miniftry,
« which is a matter of communicative juftice; fo ic

< was under the Jaw, and fo it fhould be ujider the
J gofpel,--

Anfwer.

394 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

Anfwer. Notwithstanding thefe priefts will bring
thofe texts of holy fcripture, that tend to promote
charity to the poor, and many inftances out of an
cient authors for ftirring up charity to the poor ;
yet they will not, when it comes to their cafe, allow
it to be as charity, but a debt; as faith our author
in his firft page: and J. Mather, in a little book
fet forth to promote the maintenance of their mini-
flers, in which I obferve he tells them, c If they
' will ftand to the old law of the Jews, they muft
c have but a tenth of the tenth;' which I fuppofe
will not fatisfy thofe men that have hire for preach
ing, and money for divining : and therefore I think
it their bed way to let the Jews old law alone, and
take to the new law and covenant of our great
Lord Jefus.

And further, if they will bring inftances of cha
rity to the poor, out of fcripture and other authors,
let them be juft, and always when they would make
the application of it to the miniftry, to put honeft-
ly the word Poor before miniftry : viz. poor prieft,
poor minifter; otherwife let them let fall their ar
gument for charity for the poor (which no good
Chriftian will go about to difpute againft) and fee
what their arguments for juftice in the cafe will do
for them. They fay c it is a juft debt, a matter of
c communicative juftice/ but when people do not
fee caufe to commune with them, but quite the con
trary, and buy none of their ware or merchandize,
pray what juftice is there in this f Why truly none,
but a great deal of injuftice.

4thly, He fays, c If any man fail of doing his juft
c proportion, he thereby expofes either the minifter
c to lofe fo much of his juft due/ (but he falls fhorc
of proving it a juft due) c or the other inhabitants
< to pay more than their juft proportion, and fo he
' is guilty of manifeft wrong and injuftice/

NOT WARRANTABLE. 395

No, where the people are not conferring (and if
they were confenting, the New Teftament is filent
to any fuch way of maintaining gofpel minifters) to
this proportion, but fee an evil in it ; and there is no
force under the glorious gofpel of our Lord Jefus
Chrift, as I have abundantly and clearly (to thofc
who are nor blinded) proved above, even from the
very texts of Scripture which he brings and wreils to
prove the contrary, of which let the impartial judge.
Thus he and they building their ftruclure of mainte
nance upon a bad foundation, viz. legal force, it
will fall to the ground, if the magiftrates do not
help ; for whofe help he calls very loud, and well he
may, confidering he and others of his mind are ready
to ifaint and fall without it. But by what hath been
laid, I would charitably hope, all moderate Chriliian
magiftrates will take care, that the preachers eat
only the grapes of their own vine, and the milk of
their own flock, and to keep fo far juft, as to let
other folks grapes and milk alone. But if the priefts
and magiftrates will join together in perfecution,
then will we poor fufferers appeal from them to our
great High Prieft, and juft judge of heaven and
earth, and through his grace, patiently fuffer what
he (hall pleafe to permit to come upon us.

5thly. In his third page, he fays, * The publick
mimftry of the gofpel in any town is a publick
privilege, and every inhabitant is confidered there
in, and partakes in the privilege : for the preach
ing of the gofpel is the great engine of falvation,
and means of faith, Rom. i. 36. x. 17.'
If he means that there is no other preaching the
gofpel but from his feel, we openly declare to the
world, that we differ from him in our judgment, and
we believe upon good grounds too. And what gof
pel, or glad tidings, which the word imports, can
that be to people to preach to them, That a certaia
number of them are eternally ordained for damna
tion i

396 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

tion ; and for ought thefe knowing men know, they
may themfelves be fome of them ; for they cannot
tell who thefe damned ones are. I think it would
be abundantly better, if thofe prying minifters would
let the fecret will of him that made them alone; for
that belongs to God, and not to man, The revealed
truths belong to us, and our children. And to tell
people they can never be free from the aft of fin
•while in this world, is really miferable news, and
dreadful tidings indeed ; fince fin is the caufe of
God's wrath and damnation, and fince we cannot in
confcience join withfuch anti-gofpel miniflers, they
ought not in confcience to take our money or goods
from us.

Again he fays, c Every one is invited to take of
c the water of life freely.* Rev. xxvi. 17.

But, by their leave, theirs is the water of death,
if we muft always fin even in our brft duties, then he
knows, that the " wages of fin is death 5" and may not
any good Chriftians be truly thankful when they are
delivered from fuch a finful miniftry ? And what a
knock he gives himfelf in faying, We take of it free
ly, and his pages are writ on purpole to make people
believe they ought to pay for it, and that they may
force it f'om them too. So we may plainly fee, that
their waters, which proceed from them in fuch bitter
ftreams, are the waters of death, becaufe we cannot
have them freely, according to the doctrine of the
holy Ghoft in the holy Scripture, which he himfelf
hath brought.

Again, whereas he fays, c Where there is no vifion,
c or preaching the gofpd, the people perifli/ Prov.
xxix. 1 8.

This is contrary to what they fay, when they teach
that vifion and revelation is ceafed.

He goes on, * Being without God, without Chrifr.,
c without the covenant, they are in a hopelefs, pe-
* nfhing condition.'

if

NOT WARRANTABLE* 597

If he would infer from thefe words, that where
there is no publick vocal teaching the people perifh,
the Almighty has been kinder than this minifter;
for he has gracioufly promifed, that he would teach
his people himfelf : " The children of rhe Lord are
" taught of the Lord/' &c. " And thine eyes (hall
cc behold thy teachers, who cannot be removed into
*c a corner/' If a. xxx. 20. which cannot be meant of
outward preachers, for they are often removed into
corners; but God, (Thrift, and the Holy Spirit, can-
not. And Chrift promifed to fend the Spirit of
truth, which fhould lead and guide into all truth
(not into fin). Now to fay that fuch who have not
outward vocal preaching perifh, is abfurd, and he
muft want charity, and then all his harangues in his
pulpit are but like founding brafs.

But now, fays he, ' Where the kingdom of God
c is preached, every man is at liberty, and hath an

* opportunity to be preffing into it/ (and I add,
without paying for it) Luke xvi. 16. c But where

* the kingdom of Satan is preached (which is fin
term of life) the people have liberty to fly from it.'
Further he fays, c If any refufe the counfel of God
f againft themfelves, it is their own fault.'

Anfw. If any do fo, it is their own fault indeed;
but to refufe the evil counfel of a finful minifter, is
a virtue and no fault at all.

Again, c They have a price put in their own

* hand, although being fools, they have no heart to
c improve it.'

We are willing to be counted fools by fuch wife-
lings ; but let him know, that wifdom himfcif laid,
He that will be wife, mud firft become a fool.

He proceeds, and fays, < It was a privilege to
c them that were invited to the marriage of the

* king's fon, though they made light of the invita-
c tion, and would not come/ Mat. xxii.

Anfw.

398 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

Anfw. Thofe that rightly come to the marriage of
the King's Son, the Lamb of God that takes away
the fins of the world, muft put off the garment fpot-
ted with the fiefh, left it be faid to them, " Friend,
" how earned thou in hither, not having on the wed-
" ding garment ?" Let every trucChriilian fear,left he
bring on himfelf that awful fentence, "Depart from
" me all ye that work iniquity, I know you not;"
notwithftanding they had eat and drank in his pre-
fence, and in his name they had cad out devils, and
done many wondrous works, and he had taught in
their ftreets; yet neverthelefs, becaufe they were
found in the acts of fin, they muft depart from him.

Now, fays he, c Every inhabitant partaking in
c the publick privilege of a gofpel miniftry, reafon
c and juftice requires that every one fliould bear a
' part of the external charge, in order to the main-
c tenance of it.*

Anfw. But every perfon not partaking of what he
calls fo, and believing that, as thefe erroneous priefts
preach it, to be a bondage and not a privilege; to
force fuch to pay too, is altogether un reafon able,
and great injudice; let all fenfible Chriftians judge.

4thly, Pie fays, c It is warrantable from Scripture,
c that Inch inhabitants as refufe to pay any thing
' towards the fupport of the miniftry, fliould have
* their juft proportion taken from them by legal
< didrefs/

Anfw* We want him, or any of his brethren, to
Ihew us that warrant from holy Scripture; for he
hath not done it yet : and where (hall we find that
it was warrantable from Scripture, and the doctrine
and practice of Chrid and his apodles ? for what he
has produced from holy Scripture, has fairly proved
to the contrary; and as for his legality ^ that great
word, it is only what others of his ipirit have plead
ed in former ages. Did not Nebuchadnezzar perfe-
cute the fervarus of God by a law ? Could not they

fay

NOT WARRANTABLE. 399

fay they fuffered legally ? Did not the Jews fay con
cerning our Lord, <c We have a law, and by that
" law he ought to die ?" Did not the people of
Maffacbujfets make a law, and by it hang the poor
innocent Quakers? Did not all thofe fay, that thofe
fuffered legally ? And do not fome of the New-
England minifters juftify it in their pulpits to this
day, though others there are, I believe, really forry
for it ?

Oh, but (fay our modern teachers, who have mo
ney for it) we hope you will not compare us Chrif-
tians to Jews and Heathens.

Why not, if found in their practices ? for when
once people go to perfecute others for their confci-
entious difTent, it is mod certain they go from the
Spirit of Chrift, as may fairly be proved from ChriiVs
own expreffions, and doubtlefs all perfecutors are
antichrifts, notwithstanding their fine gilding of it
over with the words legal diftrefs, and profecution.

In his fourth page he begins thus, c For it is a juft
c and legal debt, as has already been proved,' (to
thofe that agree to' it, and contract it, he fhould have
added.)

Anfw. But unjuft and illegal to thofe that cannot
for confcience fake confent to it, and therefore, it is
a mi (lake in him to fay, It has already been proved ;
for he hath not, nor can he prove it, to force any by
a coercive power to be confonant to the holy Scrip
tures.

In page the 4th he fays, c God has given his mi-
c nifters a juft right to fome proportion of every
* man's eftate, in the place where they minifter.'

What, Jewsy Heathens, and all ? What, every man
whatfoever ? Where proves he that ? for my parr,
if I were a minifter for money, I fhould think that
what I got from other people againfl their wills,
would never profper, but would be a curfe to and
upon me, and tend to the confumpdon of the reft af

my

4OO FORCING A MAINTENANCE

my eftate, rather than augmenting of it : and I 'have
heard fome moderate minifters, who have money for
their preaching, fay the fame.

He goes on further, and fays, c And that part of
6 each man's eftate, which God gives minifters a
e right to by his juft and equal law.'

Anfw. By his juft and equal gofpel he forces none ;
but leaves every one to be fully perfuaded in their
own minds.

And he mnft needs fay, That the gofpel power ex
ceeds the power of any law whatfoever.

. And the gofpel is free, not forced, as he in vain
would endeavour to prove from holy Scripture.
That muft be an unjuft law that forces people to buy
whether they will or no, and therefore none of God's
law or way ; for all his laws and ways are equal.

And he alfo fays in page the 4th, c They have as

* much power to challenge it as any other debt or
€ wages.*

Not without people agree with them, and hire
them. And though they do agree with them, I do
not grant that they have any colour from the New-
Teilament to make any fuch law, even among them-
felves, it being inconfitlent with the nature of the
glorious gofpel of Chrift. Upon which a paffage
comes into my mind between an Indian and a New-
England minifter, well known to fome of their teach
ers in New-England, who, for preaching, took from
a Diffenler from the Prfjbyterian way, one of his cows ;
the Indian afked him why he did fo ? the prieft
anfwered, c If I hired you to make a fence for me,
« would you not expect your wages ?' ( Yes/ fays
the Indian, c but he no hire you •, and when me do

* man's work, then man pay me ; but when you do
c God's work, then God pay you.'

The poor Indian was in the right, for truly God's
pay is better than all the filver and gold in the>
world,

< Oh

NOT WARRANTABLE. 401

* Oh but,' fay they, * how mud we live ?'

If they had faith in God and Chrift, they need not
Fear a living in this world.

c But,' fay they, e the people are fo hard-hearted,
c that if there were not law for it, the minifters
c might ftarve.'

Then their dodlrine muft ftarve the peoples fouls,
or elfe furely they would not let their bodies ftarve :
that muft needs be a lifelefs, dull, dead miniftry,
that will not open peoples hearts, fo as to keep the
preachers from ftarving j but I think there is no fear
of their ftarving, for they generally live like lords
among the people. But let them remember withal,
that they are not to lord it over the heritage of God.

c It is/ fays he, c agreeable to the doftrine of
c Chrift and his apoftles, that fuch as refufe to pay

* their juft debts, fhould be diftrained for the fame,
c by virtue of the civil fword among Chriftians.'

Anfw. He fhould firft prove the debt to be juft>
and then this text would have been to his purpofe :
for thofe that contract debts, ought to pay them.

In page the 5th, he talks of the law and light of
nature, and reafon, and fays, fc It is the law of God
<c written in the heart," Rom. ii. 15. He adds,
c All the laws of God do fweetly harmonize both
c one with another, and the doctrine of Chrift and

* his apoftles, there is no manner of jar between any
< of thefe.'

Anfw. But there is a wonderful jar between the
corrupt nature or law of man, and the divine nature
or law of God ; he fliould have diftinguifhed be
tween the corrupt nature, reafon and law, and the
divine; for except he rightly divides between the
precious and the vile, he cannot be as the rnouth of
God to the people. Now the corrupt and covetous
nature in thofe that feek their gain from their quar
ter, and preach for hire, and divine for money, lays,
€ That thofe that cannot pay them,' though for con-

C c fcience

FORCING A MAINTENANCE

fcience fake, c they mud be forced to it, whether
c they will or no.5

But the divine nature of Chrift and his apofllcs
favs, " Freely you have received, freely give," Mat.
x/8. If their gofpel is not free, they have not re
ceived it from Chrift. Alib, if they have not^ re
ceived it freely, they may call it their own gofpel ,
but it is not Chrift's. And though Chrift's minif-
ters had power to eat and drink, and to forbear
working, yet, fays the divine nature in the apoftle,
" I have ufed none of thofe things; neither do I
<c write, that it fhould be fo done unto me," i Cor.
ix. 15. And that it is not covetoufnefs, that divers
Quakers^ fo called, cannot pay the covetous priefts,
ismanifeft; for they take much more, and fome-
times double and treble, as I could eafily bring many
inftances and living witnefies to prove what I affert,
from Virginia, Maryland, and abundantly in New-
England, without going over to Great- Britain, in
which many thoufands of pounds have thofe legal
minifters taken by force, wirhin thefe fifty years,
from fuch as for confcience-fake could not put it
into their mouths; and then war has been proclaimed
againft thofe poor fheep. Well, let the righteous
judge, not the felf-righteous (I do not mean them)
but thofe which are clothed upon with the righte-
oufnefs of the Lord Jefus Chrift, as he wrought it
outwardly for them, and alfo as he works it by his
holy Spirit in their hearts.

Next to his 3dly, Touching government and ma-
giftrates, which the people called Quakers ever own
ed and honoured in their way, though they could
not cringe, fcrape and bow, after the common mode
of the finful times, nor give titles to them in flat
tery : but we reckon that thofe magiftrates that are
a terror to hypocrites and evil-doers, ought to have
a hearty inward refpect and honour ihown them
.generoufly in action and courteous expreflion,and not

in

NOT WARRANTABLE; 403

in a parcel of idle compliments. Such magiflrates
as the above, were never a terror unto us, but we
have blefied God on their behalf in our folemn af-
femblies publickly, and alfo often in the ferret of
our fouls privately ; and many times prayed for our
perfecutors alfo. I wifh this prieft be not too much
inclining to fuch. May his eyes be opened !

He goes on, and endeavours to animate and ftir
up the magiftrates to perfecution, by infinuating,
that thofe who for confcience-fake cannot give any
thing to the prieft, are evil, unjuft, and wicked per-
fons ; who, notwithftanding take them in a general
way, and their converfations are as juft as the bright-
eft of their church members, as clivers of themfelves
are forced to acknowledge.

If for this teftimony to our innocency, any fhould
imagine we boaft, it is he, and fuch as he, that are
the occafion of this confident boafting, and we have
our great apoftle, even Paul, for our example.

Now I hope the magiftrates will take care not to
perfecute the juft, but to turn the edge of their
f words againft the evil-doers; and then doubtlefs
they will not bear their fwords in vain, and let the
edge of it be as (harp and keen as it will, we fear it
not : for againft true men there is no law (which is
upon a juft bafis or foundation) that will harm
them.

I tenderly and lovingly, as a minifter of Jefus
Chrift, and true lover of good government, exhort
and warn all magiftrates to be careful to keep with
in their own province : for conference is none of
theirs ; it is the peculiar province of Jefus Chrift ;
the great territory of the King of kings, and judge
of the quick and dead; and he will render, unto
every man a recompence.

Now if confcience were only a cloak for covetouf-
nefs, it ought to be ftripped off, but it is plain that
cannot be our cafe : for we lofe much more by our

C c 2 denial,

404 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

denial (and fometimes a great deal more than as
much more) by our not paying freely, as is above-
faid. But we may, I hope, prefume that the magi;-
ftrates know their duty, without being taught it
from the pulpit; I would have no free-fpirited ma-
giftrate to let priefts ride them : for if they do, it is
to be doubted they will ride them to death -, for per-
fecuting men of their cloth, feem to have but little
mercy. I once heard a prieft fay to a couple of juf-
tices (a church of England preacher for money, but
as himfelf faid to fome of his neighbours, a Prejbyte-
rian in his heart) e Do your office/ which was upon
my poor felf, who had been preaching againft im
and evil, according to the beft of my underflanding
(Why what's the matter r) c He has been preaching,'
fays the priefl, c in the place not licenfed, and has
* broke the law/ c Well,' fays another juftice be-
fide the aforefaid two, c then you have broke the law
r firft, for you preached there before him \ and
though it was our meeting by appointment, yet we
quietly heard him read his fermon, and I dare fay,
he never had quieter hearers in all his days than we
were.

And indeed reading is the general practice of fome
modern teachers, far from the practice of Chrifl, the
apoftles, and primitive Chriftians, when Chriftianity
fhone in its primitive beauty and glory, and when
Chriftians depended more upon the gift of the holy
Ghoft, or Spirit, and lefs upon natural parts and hu
man inventions, which is worthy of the folid confi-
deration of all true Chriftians.

I have alfo oblerved, that thofe magiftrates who
have joined with perfecuting prieils, in perfecuting
men of fober lives and conversations for their religi
ous diflent and perfuafion, that they have not prof-
pered ; and many fober people, not of our fociety,
have taken notice of the fame. This is offered to

the

NOT WARRANTABLE. 405

the ferious confideration of men of high degree, in
reverence and great humility.

And though J. M. flatters the magiftrates, telling
them, they bear the vifible image and character of
gods, in order to flatter them into a perfecuting fpi-
rit, yet I hope and believe, that he will not find many
magiftrates nor minifters of his mind : for if all the
magiftrates and minifters in New-England were as
much for perfecution as he feems to be by his writ
ing, what might all thofe expect, who differ from the
Prejbyterian way in New-England, if they had power ?
but blefled be God, I certainly know that there are
divers moderate people, who are againft perfecution,
even amongft the Prejbyterians in New-England.

In his page yth, he fays, c In cafe of peoples de-
c feel: in this matter (of paying for preaching) legal
c compulfion is the only remedy (What no other
< remedy?) and muft be ufed, otherwife religion,
c which is a peoples life, will foon fall to the
4 ground.'

Anfw. Where will his dodrine land? What,
cannot Chrift uphold his church without the magi*
ftrates ? the religion of Chrift, the apoftles, and pri
mitive Chriftians, flood, and ftands yet, without be
ing fupported by the civil magiftrates. What, has
he got fomenew religion, which cannot ftand with
out the outward power ? but it feems fome of the
New-England minifters reckon that they muft fall, if
the magiftrates do not uphold them. They (i.e. the
magiftrates) are, fays J. M. the keepers of both
tables.

Anfw. But I thought that God had been the keep
er of his people, and Chrift the Shepherd of his fheep,
and the Holy Ghoft the Comforter of them ; I
thought this infinite being had been the great prefer-
ver of men in religion.

In his 8th page he brings divers texts of Scripture

to prove the power of the magiftrates,, which we never

c c 3 denied,

406 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

denied, efpecially when he exercifes his power and
authority to the terror of evil-doers, and the praife
of them that do well. And at the latter end of the
faid page he fays, * From the whole I conclude,
c with fubmiffion to better judgments, that it is
c warrantable from Scripture, and agreeable to the
« doctrine and practice of Chrift and his apoftles, for

* the laws aforefaid to be put in execution.'

Anfw. But alas ! this is all befide his aflertion ;
his bufmefs was to prove a legal forced maintenance
for gofpel miniflers, or elfe he doth nothing. What !
hath he been travelling through all his pages, and
brought forth nothing but this windy doctrine at laft ?
He fpeaks of fubmiffion to better judgments, and I
would have him, if he dare to do it, fubmit to the
judgment of Chrift and his apoftles, who I think
have fairly decided the queflion in favour of the poor
abufed ^uakers9 that it is not according, but contrary
to the language of the Holy Ghoft in the holy Scrip
ture, that gofpel minifters maintenance fhould be
forced by a coercive power. From what has been
faid, let all ingenuous Chriftian readers judge.

In page the gth, c Neverthelefs/ fays he, c if any
c arguments can be produced from Scripture, or

* right reafon, of greater fbrength and weight to

* prove the negative, than there may be to main-
c tain the affirmative ; 1 hope I fhall readily fub-

* fcribe thereto.'

. Anfw. A body would from thofe expreffions al-
moft hope for a recantation from him, efpecially if
he ferioufly confidcrs the doctrine of Chriil and his
apoftles, as here noted at large.

< But/ faith he, c until I receive further light,
c confcience commands me to conform to that mea-
c fure I have/

Anfw. He had beft to have a care of the com
manding; power of an evil confcience.

He

NOT WARRANTABLE. 407

He goes on, c And while I do confcientioufly
« conform to that meafure of light within me,
c walking in obedience to all its commands and
c directions/

Anfw. But fuppofe that light in him fliould be
darknefs, then, as Chrift faid, cc How great is that
" darknefs?" As for certain it is, when he goes
about to prove that for truth which is contrary to
Chrift's docVme.

As to his faying, c Then the Quakers mud let fall
c the grand article of their religion.'

Anfw. Let him ferioufly read over the firft
chapter otjohri) as alfo many other places of the holy
fcripture on that fubjecl; of the Light , and if he is
' not one of thole which are blinded, perhaps he may
be undeceived and his grofs miftake rectified. I
hope he is careful of preaching fuch doctrine in his
pulpit.

A certain church member of the. Prejbyterian way
in New-England told me, that their minifter told
them in his pulpit, c That we denied the bible or
' holy fcripture/ And made the poor woman really
believe it to be true, than which, nothing could be
more falfe •, but the honeil woman thought (he
would try me. * Was you,' fays fhe, c brought up
c among* Quakers ? WTas your father and mother
< Quakers? Yes/ faid I, ' they were fo called.' c And/
fays fhe ' would they fuffer you to read in the bible
c when you were a little boy ? Yes, and corre6t me
c too, becaufe I was not fo willing to do it as they
c would have me to be/

Thus have the poor Quakers been abufed in divers
pulpits in New-England and other places, for which
reafon, I would give this Chriftian advice to all
profeffed Chrittian ministers in New-England and
elfewhere, wherever this may meet with them, who
have fo abufed us, that for the time to come, they
do not tell the people in their pulpits, that the
C c 4 Quakers

'408 FORCING A MAINTENANCE

Quakers deny Chrift, the fcriptures, the power of
the magiftrates, and many other things, which would
make a volume of themfelves, if they were all pen
ned. For them to cry out in their pulpits, c Have

* a care of the delufion of the Quakers,* and at the
fame time to delude the people to believe lies of
them, is really horrid.

c Oh but,* fay they, ( the Quakers are more or-
( thodox now than they were* (when in truth it is
the calumnies that have been cafl on us, are now
made more manifefl to be falfhoods.) And then
ought not they to be glad at the news of our refor
mation ?

r. CHALKLET,

O W I (hall confider his poftfcript, in writing
of which he has dipt his pen deep in the gall
of bitternefs in fome parts of it, which 1 (hall touch
a little upon, as \ fhall come to them,

But to begin, ' Notwithftanding,' fays he, c all
c that I have faid in the preceding difcourfe con-

* cerning maintenance ; yet as to my own particur-

* lar, if a temporal maintenance had been my chief

* aim, I fhould have difcovered great folly in ac-

* cepting a call from fo fmall and poor a people.'
Anfw. From his words, one may conclude it;

was his aim, though not his chief aim-, and then as
to the fhepherd's call, ought it not to be from the
great Shepherd Jefus Chrift ? And if they will an-
Jwer this call, he fays, " Go forth." Where do we
find any example, for a minifter of the gofpej
to flay and preach to only one particular congre
gation ? Pray let them produce it if they can.

But now fuppofe a place fhould prefent to J. M.
where the people were richer, and more of them ;
Would he not leave his poor flock, to go to the
rich ? Pray let him have a care, as he fays, that his
ovvn heart do not deceive him : we but too plainly

perceive^

NOT WARRANTABLE, 409

perceive, by the practice of thofe money minifters,
that the loudeft call, is the mod money. Query,
upon this great word Call, whether the fheep ufe to
call the fhepherd, or the fhepherd the fheep ? Do
not they flrangely invert the order of nature here in
their pretended call from the people? Chrift the true
Shepherd faid, " My fheep hear my voice." So
that he and his fervants or minifters call the fheep,
and not the Iheep them ; and thofe holy fhepherds
call their fheep freely, though thefe muft have
money for their calling, and the fheep call them
too: neither will that fatisfy fome of thole fhepherds,
but they will needs have money from fome poor
Iheep that never called them > and if they cannot
give it them freely, they will have it by force. A
young fhepherd faid to one at Salem in New-England*
c That though Paul had power, and did not ufe it,

* yet he would ufe the power.' But that blefTed
apoftle never pretended forcible power, except the
force and power of love.

He, the faid J. M. complains of his fmall in
come for preaching, and of his poverty \ though it
is probable he has more than all the twelve apoftles
and feventy difciples, when they were fent forth by
their great Lord and Matter ; and to be fure he has
more money for preaching, than they all had. But
he has confelTed his call is not divine, therefore not
from Chrift 5 for, he fays, < If he had a divine call

* he woulcj forego every thing in the world.5 And
fo he is but a legal literal preacher and minifter : a
minifier that forces himfelf to offer, and would alfo
force thofe who receive not his offering, to pay
him, though againft their confcience.

And as for his family's fbarving, I never heard
nor read of any Chriftian minifter's family ftarving,
efpecially in a Chriftian country ; nor I believe he
nor any body elfe. Certainly there is need to cry
put to thofe men, " Oh ye of little faith ! Who

<c cloaths

4io FORCING A MAINTENANCE

" cloaths the lilies, and feeds the fparrows, fhall
" he not take care of you ? Oh ye of little faith !"
I fear they forget the dodlrine of him whom they
fometimes call the Lord.

As to what he writes in his fecond page of his
poftfcript, if he duly minds what 1 have writ in an-
fwer to his, I think he cannot imagine that the
flaming vengeance there poured out by him upon
us, can any way touch us -, but let him and them
which are concerned in this work (for I under-
Hand he had the help of a cunning man) have a
care, that it fall not on themfelves. And truly
the poor Quakers may be thankful that the flaming
fword is not in their hands; for if it were, ex
perience, yea, woeful experience hath taught us,
that we might expe6t but little mercy from fome
of them. And pray why cannot they be more pa
tient, fince they hold that God hath ordained what
ever comes to pafs ? For they fee it come to pafs
that we cannot join with them ; cannot they let the
ordinance of God alone ? I remember an expreffion
of Cotton Mather, in one of his fcurrilous pieces,
that the befl way to deal with the Quaker sy was to
let them alone. Then, according to C. M. this
man, and he that helped him, has taken the word
way to deal with us: and tiuly they lofe ground
generally when they meddle with us.

As for his foolifh pity and bitter lamentation over
us, we defire that they would lament over them
felves and their children, as our Saviour did over the
Jews when they perfecuted; and truly thole who juf-
tify their fore-fathers in hanging the Quaker s^ and
their other ways of fo bitterly perfecuting them as
they did, had not only need to lament, but to re
pent too. And even now, they prove themfelves to
be the perfecutors (and not us) by forcing their
maintenance from us. The Prejbyterians in Qld-
England) alias Gr eat -Brit am > they are one with us in

this

NOT WARRANTABLE. 411

this doftrine, that forcing a maintenance for minif-
ters from them that do not hear them, is altogether
wroncy and unjuft : and how comes it to pafs, that
the fame people are otherwife minded in New-Eng
land? Let them refolve this queftion.

I {hall confider thofe texts of fcripture which he
has thrown at us (and gently return them unto him
again.)

At the end of his poftfcnpt he fays, c The judg-
« ments of God are a great deep.' (Yes too deep for
his legal literal buckets to fetch them up.) Rom. xi.
7. " The eleftion hath obtained it, and the reft
4C were blinded."

I hope he will give the Almighty leave to cleft
whom he plcafeth. Were the election in the power
of this prieft, let the reader judge whether we
might expect any of it.

He cites 2 Cor. iv. 3. "If our gofpel be hid, it
<c is hid to thofe that are loft."

Anfw. Now why did this prieft hide the fourth

and next verfe, was it not for fear the light of the

Quakers doctrine fhould (bine unto people ? Which

is thus (the fourth verfe opening and explaining the

third) " In whom the God of this world hath blind-

" ed the minds of them which believe not; left the

<c light of the glorious gofpel of Chrift, who is the

" image of God, fhould fhine unto them.'1 Or as

in the 6th verfe, <c For God who commanded light

cc to fhine out of darknefs, hath fhined in our hearts,

" to give the light of the knowledge of the glory

" of God, in the face of Jefus Chrift." He thought

good to hide this gofpel, but I think good to make

it manifeft; which puts me in mind of a proverb,

* Who fo blind as thofe who will not fee ?

He goes on, 2 fbe/. ii. ic, i j, 12. " They re-
«c ceived not the love of the truth, that they might
c< be faved ; and for this cauie, God fhall fend them
*< ftrong delufion, that they fhould believe a lie;

<c that

412 FORCING A. MAINTENANCE

" that they all might be damned, who believed
" not the truth, but had pleafure in unrighteouf-
« nefs." And Jude 8, 10, 11, 12, 13. " Thefe
<c filthy dreamers defpife dominion, and fpeak evil
" of dignities, but thefe fpeak evil of thofe things
*' which they know not; woe unto them, clouds
« they are without water, raging waves foaming out
" their own fhame, wandering ftars, to whom is
" referved the blacknefs of darknefs for ever."

To all which I anfwer, ift, We have received the
truth in the love of it, the holy Spirit bearing wit
nefs with our fpiritc, that we are the children of
God: which holy witnefs is ftronger for us, than the
witnefs of ten thoufand priefts can be againft us.

idly, So the caufe being taken away, the effecls
of delufion ceafeth.

And jdly, Pray let them be careful of deluding
themfelves and the people, by keeping them in ig
norance and darknefs : telling them, they cannot be
cleanfed from fin, while here in this world. For all
thofe that believe this, do believe a lie with a wit
nefs, and are ftrangely and ftrongly deluded. This
is a miferabie gofpel, contrary to the doftrine of the
holy apoftles, who are pofitively oppofite to that
evil tenet. " If," fays the apoftle, <c we walk in the
fc light, as he is in the light, then the blood of Jefus
<c Chrift, his Son, cleanfeth us from all fin." And
Chrift came to deftroy the works of the devil, and to
fave his people from their fin. And pray beware
of taking pleafure in pleading for unrighteoufnefs.

4thly, As to thefe fikhy dreamers, pray be care
ful what you dream in your pulpits to the people;
for fome of you will not allow of the immediate
operation of the Holy Ghoft -, wherefore beware of
filthy dreams, and old wives fables.

5thly, We defpife not thofe who are dignified in
truth, and rule well in the church (not with rigour
perfecution) and we account them worthy of

double

NOT WARRANTABLE. 413

double honour; but perfecutors are not fo much as
worthy of fingle honour, and we fhould be but hy
pocrites to give it them.

6thly, And what celeftial rain, or holy divine
water, is there in thofe cloudy dark preachers, who
preach damnation to the greateft part of the world?
Let them look to it, and repent in time.

ythly, ec Raging waves, foaming out their fhame."

Anfw. If perfecution is not the fruits of rage
and fhame, I do not know what is. Pray courteous
reader judge.

Sthly, " Wandering ftars, to whom is referved
" the blacknefs of darknefs for ever."

Now becaufe many cad this text in our teeth, I
fhall write a little to it, thus; This mud be intend
ed to thofe who wander from the holy Spirit, gift
and grace of God in themfelves, by and from which
every true miniiler of Chrift ought to exercife his
gift, and not to fpeak when, where, and what he
pleafes : Oh happy world ! if all profeiTing to be
Chriftian minifters did not wander from this gift into
the inventions and traditions of men. And further,
this cannot be taken in an outward fenfe, becaufe
Chrift himfelf and his apoftles travelled much, and
faid, cc Take us for examples, follow us, as we have
" followed Chrift." And all that know any thing
of letters, know that the word apoftle fignifies a
meffenger, which neceffarily implies a traveller; and
divers of thefe blefTed ones had no certain dwelling-
place. Our dear Lord himfelf had not whereon to
lay his head, as himfelf fays; and thofe who con-
fcientioufly travel to turn people from darknefs to
light, and from the power of Satan to the power of
God, and are inftrumental to turn many to righte^
oufnefs, notwithftanding all men can do to blacken
them, yet the holy text fays, Dan. viii. 2, 3. " They
cc fhall fhine as the brightnefs of the firmament, and
!c as the ftars, for ever and ever.'3 Amen.

T, CHALKLEY,

SOME

OBSERVATIONS

O N

CHRIS T's

S E R M O N on the MOUNT.

If ye love mey keep my Commandments^ John xiv. 15.

Te are my Friends, if ye do whatfoever I command youy
John xv. 14.

The P R E F A C E to the READER.

CHRIST being the great author of the Chrif-
tian religion, I have thought to make fome
obiervations on his Sermon which he preached on
the Mount, which might be acceptable to fome of
his followers; efpecially fuch who defire to fulfil his
holy will, and not to reft fatisfied in a form and Ihew
only of his religion.

And alfo confidering that it is the greateft collec-
£ion of his words left us in the New Teftament by
the Evangelifts in any one place, I was in hopes that
fome obfervations thereon might tend to promote
the reading of it in the holy fcriptures.

But

PREFACE. 415

But the greateft end I had in this undertaking
was, that the profeffors of the name of the holy
Jejus might live and walk in his truth, and in the
doctrine which he has there laid down for his fol
lowers to practife; and that in fo doing, they might
have peace to their fouls here, and reft in the king
dom of glory for ever.

It is by fome accounted and looked upon in youth
to be a commendable and worthy practice to write
down fermons, and to copy and read them over :
and, I believe, it will be generally acknowledged,
that there was never any fermon preached in the
world, that can be compared with this of Chrift,
which he preached in the Mount^ and is recorded by
the evangelift Matthew^ in his 5th, 6th, and 7th
chapters; which if our young and rifmg generation
would often read, and fometimes write it down, if
time would admit, but be fure to take care to prac-
tife it, this would be truly noble in them; and
which, if they find they want inward ftrength to per-
form, then that they would feek it in fecret at the
hand of the Almighty JEHOVAH, in whom is ever-
lafting ftrength; and it is recorded in holy fcripture,
that he <c gives liberally, and upbraideth not."
He will not upbraid thee becaufe thou art but a
child, or tender in years: Oh, therefore, feek him
betimes ! for it is written, " They who feek him
"• early (hall find him."

The Chriftian religion being run into many divi-
fions and fub-divifions, this holy Sermon, ifChrif-
tians would walk according to it, might and would
help to heal their differences, and to foften them in
their fentiments one of another. And it is to be be
lieved and hoped, that all parties will confefs, that
the doctrine in this fermon is good, and ought to be
promoted amongft all who profefs the worthy name
of the Lord Jefus ; and whoever walks contrary to
this rule muft needs be in the wrong.

The

4i6 PREFACE.

The general end of preachers is, or fhould be, to
have their do&r'.ne taken notice of, and put in prac
tice ; and this being counfel from the <c Wonder-
<c ful, Counfcllor, the mighty God," and Saviour,
cc the everlafting Father, and Prince of peace," we
fhould take more than ordinary notice of it.

Confidering alfo, that he not only fpake his doc
trine, but lived in it ; and not only lived in, but
died in it, and for it, and us alfo. Wherefore \ve
are deeply engaged to hear him with an obedient
heart and ear. cc This/' fays the voice from the
mod excellent Glory, " is my beloved Son, hear ye
<c him.?> And Motes the man of God fays, fc That
cc he that will not hear him, fhall be deftroyed from
<c amongft the people :" viz. from an inheritance
with the faints, in the kingdom of God and his
Chrift.

I have carefully tranfcribed the fermon verbatim,
and made fome obfervations on it afterward, I think
on every verfe a little, as I found opennefs to it on
my mind ; and it is recommended to the ferious
perufal and confideration of all thofe who tenderly
and unfeignedly love our Lord Jefus Chrift in
fincerity.

<T. CHALK LET.

MATTHEW

SOME OBSERVATIONS, &c. 417

MATTHEW v. i, 2.

Cf A ^^ feeing the multitudes, he went up
c< JL\^ into a mountain : and when he was fet,
cc his difciples came unto him, and he opened his
<c mouth, and taught them, faying," &c.

Our Lord feeing the multitudes, for the advancing
his Father's glory, his own kingdom, and the good
of fouls, went up into the mountain, and fat in the
power of the Father ; and when fo fet down, his
difciples came unto him : which (hews the necefiity
of coming to Chrift, to hear his word, and that
Chriftians ought to aflemble themfelves before him,
that he may fpeak to them either immediately, or if
he pleafes to enlarge the heart of any of his minifters
to declare his word ; and as his difciples then per-
fonally came unto him, fo now we ought to come to
him in fpirit; and then, when but two or three are
fo come to him, he is as really prefent fpiritually, as
he was perfonally in the Mount. And as this meet
ing in the Mount was powerful and glorious, fo will
all thofe be, in rneafure, where Jefus is really pre-
fent in fpirit. cc And he opened his mouth, and
6C taught them." Thus when true believers meet
before Chrift, he teaches them, and opens the myf-
teries of the kingdom of God, and fpeaks truly to
the ftate of the people, even now fpiritually, as he
did then vocally ; and his word is with power and
great glory. Oh ! may all his fervants and minifters,
who are fenfible of his divine call, minifter accord
ing to their feveral gifts and capacities, in his power,
and by his holy and divine authority : this muft re
form the world, and change the hearts of poor mor-
and forward the work of reformation, which,
D d with

41 8 SOME OBSERVATIONS otf

•with godly forrow it may be truly faid, goes but too
flowly on in this world. Chrift being thus fet in
the power of the Father, opened his rnouth, and let
fall a fhower of bleflings on thofe whofe hearts were
prepared to receive them; for his great love and
tender companion is generally manifefted to poor
fouls, when they with love and zeal to him, and for
the honour of his great name, meet and afTemble
before him. He begins and fays,

Verfe 3. cc Blefled are the poor in fpirit, for theirs
<e is the kingdom of heaven."

It is a fafe and blefTed ftate to be truly and fpirit-
ually poor, and to be rightly fenfible of it before the
Moft High ; for then we are nothing, nor have any
thing but from the Lord •, and without him man
lees himfelf undone, his foul muft ftarve, he mud
go naked, if the Almighty do not feed him and
clothe him; and when he or fhe fees themfelves poor
and wretched, miferable, blind and naked, without
Chrift, notwithstanding all the fine things they may
enjoy in this world, which is of a fading nature,
Oh! then how the foul cries5 how it begs for mercy
and grace ; a dry form of words will not fatisfy it
then, but it begs with tears, Lord help me, or I
perifh ! Save me, or I am undone for ever 1 Here
the foul humbly approaches the throne of grace by
prayer, and if an anfwer is not quickly received,
for fuch a foul is apt to think the time long, it
waits patiently with that fervant of God, who faid,
*f Though he flay me, yet will I truft in him:" For
I know there is no help for me but from thee, Oh !
my God, and my Saviour, faith the truly poor foul,
the food which muft keep life in me, is thy word,
and the raiment which I want, is thy righteoufnefs,
as thou wrought it for me, and works it on me alfo.
The Lord looks with a compaffionate eye on fuch
fouls, and doth not ufe to turn them away empty;
but as they abide in the patience, waiting for his

appear-

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 419

appearance in hope, he allures them of the kingdom ;
and a great turn and change is witneffed •, for the
bleillng of Chrift makes them rich, which adds no
forrow with it; for the greatefl forrow was, and is,
for want of it ; now their treafure and heart is in
heaven, and heavenly things are their chiefeft de
light; now they are cloathed with Chrift's righte-
oufnefs, he hath put it upon them, and they fhew it
in the fight of men, a thorough change being
wrought both within and without alib; " The Holy
ce Spirit bearing witnefs with their fpirits, that they
<c are the children of God ;" and Chrifl fays,
cc Theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Verfe 4. " BlefTed are they that mourn : for they
<f fhall be comforted."

The mourning here fpoken of, is that of a godly
fort, which may fometimes appear outwardly: ift,
For the foul may mourn for its own fins and iniqui
ties: adly, For want of a Saviour ; and, 3dly, For
the iniquities of others. " For," firft, " all have
cc finned, and come fhort of the glory of God ;"
and fince we have all finned, we have all need to
mourn before the Lord, and bow ourfelves before
the Mod High-, and when he fees that we are hum
bled before him, he then will comfort us : Chrift
will fend the Comforter, the Spirit of truth in his
name, who will come unto us; and when he is come,
we may plainly know and underftand it is he, by
what he doth, according to Chrift's own rule, which
is infallible and certain ; fays he, <c When he is
4C come, he will reprove," or convince, <c the world
of fin, of righteoufnefs, and judgment : of fin,
becaufe they believed not on me; of righteouf-
nefs, becaufe I go to my Father, and ye fee me
no more j and of judgment, becaufe the prince
cc of this world is judged." Thus according to
Chrift, that which fhews us our fin, and convinces
us of it, is the Spirit of truth, the Comforter 3 that,
D d 2 after

cc

cc

4"o SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

after we have mourned for our fins, which he con
vinces us of, then he comforts us with inward ccim-
fort and confolation. adly, This Comforter alfo
convinceth us of our formal righteoufnefs, when it
is only formal without the power of Chrift; and then
the foul mourns after the life and power of godlinefs,
which indeed is great gain, with true contentment,
and hath the promife of the things of this life, and
that alfo which is to come. And ib here we are
comforted by the Spirit in the promife, in which we
have faith to believe in Chrift, and that he will verily
'do as he hath promifed. 3dly, It alfo convinceth
us of judgment, when we judge with wrong judg
ment; and when we mourn for our miftake, he makes
us fenfible of this righteous judgment, which judges
the prince of this world, who is judged by Chrift;
and then inftead of mourning, we are ready to fing
with the faints of old, cc Salvation, and glory, and
<c honour, and power, unto the Lord our God, for
<c true and righteous are his judgments, for he hath
cc judged the great whore which did corrupt the
" earth with her fornication, and hath revenged the
cc blood of his fervants at her hand.'*

Secondly, The foul being truly in love with
Chrift, and he being abfent from the foul in fome
fenfe -, or if he feems to ftay a great while from it,
although to try and prove the foul ; this makes us
mourn greatly like the fpoufe in the Canticles^ who
fets forth the beauty and excellent parts and come-
linefs of her Beloved, and all her forrow is, he had
withdrawn himfelf: and well may a foul be forrow-
ful, when Chrift fpiritually withdraws himfelf :
<c The children of the bridechamber mourn in the
" Bridegroom's abfence, but rejoice in his pre-
cc fence," fays Chrift; who is the very perfection of
beauty and holinefs. But the foul abiding in his
love, and feeking of him, and waiting for him, in
his own due time he will certainly come to that foul;

fot

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 421

for he is the truth who faid, fc BlelTed are they that
" mourn, for they fhall be comforted.5'

Thirdly, Again pious fouls cannot but mourn for
the fins, and abominations of the times, which is a
great exercife to them, and affects them with forrow
and mourning; but they are comforted with blefled
promifes, which the Holy Ghoft at times and feafons
immediately applies to their fouls, as recorded in
the holy Scripture ; and let it be remembered, that all
our good times and feafons are in the hand of the
Lord. It is recorded in the holy Scripture, that
God would have his people fpoken comfortably to ;
I/a. xl. i. And that he would (f give them beauty
" for afties, the oil of joy for mourning, and the
<c garment of praife for the fpirit of heavinefs; that
cc they might be called trees of righteoufnefs, the
cc planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.'*
If a. Ixi. 3.

Verfe 5. " Blefled are the meek: for they fhall
cc inherit the earth."

" Be not high-minded," faith one of his fervants ;
and another faith, cc God refifteth the proud, but
" giveth grace to the humble;" again, " The meek
<f will he teach his way, and the meek will he guide
" in judgment;" as the holy Scripture witnefleth.
So that well faid our holy Saviour, that the meek
ihould be bleffed; grace is given to them, anrd God
is their teacher, and their guide in judgment, a mod
bleffed gift, teacher and guide : a great blefling in
deed, to receive grace from Almighty God, to be
taught his ways by him, and to have the holy One
to be our guide in judgment. And he who has all
power in heaven and in earth committed into his
hand, fays as above, " That the meek fhall inherit
" the earth:" they have the righted and trueft en
joyment of all the things of this life; whereas the
proud and fcornful are a burthen to themfelves and
others, and hardly any thing pleafes them, or any
D d 3 thing

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

thing good enough for them ; when on the other
hand, the meek and contented mind hath, accord
ing to a good general maxim, a continual feaft.

Verfe 6. " BlefTed are they which do hunger and
" thirft after righteoufnefs : for they (hall be filled."

Let it be remembered, that as our mortal bodies
cannot enjoy health long, without a natural appetite
to meat and drink, fo our fouls cannot live unto ho-
linefs, without a fpiritual hunger, and an inward
thirft after the righteoufnefs which Chrift puts upon
his faints ; not by imputation only, but actually
alfo: fuch fouls he will fill, as holy 'Mary witnefTed
and bare her teftimony to the truth thereof, viz.
cc He hath filled the hungry with good things, and
c the rich he hath fent empty away/' When we are
emptied of fin and felf, then there is room for the
Almighty to pour into us of his Spirit (if we would
fill any thing, it muft be empty) fo muft we be
empty, if we hunger and thirft after righteoufnefs;
truly, then fhall we pray to our heavenly Father for
divine food, and it will be our meat and drink to do
his will - and we fhall delight to feed upon his word,
as Chrifl fays, " Man fhall not live by bread alone,
6 but by every word which proceedeth out of the
c mouth of God/9 This is holy food for the foul,
which nourifhes and keeps it alive to God, and with
out which it is dead, notwithftandirrg it may have
the form and fafhion of a living body. And as this
hunger and thirft, or defire, muft be fpiritual, fo muft
the food be alfo, " It being the Spirit that quick-
*f ens," and gives life to the foul -, wherefore let a
fpiritual hunger and thirft be in the foul after God
and his righteoufnefs. A righteous foul being great
ly a-thirft after the Lord, cries out, cc As the hart
c panteth after the v/ater-brook, fo doth my foul
f after the living God/' And this holy thirft was
greatly fatisfied, fo that his heart was many times
iweetly opened to praife the Lord. It is true, we

have

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 423

have an adverfary that would be filling us with many
things flefhly, worldly and fatanical ; but we are to
fhut up our hearts againft him, and to keep out all
thofe things, and to iland open to Chrift, and empty
before him; and if we find this our adverfary too
hard for us, we are to fly and cry to the Lord for
fuccour and help, who is a God not only afar off,
but alfo near at hand, and a prefent help in the
needful time, as many of his fervants and children
have experienced and witnefled him. Wherefore,
to be truly hungry and thirfly after Chrift and his
righteoufnefs, intitles us to his gracious promife,
who fays, " they ihall be filled."

Verfe 7. <c BleiTed are the merciful : for they fhall
cc obtain mercy."

It is highly necefiary for mortals to fliew mercy,
in all their words and actions one to another, and
alfo to the creatures, which God hath made for the
ufe of man : it is ufually laid, that a merciful man
is merciful to his beafi, which generally is true ; and
if men are merciful to their beads, how much more
ought they to be merciful one to another. Where
mercy is to be extended, it ought not to be done
iparingly, fince thereby, according to Chrift's blefled
doctrine, we are to obtain mercy. That fervant that
ihewed no mercy to his fellow, had no mercy fhewed
unto him from his lord. It is alfo recorded, in the
name of the Lord, " He hath fhewn unto thee, O
<c man, what is good, that thou fhouldlt do juftly>
<c love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God •" by
which it appears, that we are not juft in the fight of
God, if we are cruel and unmerciful one to another :
and we ought not only to be merciful, but to love it ;
which, if we are truly humble, we fhall certainly do ;
mercy will leffen, and not magnify weaknefs, fail
ings, or fmall trivial things one in another : and
fometimes, as the cafe may require, fome larger
things 5 and yet there is room for feafonable reproof

D d 4 and

424 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

and corre&ion : but mercy muft be mixed with juf-
tice, elfe the correction may end in tyranny. We
ought to be gentle to all men, which is a true token
of true gentility: fo to be truly merciful, is to be
blefled, and to obtain mercy.

Verfe 8. cc Bleifed are the pure in heart : for they
« (hall fee God."

By which we may underftand, that we are to take
care of our hearts, and to keep a ftricl watch over
them; and not admit unclean or unchafte thoughts,
or finful defires, to have an entrance therein. And
if at unawares they fhould at any time enter, we mud
not entertain nor love them, but turn them out;
for we, in this, fhould be like our heavenly Father,
of purer eyes than to hehold iniquity with any al
lowance or approbation : othervvife it will hinder us
from feeing God, and from the fweet enjoyment of
his moft precious prefence, and beholding the only
Begotten of the Father, and the fullnefs of his grace
and truth, which we cannot fee if our hearts are
impure : an inftance of which, we have in the Scribes
and Pbarifeesy though they were outwardly righteous
and clean, yet within were very impure, fo that they
could not fee God, though he was in Chrift recon
ciling the world to himfelf : notwithstanding their
nice difcerning eyes, yet they could not fee him, for
the impurity of their hearts, which was fo great, that
they murdered the Juft One, their hearts being full
of deceit and hypocrify. " Make clean the infide,
" that the outfide may be clean alfo," fays Chrift:
from whence it appears, that a true Chriftian muft
be clean, both within and without alfo. The true be
ginning of the work of purity and fanctity muft be
firft within •, and being innocent and pure in heart,
we (hall then fee the glory of the Father, the lovely
beauty of the Son, and the power of the Holy Ghoft
or Spirit.

Verfe

CHRIST 's SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 425

Verfe 9. " BlefTed are the peace-makers: for they
cc (hall be called the children of God."

This peace-making is excellent work, and a blef-
fed calling ; what pity it is, that there is not more
fuch workmen in the world, who would fet them--
felves heartily to it, which if they did in a right
fpirit, God would certainly profper the work in
their hands, and plentifully reward them with his own
peace, which pafleth the common understanding of
the natural man. If our ingenious men, our men
and women, of (kill and good natural parts, would
take a little pains, nay, when the cafe requires, a
great deal, the Almighty would richly reward them.
This work is not too mean even for princes and no
bles ; no, not even the greateft monarchs on earth,
without it, be too mean for them to be called the
children of God. And if the children of God are
peace-makers, what, and whofe children are they,
who break the peace of nations, communities, and
families ? Wherefore, we fliould feek peace with
all men, and enfue it, or fue for it, by our continual
fecking of it, being a precious jewel when found;
and though this office may feem a little unthankful
in the beginning, or at firft, yet in the end it brings
forth the peaceable fruits of righteoufnefs, as many
fo labouring have witnefled. And Chrift, to encou
rage the work, fays, " They fhall be called the
" children of God •," which are words of the Kino-
of kings-, and if the princes of this world would
promote this work among themfelves, it would fave
them a vaft expence of treafure, and of blood • and
as thefe peace-makers are to be called the children
of God, they who are truly concerned herein, are not
only fo called, but are fo in deed and in truth.

Verfe 10. cc Blefled are they who are perfecuted
" for righteoufnefs-fake : for theirs is the kingdom
" of heaven/'

Perfection

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

Perfecution may be confidered in relation to ca
lumny and reproach, and in imprifonments, con
finements or the like, or taking away life or goods
on a religious account for confcientious fcruples,
&c. What fad work hath there been on this account
in the world, not among Turks and Jews only, but
among profeflbrs of Chrift and Chriftianity, which
is indeed a great reproach to that holy name. Per
fecution for righteoufnefs fake, is not fit for Turks
or Jews, much lefs for the profeflbrs of our meek
Lord, his difpenfation and gofpel being abfolutely
the reverfe to it -, which is a fhameful fin to all men,
in all nations: but however, the perfecuted have
this comfort in the midft of all their fufferings, they
are blefTed of Chrift their Lord, who himfelf fuffer-
ed for them, and are promifed by him the kingdom
of heaven. By which doctrine it may fafely be con
cluded, that the members of his true church never
perfecuted any, though they have been often perfe
cuted by many, as the large and voluminous books
and tracts, of periecuting for religion, now extant,
do plainly make appear ; by which the eyes of many
are open to fee the uglinefs of it, and a fpirit of
moderation begins to grow and fpring a little in the
earth, in divers parts thereof.

It were to be defired, that all Chriftians modera
tion might more and more increafe, and might ap
pear unto all men, becaufe God is at hand, who will
juftify the innocent, whom he knows better than any
man becaufe he fees their hearts, and he will con
demn none but the guilty. How fhall the Jews be
converted, or the Turks convinced, to and of the
variety of the Chriftian religion, while its profeflbrs
are tearing and rending one another to pieces ?
Had it not been for the immoderation and perfecu-
tion among profeflbrs of Chrift in Chriftendom* fo
called, it is probable Chriftianity would have made
,a far greater progrefs in all the four quarters of the

world

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 427

world long before this time, than it hath now done.
Perfccution hath been propofed by the immoderate,
to lay heats and divifions, and cure breaches ; but
the ancient hiftory of perfecution, and the modern
practice of it, fully convinces us that it hath always
tended to make the hot hotter, the divifions greater,
and the breach wider, and fo the contention to grow
endlefs; which nothing will end, but a calm and
quiet temper of mind, the mind being cooled by
the gentle influences of the holy Spirit of Chrift the
immaculate Lamb, who came not to deftroy nor de
vour, but to feek and to fave that which was loft
and gone aftray, that he might bring them home to
his fold of reft in his Father's kingdom.

Verfe n. cc BlefTed are ye when men fhali revile
<c you and perfecute yon, and ihall lay all manner
" of evil againft you falfely for my fake."

Verfe 12. cc Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for
« great is your reward in heaven ; for fo perfecutcd
" they the prophets which were before you."

There is a perfecution, as before hinted, by ca
lumny and reproach, or reviling, by evil-fpeaking
and falfities, which, for the mod parr, it is better
patiently and quietly to fuffer, for Chrift's fake ; and
if we were abuied, to appeal to him, for many times
words beget words, till at laft it comes to prejudice,
and breaks the unity and peace of brethren and fa
milies-, fo that in a general way, one had better fuf
fer the calumnies and reproaches of evil men, with,
a tender concern for God's glory, reding in the
bleffing of Chrift; and that thou wilt mo ft furely
feel, if thou can appeal to him on this wife, " Lord,
" thou knows I fuffer this wrong for thy fake/' In
fuch fuffenngs there is an inward joy, a fpiritual re
joicing-, and the heart of the perfecuted is abun
dantly more glad, through the bleffing and good-
nefs of Chrift, than cftc perfecutor's, whofe con-
fcience accufeth him in fecret. And as to perfonal

perfecution,

42$ SOME OBSERVATIONS o tf

perfecution, it is no more than the prophets, and
our Lord, did fuffer before us. And with that con-
fideration Chrift comforts hisfuffering feed: " And
cc thofe who fuffer with him, and his feed, thefe
<r have the promife of reigning with him j" and
himfelf hath promifed them a reward, no lefs than
the kingdom of heaven.

Verfe 13. cc Ye are the fait of the earth: but
<c if the fait hath loft its favour, wherewith fhall it
" be faked ? It is thenceforth good for nothing but
<c to be caft out, and to be trodden under foot of
« men."

Here Chrift (heweth that his followers muft feafon
the earth, by living a favoury life, and by walk
ing according to his doctrine, whofe doctrine is won
derfully fet forth in this excellent fermon ; and if we
live up to thofe holy rules, we fhall then be fervice-
able in our generation, and our lives will teach the
people as well as our words, and fometimes better
too, by how much example is better than precept;
and indeed Chriftians ought to be careful in both,
in life to live holily, and in words to be fparing,
obferving to <f Let your words be few and favoury,
" and feafoned with grace, that they may aciminifter
c< grace to the hearers :" Thus fhould we feafon the
world, and fait it with the fait of the covenant; but
if we lofe this favour of grace, and take a liberty
which Chrift and his truth do not allow of, of fpeak-
ing at random things which are not convenient nor
edifying, but altogether unfavoury-, then, according
to our Mafter which is in heaven, we are good for
nothing but to be caft out (i. e. out of the church)
and then we fhall be trampled upon by men, as in
truth we deferve: not that our bodies are to be kil
led, or deftroyed ; for the door of the church is al
ways open to receive true penitents. But for this
end and good purpofe we are chaftened of the Lord,
that the foul may be faved in the day of the Lord.

And

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 42

And thofe who know godly forrow for their fins,
and turning from the evil of their ways by amend
ment of life, thofe Chrift forgives, and advifeth his
church to do the fame, faying, " If he repent for-
'* give him •," which repentance is beft manifefted
by a new life, and holy and blamelefs converfation ;
for words without works are good for nothing but to
be trodden under foot of men.

Verfe 14. " Ye are the light of the world: a
" city that is fet on a hill cannot be hid."

True and faithful Chriftians are indeed as ftars in
God's firmament, which are of excellent ufe to peo
ple in the night feafon, and more efpecially when
they are not clouded, and in a particular manner to
thofe who travel on the feas, for when they have not
feen the fun for a feafon, then they are good guides
to the fea-faring man ; and likewife in the wilder-
nefs on the land •, and this world is like a wilder-
nefs, and like the troubled fea, to fome poor fouls;
and then good men and good women, are fer-
viceable to reprove and inftrudt in righteoufnefs:
" Such/' fays Daniel the prophet, cc fhall fhine as
" the brightnefs of the firmament, and as the ftars,
" for ever and ever." And thefe are like " a city
<c fet upon a hill, which cannot be hid."

Verfe 15. " Neither do men light a candle and
cc put it under a bufhel, but on a candleftick, and
<c it giveth light to all that are in the houfe."

Mortal men, when divinely enlightened by the
Grace and Spirit of Chrift, ought to exert them-
felves to their Mafter's glory, and excite others, and
ftir them up to their duty -, and to endeavour, as
much as in them lies, to promote the kingdom and
intereft of their dear Lord ; for men are God's can
dles, as the fcripture faith, " The fpirit of man is
" the candle of the Lord;" and this candle is often
lighted by Chrift, who " lighteth every man that
« cometh into the world," John i. 9, and is the true

light

43° SOME OBSERVATIONS OH

light of the great Father of lights. The great and
good end of Chrift's lighting man's fpirit, and
illuminating him with divine light, is, that he may
fhine out to others, in a good converfation and a
holy life, which is both Serviceable to others and
himfelf alfo ; and anfwers the end of him who en
lightened him by the fire of his word, or with a coal
from his holy altar; being thus lighted, and walk
ing in it, " as the nations of them that are faved,
c lhall walk in the light of the Lamb." Here all
the houfe, or fociety, is truly lighted by fuch lights ;
arid thofe who have received greater gifts or degrees
of divine light from Chrift, than fome others, and
may have a larger fhare of natural or acquired parts,
ought not to hide it (as our Lord phrafes it) under
a bufhel, but put it, in its proper place, or, on a
candleflick ; and as the candle is of little ufe when
it is put out, therefore we ought to be very careful
to keep to watchfulnefs and prayer, that it be kept
lighted in time of darknefs ; for the candle of the
wicked is often put out.

Verfe 16. " Let your light fo fhine before men,
cc that they may fee your good works, and glorify
" your Father which is in heaven."

Since there is a bright and fhining nature and qua
lity in the holy lives of Chrift's fervants, and in the
conventions of his faithful followers, therefore it
fhould and ought to be manifeft, and to appear be
fore men ; our lamp fhould be burning, and our
light Ihining -, and we fhould take care to get and
keep holy oil in our veflels, that therewith our lamps
may be fupplied, otherwiie folly inftead of wifdom
will appear in our con verfat ions, which will be a
hindrance, when our great Bridegroom cometh, to
our entrance into life or God's kingdom, and greatly
hindereth our Mafter's glory, which by all means we
are to endeavour the furtherance of; and men ge
nerally take more notice of our evil works, and,

where

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 431

where an evil eye is open will fooner fee them than
our good ones; fo that we had need to be very care
ful, and keep a holy watch in our conventions,
that our light may fo fhine, as that our Father which
is in heaven may be glorified, in our bringing forth
much good fruit.

Verfe 17. " Think not that I am come to deftroy
" the law or prophets : I am not come to deftroy,
« but to fulfil."

Verfe 18. cc For verily I fay unto you, till hea-
" ven and earth pafs, one jot or one tittle (hall in
" no wife pafs from the law, till all be fulfilled.95

The excellency of the difpenfation of the glorious
gofpel of JefusChrift is really wonderful! having
no manner of tendency toward deftroying the law of
God given by Mojes -, for Chrift's doctrine comes up
through it, fulfils it, and goes beyond it, in perfec
tion, and in the beauty of holinefs, and in the life
and power of pure religion.

<c The law," faith the apoftle, cc is a fchoolm after,
«c to bring us to Chrift;" and no man can come truly
to Chrift, nor be in him, or be a new creature, with
out coming through the law, and keeping the com
mandments : but thefe commandments are to be
diftinguiftied from the fuperftitious traditions and
ceremonious cuftoms of the Jews. The Scribes and
Pbarifees, who though they fat in Mofes's feat, did
not do as Mofes did, but crucified him whom Mofes
propheiied of, faying, cc The Lord your God (hall
ct raife up a Prophet from among your brethren like
« unto me, unto him (hall ye hearken." Chrift and
his difcipies teach the law, though not the traditions
of the Jews, who were very careful of their fmali
tithes, of their own intersft, though but of, or in
fmall things, neglecting the weighty matters of the
law, which is in no wife to be pafled by, but to be
fulfilled while heaven and earth endure.

Now

432 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON*

Now the law and commandments which our Lord
fpoke of, are generally underftood to be thofe ten
commandments recorded in the 2Oth chapter of Exo
dus, with other abfblute commands written by Mofes
diftinguifhed from the Jews traditions, and fuch as
were general to mankind : for Chrift is the general
Saviour, both of the Jew and alfo of the Gentiley
who believe in and obey him: and that thofe com
mandments may the more be minded and taken
notice of, and imprinted in people's thoughts, they
are here, in part, tranfcribed out of the 2Oth chap
ter of Exodus.

I. Thou fhalt have no other gods before me.

II. Thou fhalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likenefs of any thing than is in hea
ven above, or in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth : thou fhalt not bow down
thyfelf to them, nor ferve them,

III. Thou lhalt not take the name of the Lord
thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him
guiltlefs that taketh his name in vain.

IV. Remember the fabbath day to keep it holy.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother : that thy
days may be long upon the land which the Lord
thy God giveth thee.

VI. Thou fhalt not kill.

VII. Thou fhalt not commit adultery.

VIII. Thou fhalt not fteal.

IX. Thou fhalt not bear falfe witnefs again ft thy
neighbour.

X. Thou fhalt not covet thy neighbour's houfe,
nor his wife, nor his man-fervant, nor his maid-
fervant, nor his ox, nor hi's afs •, nor any thing that
is thy neighbour's.

All which, our holy Lord Jefus Chrift fulfilled in
his own perfon, and taught it to the people, as this
his moft holy fermon will witnefs abundantly : and

all

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE\MOUNT. 433

all who profefs his great name, mud and ought to
teach the fame.

Verfe 19. " Whofoever therefore fhall break one
cc of thefe leaft commandments, and teach men fo,
cc he fhall be called the leaft in the kingdom of
" heaven ; but whofoever ihall do and teach them,
<{ the fame Ihall be called great in the kingdom of
cc heaven."

Here we are ftridtly enjoined, as we value our re
putation in heaven, both, to do and to teach, the
commandments and law of Mofes -, though not the
ordinances, commandments, or traditions of the
Strikes. Now the Scribes and Pharifees taught divers
good things in words, as we underftand by Chrifl;
" But," fays he, <c be ye not like unto them; for
<c they fay, and do not:" example being often of
more force and power than • precept : they might
have faid, as fome of our modern Scribes do, to the
people, c You mud not do as we do ; but do as we
4 fay.' But, according to Chrifl:, this will not ferve
their turn -, for he fruits the gates of heaven a-
gainft all them, and all fuch, though his own
hearers, as in the next verfe.

Verfe 20. cc For I fay unto you, except your
<c righteoufnefs fhall exceed that of the Scribes and
<c P&ariJeeSy ye fhall in no cafe enter into the king-
*c dom of heaven."

Thofe Scribes and Pbarifees had a righteoufnefs,
but it was one of their own making, an outfide.one
only, whereas within they were full of deceit and
hypocrify ; they cried up righteoufnefs in words,
and yet cried out againft him who taught it in the
greatefh purity, and fought his dtfiruclion ; they
were notable examples to all perfecutors for religion.
Our Lord and his fervants did nor, nor do not,
fpeak againft outfide holinefs, fo as the infide be the
fame ; for a living man hath both infide and out ; fo
has living righteoufnefs an inward and outward puri-

E e ty,

434 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

ty, which is manifeft by its fruits, and thofe fruits
are fruits of the Spirit, which <c are love, meeknefs,
. " temperance, patience, experience, hope, and cha-
" rity, or brotherly love;" of which thofe people
Ihewed very little to Chrift; he was very fenfible of
their envy and malice, which were very contrary fruits
to holinefs; and therefore he tells them that hear him,
That their " righteoufnefs muft exceed that of the
" Scribes and Pbarifees, or they in no cafe (hall enter
<f the kingdom of heaven.

Verfe 21. cc Ye have heard that it was faid by
Cf them of old time, Thou fhalt not kill •, and who-
<c foever (hall kill, fliall be in danger of the judg-
*c ment :

Verfe 22. cf But I fay unto you, that whofoever
<c is angry with his brother without a caufe, (hall be
<c in danger of the judgment; and whofoever (hall
cc fay to his brother, Raca, (hall be in danger of the
<( council; but whofoever (hall fay, Thou fool, (hall
<c be in danger of hell-fire.7'

Here we may learn that the law provided nothing
againft anger, only in this cafe againft (hedding of
blood; and many times if anger is too much kindled,
*St fets the foul on fire of hell, if it be not timely
quenched. People, as it grows hotter, call one
another out of their names, and take the name of
the Lord in vain, break the third commandment,
fwearing by him, and curfing of men : we may
plainly fee by Chrift's doctrine, that the firft degree
of anger, without caufe, is dangerous; but the fe-
cond is very dangerous. Soft words from a fedate
mind will wonderfully help in this cafe: it is not
eafily conceived what a mighty advantage Satan hath
upon one that is angry without a caufe : and we are
often apt to think we have caufe, when we have
none at all; and then we make work for repentance,
without which we are in danger of hell-fire. Where
fore every true Chriftian ought to watch againit the

evil

1

cc

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT; 435

evil of anger -, and yet there may be anger, where
there is real caufe, without fin.

Verfe 23, cc Therefore if thou bring thy gift to
cc the altar, and there remembered that thy brother
cc hath ought againft thee.

Verfe 24. cc Leave there thy gift before the altar,
cc and go thy way, firft be reconciled to thy brother,
cc and then come and offer thy gift."

The Chriftian religion admits of no malice nor
guile; the worfhip of it is in fpirit and truth, and
love, without hypocrify, without deceit or hatred:
if we come to the altar, this will hinder our accept
ance. Though we may indeed have a gift, we are
to feek reconciliation, and not fay, Let him come
to me, I will not go to him ; but Chrift tells us,
we muft go to him; and if thou go to the offended,
in a meek and Chriftian fpirit, and feek reconcilia
tion, if thy brother will not be reconciled, if the
fault be in him, thou ;haft done thy duty, and thy
gift will be received, and Chrift will manifeft him-
felf to thee by his Grace and Spirit. But yet art
thou to feek for peace, he having ordained it, and
laid it as a duty incumbent on thee.

Verfe 25. cc Agree with thy adverfary quickly,
c< whilft thou art in the way with him : left at any
<c time the adverfary deliver thee to the judge, and
" the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be
<c caft into prifon.

Verfe 26. " Verily I fay unto thee, thou fhalt by

no means come out thence, till thou haft paid the
<c utmoft farthing/'

It is plain from hence, that Jefus is for a quick
and fpeedy end to differences 5 fays he, cc Agree
cc with him quickly;" for it is of dangerous confe-
quence to let difagreements lay long, it eats like a
canker, and it deftroys the ver . nature of religion.
Perfonal differences is a great hurt to families, to
churches, and to nations, and countries, efpecially

E e 2 when

SOME OBSERVATIONS OK

•when efpou fed by parties; then what rending, tear
ing, and devouring work it makes: wherefore take
thrift's counfel, and agree quickly; and if the dif
ference be on the account of debt, as is often like
ly, if the debt be juft, it is better to offer up one's
felf, and all that he has in the world, than to ftand
out with one's adverfary, till it come to the utmoft
extremity ; and for Chriftians to go to law one with
another, is contrary to the apoftle's advice ; and
oftentimes the gainer of the caufe, lofes by going to
law; fo that it is good to agree quickly; it being
profitable fo to do, both fpiritually and naturally.

Verfe 27. " Ye have heard that it was faid by
cc them of old time, Thou fhalt not commit adultery:

Verfe 28. " But I fay unto you, whofoever look-
c< eth on a woman to luft after her, hath committed
cc adultery with her already in his heart."

The law was againft adultery, but the gofpel is
againft luft; and where there is no luft, there can
be no adultery; for then the occafion of adultery is
taken away ; and the caufe being taken away, the
.effect of courfe ceafeth. Behold the chafte and pure
doctrine of Chrift, and his holy difpenfation, greatly
excelling the law or Mofaic difpenfation ! Our blef-
fed Saviour doth not admit of an unchafte or luftful
looking upon women ; much lefs of immodeft fal il
lations, touches, embraces, or difcourfes, which all
tend to beget luft in the hearts of men; and luft
conceived, brings forth fin ; and fin when finifhed,
brings forth death to the foul.

Verfe 29. " And if thy right-eye offend thee*
<c pluck it out, and caft it from thee; for it is pro-
*c fitable for thee that one of thy members fnould
<c perifh, and not that thy whole body iliould be caft
** into hell.

Verfe 30. " And if thy right-hand offend thee,
cc cut it off, and caft it from thee; for it is profi-
<c table for thee that one of thy members fhould

* perifh,

'CHR'IST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 437-

*« perifli, and not that thy whole body fhould be
<c caft into hell."

Chrift compares the finful lufts and inclinations,
Which are the caufe of men's deftruction, and their
being caft into hell, to a right-eye, or a right-hand,
two of the moft ufeful and ferviceable members of
the body, not that he intended that we fhould cut
off our natural members, but that we fhould cut off
thefe finful lufts, and caft them from us, though they
were as a right-eye, or hand. Now obferve, it is
very much againft nature, and very painful to pull
out an eye, or to cut off an hand ; fo fin, of many
kinds, is very agreeable to nature, or the natural
man, and it is very hard for him to part with it ; he
pleads the ufe of it, and when Chrift, the Phyfician
of the foul, comes to put his incifton knife to it
(which is his word) poor man is too apt to fly from
it, and to fhrink from under its holy ftroke : the
holy baptift John, underftanding our Lord's do&rine,
and being fenfible of the powerful working of thrift's
word and Spirit, fays, "Now is the ax laid to the
cc root of the tree, therefore every tree which bring-
tc eth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and caft
<c into the .fire;" which fire is nothing lefs than hell,
which, without repentance and amendment of life,
will be our portion.

Verfeji. " It hath been faid, whofoever flialf
« put away his wife, let him give her a writing of
ci divorcement.

Verfe 32. <c But I fay unto you, that whofoever
" lhall put away his wife, laving for the caufe of
" fornication, caufeth her to commit adultery, and
<c whofoever (hall marry her that is divorced, com-
** miteth adultery."

The great Hufband of fouls here plainly fheweth,
that hufbands fhould be tender to their wives; and
his apoftle fays, " Be not bitter againft them." Men
and their wives ought to live together in lovej and

E e 3 b*

438 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

be good examples to their children and fervants, and
not part from one another, except for the caufe of
fornication ; and that fhould be proved ; for ibrne
men are only jealous of their wives, and fome with
out a caufe, and where there is a caufe, as a man
may think, it ought to be clearly proved before they
part from one another; a man ought to be tender of
his wife as of his own body, cc For they two are one
<c flefh." Men and their wives are often too apt to
magnify one another's faults, and put the worft con-
iiructions upon each others words and actions, when
they differ, which widens breaches in (lead of heal
ing them : whereas love and true charity, and put
ting the beft and not the worft conftrudion on things,
would chafe away wrath, ftrife, and hatred ; and
though Mofcs gave the Jews that permifiion of di
vorcement for the hardnefs of their hearts, yet
Chriftians ought to live fo, that there (hould be no
need of it among them. And if Chriftians do part
upon the account of fornication (for they are not
permitted to part on any other account by Chrift, as
above) they are to marry no more while each other
live •, for if they do, they are pronounced by Chrift
to be adulterers and adulterefies.

Verfe 33. 4C Again ye have heard, that it hath
cc been faid by them of old time, Thou fhalt not
cc forfwear thyfelf, but ihalt perform unto the Lord
<c thine oaths.

Verfe 34. <c But I fay unto you, Swear not at all,
" neither by heaven, for it is God's throne :

Verfe 35. cc Nor by the earth, for it is his foot-
« ftool: neither by Jerujakm, for it is the city of
<c the great King.

Verfe 36. " Neither fhalt thou fwear by thy
<c head, becaufe thou canft not make one hair white
« or black,

Verfe

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 439

Verfe 37. tc But let your communication be yea,
" yea, nay, nay ; for whatfoever is more than thefe,
<c cometh of evil."

It was allowed to the Jews to vow to the Lord,
and fwear by his Name, provided they performed
their vows and oaths. But here our Lord prohibits
and difallows, or abolifhes all fwearing, with an <c I
<c fay unto you, Swear not at all." Though our
fwearing Chriftians will have it, that he here pro
hibits only vain fwearing, or common fwearing,
which cannot be, becaufe the oaths he here fpeaks
of were folemn, and to the Lord. And the apoftle
James tells us, tc We mull not fwear by any oath."
Neither did the primitive Chriftians fwear at all;
and Chriftians ought to be fo juft in their converfa-
tions, as that their folemn words or promifes would
give them credit, without any need of oaths. If
occalion or need be, thou haft liberty to add yea to
thy yea, and nay to thy nay, or folemn words equi
valent to it ; and if more be evil, it muft alib be
evil to require more, and that is evil if it be more,
as all vows and oaths are, we have Chrift for our
author, a good foundation to build upon.

Verfe 38. " Ye have heard that it hath been faid,
<c An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

Verfe 39. " But I fay unto you, that ye reiift not
cc evil : but whofoever fhall fmite thee on thy right
<( cheek, turn to him the other alfo.

Verfe 40. cc And if any man will fue thee at the
<c law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy
" cloak alfo."

There was room and liberty, by the law of
for a man to revenge himfelf, if he had an
injury done to him, but Chrift teaches patient f of
fering; we are not to give any offence, but we are
to take them quietly for his fake, in which Jefus was
an excellent example to us, whofe fufferings was not
for himfelf, but for us ; he turned his cheek to the
E e 4 finiter,

44O SOMEOBSERVATIONS ON

fmiter, and his face to thofe that plucked off the
hair: but to a man of courage and choler, this in
deed is no fmall crofs; but he muft deny hirnfelf,
and take up Chrift's crofs daily, and follow him, if
he will be his difciple. And as for the law, it is bet
ter never to meddle with it, in a general way ; and
if thy coat by law is taken away, thou had better
give him thy cloak, than ftand out another trial with
him: and it is much if thou art not a gainer by fo
doing. But the gain is not urged as the bed mo
tive; but obedience to Chnft our great Lord and
good Mailer, who faid, " If ye love me, keep my
<c commandments."

Verfe 41. <c And whofoever fhall compel thee to
€f go a mile, go with him twain. s>

It can hardly be fuppofed than any would take the
pains to force or violently compel a man to go a
mile with him,unlefs on fome extraordinary occafion :
but many times through our perfuafion, or much
invitation, one may be in that fenfe compelled to do
that which one is not inclined to, and in fuch cafe*
\ve are to be liberal in anfwering the love and good
will of our friend, fo compelling of us : for love
begets love, and cannot eafily be withftood, as in the
parable of the wedding, or marriage-fupper ; they
•were to be compelled to come to it ; we are not to
tmderfland by outward conftraint or cruelty, -but by
the force and power of love; divine love has a great
power, and is of a compelling nature according to
this diftinclion and confideration ; and then w«
fhould be unkind and ungrateful, if we did not an-
fwer with fuitable returns.

Verfe 42. " Give to him that afketh thee, and
<f from him that would borrow of thee, turn not
«' thou away/'

We are here to fuppofe the afker to be in real
want and neceiftty, and the borrower alfo to ftand in
need, and the aiked to be in a capacity, and of abi
lity

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 44*

lity to fupply and aiTift the afker and borrower; and
then in fuch caie we are by no means to refufe to
o-ive to him that aiketh, nor to turn away from him
That would borrow of us ; and if we are not in a ca
pacity to fupply, then to ufe mild and friendly ex-
prefliDns; for Chriftians ihould be courteous and
kind to all, and particularly to the diftrefied. And
if we think that the afkers or borrowers are not
worthy or deferving for their own fakes, we ihould,
if need be, give and lend for Chriil's fake, and in
obedience to him, though it crofs our own incii-

' Verfe 43. <c Ye have heard that it hath been faid,
<c Thou (halt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
« enemy.

Verfe 44. cc But I fay unto you, Love your ene-
" mies, blefs them that curie you, do good to them
« that hate you, and pray for them which defpite-
<( fully ufe you, and perfecute you.

Verfe 45. " That ye may be the children of your
« Father which is in heaven, for he maketh his fun
<f to rife upon the evil, and on the good, and fendeth
« rain on the juft, and on the unjuft."

The Hebrews had liberty to hate their enemies,
but we have not underftoo.d that ever any people, by
any difpenfation, had any liberty to hate their neigh
bours or friends : fo that thofe that are in that ft ate,
are far beyond the line of truth. But fays our holy
Law-giver, " I fay unto you, love your enemies."
If we love our enemies, we can in no wife deftroy
them, although it were in our power. Again, " Blefs
<c them that curfe you." But alas! how apt are
men (and even thofe who would think it hard to be
told they are difobedient to Chrift) to render rail
ing for railing, and curling for curfing, inftead of
blefling. (" Do good to them that hate you.") If
we are fenfible of any body that hates us, and have
.real dernonftranQn qf it, for fometimes we imagine

it

442 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

It when it is not fo, yet are we to do them all the
good turns we can. (tc And pray for them which de-
fpitefully ufe you, and perfecute you.") Thus we are
not to render evil for evil, but to overcome the evil
with that which is good. Sweet was our Lord's ex
ample to us in this, when he faid, " Father forgive
" them, for they know not what they do. " If fpite-
ful perfecutors did really know what they do, when
they perfecute the juft, their damnation muft needs
be very great ; but if we do good for evil, as Chrift
hath taught, then are we the children of our heaven
ly Father, " who maketh his fun to rife on the evil
" and on the good, and fendethrain on the juft, and
*c on the unjuft."

Verie 46. cc For if ye love them which love you,
" what reward have ye ? Do riot even the Publicans
c« the fame?

Verfe 47. <e And if ye falute your brethren only,
<c what do you more than others f Do not even the
« Publicans fo ?"

Our virtue is much more fhining in loving thofe
who do not love us, than in loving thofe that do ;
and it is natural for us to love thofe that love us, and
we fhould be ungrateful if we did not : but the re
ward is greater, if we love them that do not love us,
which muft be manifefted in deeds as well as words:
for faying and doing, fometimes are two things ;
which made the apoftle fay, <c Our love muft not be
<c with word and with tongue only, but in deed and
" in truth." Alfo Publicans (men by the Jews
ranked with finners, when they faid, he eateth with
Publicans and finners) they do fo, i. e. love thofe
that love them.

And as to friendly and hearty falutations, that
may be neceflary or needful, we ihould not only
manifeft them to our brethren, but as occafion re
quires to all, it being a fhining virtue in Chriftians
to be kind to ftrangers, and xo fhew forth a gene
rous

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 443

rous and loving temper and deportment to fuch as
may not be of us 5 though not by a flattering, mo-
difh, or complimental way, yet hearty and refpect-
ful, according to the plainneis of Chrift, and the
fimplicity of his gofpel, without refpect of perfons,
refpect being generally, or too generally, fhewn to
high more chan to them of low degree. As we are
not to refufe our friendly faiutations to the great,
or rich, fo we are not to neglect the poor, for the
Publicans do fo.

Verfe 48. 'c Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
" Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Chrift would have us to be perfect in the practice
of his doctrine, and to live up to it in perfect obe
dience, according to the beft of our judgments, and
understandings, and not to do his work by halves,
but honeftly, and perfectly, according to the meafure
of grace received, fome having received twice, fome
thrice fo much as fome others, as the parable of the
talents plainly fheweth : fo that what difcoveries or
manifeftations of grace, light or truth, we have
received, we ought to walk up to them perfectly;
cc Even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
As the Almighty is perfect in his love, juftice, mer
cy, grace, and truth, unco poor mortals, in Chrift
Jefus, his only begotten, and in all his works j fo
ought we to be perfect in our known duty : as it is
•written " Ye fliall be holy, for 1, the Lord your
<c God, am holy." So muft we be according to our
degree of grace received.

It is fuppofed, nobody will imagine that any
mortal can come up in degree with the Almighty,
but according to our meafure, gift, and degree of
grace received, we are to be holy and perfect, as
God, our heavenly Father, and Chrift, our dear
Lord, is fo in fulnefs.

CHAP. vi. Verfe t. « Take heed that ye do not
cc your alms before men, to be feen of them, other-

" wife

444 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

cc wife ye have no reward of your Father which is
<c in heaven.

Verfe 2. cc Therefore when thou doft thine alms,
c< do not found a trumpet before thee, as the hypo-'
cc crites do, in the fynagogues, and in the ftreets,
" that they may have glory of men ; verily I fay
ic unto you, they have their reward.

Verfe 3. «' But when thou doft alms, let not thy
" left-hand know what thy right-hand doth :

Verfe 4. <c That thine alms may be in fecret,
cc and thy Father which feeth in fecret, himfelf fhall
cc reward thee openly."

The Chriftian religion, in its purity, according
to the doctrine of the founder of it, is a compaf-
fionate religion, and full of pity, as well as piety ;
it is a holy connpofition of charity, and goodnefs.
The apoftle thus defcribes it : the " pure religion,
" and1' that which is cc undefiled before God and the
cc Father, is this, To vifit the fatherlefs, and widows,
" in their affliction -, and to keep himfelf unfpotted
<c from the world." This is pure religion, and this
is the Chriftian religion ; happy are thofe who walk
up to it, and live according to the precepts of him
•who dictated them -, then the widows, and the father
lefs, would not be neglected ; the poor would be
very generouily taken care of, and our garments kept
clean; and all done as fecretly as may be-, for when
we proclaim our alms-deeds, and charity, we lofe
our reward from our heavenly Father; alfo when
alms is given, it ought 10 be done in the fpirit of
love, and meeknefs, and fo received ; elfe the re
ceiver lofes a fecond benefit, and the giver his hea
venly reward. To give to the poor is to lend to him
that made us, and we fhall have good and greatermea-
iure returned us again. If we hope to have the gates
of Chrift's kingdom opened to us at laft, our hearts
muft alfo be opened to the poor and needy, when in
diftrefs j remembering the words of Chrift, where he

fays

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 445

fays to Tome who were waiting for, and wanting an
entrance into the kingdom, faying, " Lord, Lord,
" open unto us;" he tells them, " I was hungry,
" and ye gave me no meat ; I was naked, and ye
« cloathed me not ; I was fick, and in prifon, and
« ye vifited me not." They anfwered, " Lord,
cc when faw we thee hungry, naked, fick, or in
<c prifon, and did not feed thee, cloath thee, and
cc vifit thee ?" He anfwers : <c In as much as ye did
" it not to one of thefe" which believe in my name;
" ye did it not to me." He fympathizeth with his
pooreft and meaneft members, whatever others do,
and takes that done to them as done to himfelf,
whether it be good or bad. We fliould be good to
all, but efpecially to Chrift's members, or the houf-
hold of the faithful keepers of his commandments;
and alms-deeds have the approbation of goodnefs
from the \iniverfal tcftimony of all men, in a general
way. Our alms being thus diftributed according to
our ability, and the neceflities of the object, without
oftentation, in fecret, our munificent Father, who
fees in fecret, will openly reward us.

How many rich men are there in the world, who
have made great and coftly entertainments for their
rich friends, neighbours, and relations (and if their
fubftance be fo'great, that it is not felt by them)
they had the more need to remember the poor :
when they never fo much as fpare the tithe of it to
them, though the poor have ten times the need of
it, and though Chrift fays, « When thou makeft a
(C feaft, invite not thy rich friends, for they will in-
« vite thee again; but call the poor, the lame and
« the blind/' &c.

Verfe 5. £C And when thou prayed, thou fhalt

" not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray

" {landing in the fynagogues, and in the corners of

, " the (Ireets, that they may be feen of men; verily

« I fay unto you, they have their reward,

;Verfe

446 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

Verfe 6. " But thou, when thou prayeft, enter
cc into thy clofet, and when thou haft fhut thy door,
4C pray to thy Father which is in fecret, and thy
" Father which feeth in fecret fhall reward thee
<c openly.

Verfe 7. c< But when ye pray, ufe not vain repe-
" titions, as the heathen do : for they think they
" fhall be heard for their much fpeaking.

Verfe 8. cc Be not ye therefore like unto them :
<c for your Father knoweth what things ye have need
*c of, before you afk him/'

Prayer is abfolutely needful for the being and
well-being of an inward reformed Chriftian: an out-
fide formal Chriftian may ufe the form, though un-
reformed; but it availeth but little without refor
mation. And private prayer, according to Chrift's
rule, is effectual and rewardable, agreeable to his
doclrine. He alfo fpeaks againft hypocrify, and
loving to be feen of men, with a command not to be
like unto them. cc But thou, when thou prayeft,
<c enter into thy clofet." When we feel, and are
fenfible of a divine call, this muft of courfe be the
right and bed time (for Chrift has not fet us a dif-
tinct hour) then we are to enter into the clofet of an
humble heart or mind, or fome fecret place in pri
vate. This is Chrift's order for particular perfons
in a general way ; but is not intended to prevent
fuch who are rightly concerned to pray in the pub-
lick afiemblies, or gathering of the church; for we
have Chrift for our example, who prayed openly and
publickly with his difciples.

cc But when ye pray, ufe not vain repetitions, a's
<c the heathen do; for they think to be heard for their
cc much fpeaking." Formal repetitions of prayer,
repeated day by day, when they are not according,
but contrary, to the ftates of thofe to whom they are
read or repeated, muft needs be vain, and people
may vainly make ufe of the Lord's own form in that

cafe

CHRIST 's SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 447

cafe (though it is the beft in the world) and to think
to be heard for their much fpeaking, is to run into
an error of the Heathen. " Be not ye," fays Chrift,
<c therefore like unto them; for your Father knoweth
" what things ye have need of, before ye afk him."
Prayer is a gift from God, and from Chrift, and as
we wait on God in ChriiVs name and power, he will
give us that gift, when he fees we (land in need of
it, or it will be for our edification -, for he has pro-
mifed to pour out the fpirit of prayer, and of fup-
plication, upon his people. And our great apoftle
faid, " If he prayed, he would pray with the fpirit."
In another place he fays, " We know not what we
<c fhould pray for, as we ought ; but the Spirit itfelf
" maketh interceffion for us with groanings that
" cannot be uttered." Likewife the fame apoftle
fays, cc The Spirit alfo helpeth our infirmities.4'
Thole had not found out the way of reading prayers
unto the people in common, neither of making of
them •, though it will be acknowledged that they had
as much of the mind of Chrift, as any of our modern
prayer-makers or fayers; and fince there is no form
like that of Chrift's, it is here fet down, that people
might take diligent care to learn it, and to teach it
to their children. But if they learn it rightly, they
muft alfo learn to live in it : that is, live according
to it >, otherwife they will mock, inftead of ferving
him, that made both it and them for his own
honour, and the glory of his name.

Verfe 9. <c After this manner therefore pray ye :
cc Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy
<e name.

Verfe 10. " Thy kingdom come: Thy will be
ct done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Verie n. " Give us this day our daily bread.

Verfe 12. " And forgive us our debts, as we for-
*c give cur debtors.

Verfe

448 So M E OBSERVATION s on

Verfe 13. <c And lead us not into temptation,
" but deliver us from evil •, for thine is the king-
" dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

Verfe 14. Cf For if ye forgive men their trefpafTes,
cc your heavenly Father will alfo forgive you.

Verfe 15. <l But if ye forgive not men their tref-
<c paflfes, neither will your Father forgive your tref-
« paffes."

A fhort form, and but few words, but of excel
lent compofition. And truly happy are thofe, who
live fo in their converfation, that they may, when
they ufe them, do it without falfhood, 'or deceit >
enjoying the anfwer of peace in the pradtice of them,
and the fenfe of grace influencing the foul.

ift, " Our Father which art in heaven." The
great Creator is indeed our univerfal Father, hath
made us all, and all nations, of one blood; but there
is another, a nearer relation than this, to be a child
of God by regeneration; for otherwife, if we live
in an unregenerate ftate, in our natural fins and lulls,
all which are of Satan, then Chrift fays, " Ye are
ic of your father the devil ; and the lufts of your fa-
*c ther ye will do ;" a (irong reafon : but in another
place, tc Whofoever fnall do the will of my Father
ic which is in heaven, the fame is my brother, and
<c fitter, and mother.3' It is into this relation that
the foul ought to come, that can truly and religi-
oufly fay, " Our Father/' &c.

2clly/ " Hallowed be thy name." Do we fanclify
the holy Name of the God of the whole earth ? Do
we religioufly obferve to fear and ferve him? Do we
prophane his awful name, by taking it in vain, and
living in fin and vanity ? Which initead of hallow
ing and fanclifying his Name, is to difhonour and
reproach it on our part, though he will hallow and
honour his own Name in juftice and judgment, on
prophane and ungodly livers, at the lafc day, when

he

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 449

Ke (hall come to judge the quick and the dead by
Jefus Chrift ; God will not be mocked ; fuch as
every one fows, fuch fhall they reap, whether fin
unto death, or righteoufnefs unto life.

3dly, " Thy kingdom come." His kingdom is
a kingdom of righteoufnefs. Happy fouls ! who
feek the righteoufnefs of it betimes, and continue in
it to the end. If this kingdom comes, Satan's,
which is a kingdom of fin and unrighteoufnefs, muft
needs fall.

Oh ! that the rifing generations might be ftrong
to overcome the wicked one, and to be inftruments
to pull down his kingdom, and promote the king
dom of God, and his Chrift; and if we do not be
lieve that Satan's power and kingdom may and
ought to be deitroyed in us, how can we pray with
out hypocrify for the coming of God's holy king
dom ? Believing we muft live and die in fin, is a
great fupport to Satan's kingdom, and a great hin
drance of the coming of the kingdom of the dear
Son of God.

4thly, cc Thy will be done in earth as it is in hea-
cc ven." Moft certainly the will of God is punc
tually and perfectly done in heaven ; hardly any who
makes ufe of this blefled form but believes it ; but
this is the mifery of many fouls, to believe it not
poffible for them to do God's will here on earth, as
it is done in heaven. So that fuch pray in unbelief^
or without a true faith 5 and the apoftle fays, cc What
" is not of faith is fin." Is it not alfo a kind of
charging Chrift with commanding that which cannon
be done ? It is worthy our fedate confideration.
He hath fown grace, and ought in juftice to reap it
from all mortals. The great Sower, Chrift, fows
in all forts of men or grounds : the grace of God ap
pears to all men, and teaches them to deny ungod-
linefs and worldly lufts, and that they fhould live
foberly, and righteoufly, and godly, in this prefent
F f world.

45° SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

world. But Antichrift teaches, that it cannot be
done here on earth as in heaven.

5thly, " Give us this day our daily bread/' We
not being capable without his bleffing of procuring
our bodies or fouls bread, either natural or fuper-
natural, and becaufe our fouls cannot live without
the laft, no more than our bodies without the firft,
therefore we ought to pray to our heavenly and moil
holy Father for both, without doubting; and this
fhould be done daily, either in words, holy fighing,
or fpirittial groans-, the Almighty knowing the lan
guage of the foul in the one, as well as the other.

6thly, " Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
<c debtors." Or, as one of the evangelifls hath it,
" our trefpaffes, as we forgive them that trefpafs
tc againft us ;" which is to the fame end and pur-
pofe; for if a debtor is indebted to us, and happens,
through fome accident or other, to be infolvent, and
have not wherewith to pay, we are to forgive him,
elfe how can we expect God to forgive us. For we
are all his debtors, and have nothing, that we can
call our own in a religious fenfe, to pay that great
debt, which we owe to him, our mighty creditor;
who might lawfully caft us into an eternal gaol.
But oh! his infinite mercy and love is very great to
us, poor mortals; and he would have us to imitate
him, and forgive one another, as we expect he
fhould forgive us. And fince offences and trefpaf-
fes will come, we muft forgive, and the more freely,
when the perfon offending fues by humble petition
to the offended for it; then if we forgive not,
neither will our heavenly Father forgive us our
trefpaffes.

ythly, cc And lead us not into temptation, but
«c deliver us from all evil; for thine is the king-
" dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
cc Amen."

That

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT; 451

That is, to lead us into truth and righteoufnefs,
•which is the fame with leading us out of fin, and out
of temptation : for we pray to be led out of it, by
praying not to be led into it; feeing we are not to
underftand that the Almighty will tempt any man to
evil. fc If," fays the apoftle, cf- any man is tempt-
tc ed, let him not fay he is tempted of God, for
"• God tempteth no man, but he is tempted when
<c he is drawn away of his own luft." Though
he doth fometimes permit and fufFer us to be tempt
ed, and when we fall into divers temptations, and
cfcape them, we have caufe to be joyful, and thank
ful that we are delivered out of them, and to give
the glory to God, who is the great preferver of men.
Whofe is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen.

Verfe 16. cc Moreover, when ye faft, be not as
<e the hypocrites, of a fad countenance, for they dif-
<c figure their faces, that they may appear unto men
cc to fa ft ; verily I fay unto you, they have their re-
*c ward.

17. " But thou, when thou fafteft, anoint thine
<c head, and wafh thy face.

Verfe 18. cc That thou appear not unto men to
" faft, but unto thy Father which is in fecret, and
« thy Father which feeth in fecret, fhall reward thee
cc openly."

Chritt would have all our works of piety, virtue,
and charity, all our religious duties, done in the
divine love and filial fear of God, and not for vain
glory, or orientation : and truly, without we expect
our reward from men, there is no need of an out
ward hypocritical fhew, infuch extraordinary duties,
as is that of fading, when truly called to it, and truly
performed; which the Jews were much in practice
of; and being but formal hypocrites, many of them,
in it, our Lord reprehends them, and wants his own
hearers to fhun the like deceit 5 and tells them, if
F f 2 they

452 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

they faft fecretly, their heavenly Father will reward
them openly ; yet we mud not be open fmners, nor
private ones neither ; for open or publick fin is dam
ning, if not repented of and forfaken, as well as pri
vate deceit.

Verfe 19. c< Lay not up for yourfelves treafure
" upon earth, where moth and ruft doth corrupt,
cc and where thieves break through and fteal.

Verfe 20. cc But lay up for yourfelves treafure in
<c heaven, where neither moth nor rufl do corrupt,
" and where thieves do not break through nor
« fteal.

Verfe. 21. " For where your treafure is, there
" will your heart be alfo."

Earthly treafures are very apt to take up the mind,
and to draw it from heaven, and becaufe Chrift would
have his children to be in heaven with him, in ten
der love he advifeth them not to lay up for them-
felves riches or treafure on earth. If it be faid we
lay it up for our children, it may be faid alfo, it is the
fame fnare to them, as to the parents, and fometimes
a greater; and when it is gotten, it is liable to many
cafualties, and creates a great deal of care and
trouble ; wherefore Chrift tenderly advifeth to feek
after, and lay up another treafure, of another nature,
in another, and a fafer, and better place, which will
not be liable to the like cafualties of the former
treafure and place, and urgeth us to it, with this
great reafon ; cc For where your treafure is, there
<c will your heart be alfo." Oh! may every true
Chriftian's treafure and heart be there for ever.

Verfe 22. cc The light of the body is the eye;
" if therefore thine eye be fingle, thy whole body
« {hall be full of light.

Verfe 23. cc But if thine eye be evil, thy whole
« body (hall be full of darkncfs : If therefore the
cc light which is in thee be darknefs, how great is
« that darknefs."

It

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 453

It is not good to look on men nor things, with
an evil eye; but fmgly to look on one's felf and
others, in the fear of God, having a fingle and fingu-
lar eye to his glory; and then being enlightened by
his divine light, we fhall difcern between good and
evil ; whereas, if there be any double dealings, or
looking or thinking ; or if ungodly felf be in the
bottom, and not the glory of God ; then our light
is turned into darknefs, and that darknefs will be very
great ; as it is faid in the holy Scriptures, " A double
*c minded man is unftable in all his ways:" fo that
our Saviour's dodtrine is good ; to have a fingle
eye, and to avoid all double dealing.

Verfe 24. cc No man can ferve two matters : for
e< either he will hate the one, or love the other ; or
<f elfe he will hold to the one, and defpife the other :
cc Ye cannot ferve God and mammon."

We cannot give our hearts to God, and to this
world, and the things of it alfo, fo as to fet our
affedtions on both, as faith the apoflle, " If any man
<c love the world, the .love of the Father is not in
" him." And again, " The love of money, is the
" root of all evil;" i.e. the inordinate love of it,
and feeking after it, and ferving of, and for it, more
than for our Maker and Saviour. Then let us def
pife the world, and the things of it, in comparifon
of our God, and our Saviour. We do not under-
{land by thofe words of Chrift, that he intended to
debar us from feeking a comfortable accommodation
for ourfelves and families, in this world ; but that
we fhould not fet our hearts and affedlions upon it ;
for we cannot equally affecl: both heaven and earth.

Verfe 25. " Therefore I fay unto you take no
" thought for your life, what ye fliall eat, or what
" ye fhall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye
c< fhall put on : Is not the life more than meat, and
" the body than raiment ?

F f 3 Yerfe

454 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

Verfe 26. " Behold the fowls of the air : for they
<c fow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into
cc barns ; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
" Are ye not much better than they ?"

Chrlft would have us without anxious thoughts
about our livings in this world, i. e. about our eat
ing, drinking, and cloathing, and tells us, that the
" life is more than meat>, and the body than rai-
<c ment j" by which he fhews us, that he which gave
the life, will, by his providence, fupport it ; and as
he hath formed the body, he will form that which
muft feed it ; and that we might the more depend
upon God's providence, he brings us to learn, or
teaches us by the fowls of the air, who neither fow
nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet their great
Creator feedeth them •, and afks, If we are not much
better than they? So that we being more noble
creatures, need not doubt of the care and provi
dence of God, and his bleiTing on the labour of our
hands; though our hearts are not concerned unne-
ceffarily about it, but we have freely given them to
God, and to his Chrift, our Saviour.

Verfe 27. " Which of you by taking thought
fc can add one cubit to his flature ?"

The farmers or planters cannot, by their thought-,
fulnefs, caufe their corn, fruits, nor cattle to mul
tiply or grow; nor the tradefman his cullom,
goods, or bufmefs (without a proper application,
which our Saviour is not againft) only he would have
us without an incumbered and over-caring mind.
The merchant like wife, by all his thoughtfulnefs,.
cannot bring home his fhip from far, nor carry her
fafe to her defired port. All things on this wife
are in the hand of Almighty God, and it is our duty
to trufl in him, and to depend upon his divine pro
vidence, for meat, drink, and cloathing, for happi-
nefs here, and hereafter, for ever,

Verfe

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 455

Verfe 28. cc And why take ye thought for rai-
cc ment? Coufider the lilies of the field how they
" grow; they toil not, neither do they fpin.

Verfe 29. " And yet I fay unco you, that even
" Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one
" of thefe.

Verfe 30. cc Wherefore if God fo clothe the grafs
« of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is
« can: into the oven, (hall he not much more clothe
" you, Oh! ye of little faith ?

Verfe 31. " Therefore take no thought, paying,
" what fhall we eat, or what (hall we drink, or
« wherewithal fhall we be clothed ?

Verfe 32. (" For after all thefe things the Gentiles
" feek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye
" have need of all thefe things/'

Many people now, as well as then, are very fond
of their cloathing, and love to be gay and fafhio li
able therein, and fome are not a little proud of their
clothes, and are not a little thoughtful how they may
deck themfeJves to be admired : when our plain
Lord, who wore a vefture without a feam, fends^us
to the lily to confider her beauty and glory, and in
nocent thoughtlefnefs, declaring, thatSolottooto, in all
his grandeur and fjplendor, was not arrayed like one
of thefe : for this is a natural fweetnefs and gaiety
that the lily is clad with 3 but Solomons, as is alfo
rnoft men and womens, is generally but artificial :
well, if God fo clothe the grafs of the earth, will he
not clothe us : if we believe not, we mud have but
very little faith. So that it would be much better
for us to confult how we fhall do to pleafe God, and
honour him, and his holy Son, and divine name,,
than to confult what we fhall eat or drink, or how,
or wherewith we (hall be cloathed, which things the
Gentiles fought after, more than after God. But we
knowing that our heavenly Father fecth that we have

F f 4 need

456 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

need of all thefe things, fhould chiefly leave it to
him, and firft feek his kingdom and righteoufnefs.

Verfe 33. cc But feek ye firft the kingdom of God,
" and his righteoufnefs, and all thefe things ihall
«c be added to you.

Verfe 34. " Take therefore no thought for the
<c morrow : for the morrow fhall take thought for
" the things of itfelf : fufficient unto the day is the
" evil thereof,"

Here is a glorious gofpel promife ; upon feeking
the kingdom of God, and his righteoufnefs, all thefe
things fhall be added to us, viz. meat, drink, and
raiment, the neceflary things that we want, to fup-
port us in thefe lower regions, or while we are here
in this world; but then, withal, let us remember it
muft be our firft work, it muft be the chief defire of
our fouls j it muft be firft in feveral fenfes-, firft, as
to our young and tender years; firft in the morning
of every day; firft, in refpect of, and before all
other things; firft, as it hath pleafed God to give
us a being in this world, and being in the prime
and flower of our years, we fhould then devote our
fouls to God, and his work and fervice, and enter
into covenant with him, with full purpofe of heart,
and defign of foul, to keep the fame truly and invio
lably ; for it would be better not to make covenant,
than to make it, and break it ; neither fhould we
flight or put off the work of God till we are old, and
in our declining years -, as though we gave him the
refufe, and broken end of our days, and conclude,
it will better become me when I am old to ferve him:
Oh, no ! learn the fear of God truly, and praclife it
when thou art young, and thou wilt not eafily depart
from it when thou art old : as thou wilt find it hard
to get into a ho.ly life and converfation, when thou
haft been fpending thy youth in folly and vanity:
cc Remember thy Creator therefore in the days of thy
t* youth, before the evil day come." The autumn

of

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 457

of man's years is here in divers refpects called the
evil day : oh ! it is exceeding fweet and precious to
fee and be fenfible of an innocent life, and modeft,
fober converfation, in youth ; when they are in
their blooming, flowery years, to be fcented with
grace, and truth, muft needs be affecting.. When
youth are laden with fruits of grace, and of the holy
Spirit, how pleafant is the tafte of it; it generally
relifhes well with all men, and naturally brings
praife to God, as well as peace to the foul. May
the youth of this prefent generation, as alfo genera
tions to come, be fuch holy plants, that God's right-
hand may be feen in planting them : when after be
ing fruitful, and doing the work and fervice of their
day, and anfwering the noble end of God in making
and planting them here in this world, they may be
transplanted into the eternal kingdom of heaven ;
which, doubtlefs, they will, who firft feek his king
dom, and the righteoufnefs of it.

2dly, If we conflder that our life and being is
daily granted to us, and we fupported by the good-
nefs and providence of Almighty God every day, it
is but juft that he Ihould have the firft or prime of
our thoughts in the morning of the day ; and he, be
ing the firft and the laft, ought to be laft, as well as
the firft, in our thoughts, alfo in the evening. The
royal pfalmift faith, " If I prefer not Jerufalem be-
<c fore my chiefeftjoy, then let my right-hand for-
<c get its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the
*c roof of my mouth;" much more ought we to
prefer our Creator to all things, and to have our
thoughts on him, firft and foremoft in all things,
and every day. "

3dly, For what are the things of this world in
comparifon of thofe that are to come, all thefe are
fading and tranfitory ; but the things of that which
is to come, are durable and permanent ; and there
fore ought to be firft and chief in our minds. That

which

45$ SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

which is chief in our hearts, may be faid to have the
firft place there ; " One thing," fays a fervant of
God, " have I defired, and that will I feek after,
cc that I might dwell in the houfe of God all the
<c days of my life/' This was the firft or prime
thing, which he and we were, and are to feek for, and
after. As for the morrow, we need not be too
thoughtful or "anxious concerning or about it, for
we know not whether we fhall live to enjoy it, fo
that as Chrifl fays, " Sufficient unto the day is the
cc evil thereof.5'

Chap. vii. verfe i. cc Judge not, that ye be not
" judged;

Verfe 2. Cf For with what judgment ye judge, ye
cc fhall be judged ; and with what meafure ye mete,
cc it fhall be meafured to you again."

A great and wife expreflion, or fentence from a
righteous andjult Judge ; the Judge of heaven, and
of earth, to whom all power in both is given ; by
which we may eafily perceive we are to be very
careful in our judgment and cenfures of others, and
that we are not rafli and cenforious therein ; con-
fidering that with what judgment we judge our
neighbours, or fellow-mortals, with fuch fhall we
alfo be judged ourfelves, and that meafure which we
meafure out to others, fhall be filled to us again,
when it comes to our turn to be judged or cenfured
by others, for any thing which we have done or laid*
we are ready then to cry out for charity; are we fa
careful to be charitable in our judging and ceniur-
ing others ?

It is better to fufpend perfonal judgment, without
we could fee the hearts of men ; and if we think we
do, then to imitate God and Chrift, who mixes mer
cy and love with judgment ; rafhnefs and extremes
in judgment, being commonly hurtfuU

Verfe

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 459 '

Verfe 3. " And why beholdeft thou the mote that
*c is in thy brother's eye, but confidereth not the
<6 beam that is in thine own eye ?

Verfe 4. " Or how wilt thou fay to thy brother,
«c let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, and
« behold a beam is in thine own eye.

Verfe 5. <c Thou hypocrite, firft caft out the beam
<c out of thine own eye, and then (halt thou fee clear-
cc ly to caft out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Moft true it is, that the tranfgreffions of others are
moil affii&ing tothofe who fear God, and this is not
intended to hinder the good from reproving the evil ;
but fhews, that we muft be clear of evil in ourfelves
when we reprove others, elfe the guilt of hypocrify
will be, and is by Chrift caft upon us, and laid at our
door. We are more to look at our own failings,
than at the failings of others ; and to takefpecial care
that we are clear of that which we reprove others for ;
and is it not deceit, to fet up for reformers of others,
when there are great defects in ourfelves ? It is too
general a fault in poor mortals to be quicker fighted
to fee the faults of others, than their own. It is
worthy reciting our Saviour's words to the Jews, who
brought the woman taken in adultery to him, and
told him, By their law (he ought to die ; he aniwers,
<c He that is without fin, let him caft the firft ftone at
<c her." So they being guilty, and convicted of fin
in their own consciences, left her to Chrift, and went
their way : and when we have done what we can to
convince others of iin, we muft leave them to Chrift
at laft ; whether we are in (in, or without it ; but we
fhall be the better able to help to reform others, if
we are clear from guilt in our hearts.

Verfe 6. 'c Give not that which is holy to dogs,
" neither caft ye your pearls before fwine, left they
<c trample them under their feet, and turn again and
" rent you."

When

460 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

When we fee the biting and perfecuting nature,
and dirty felfifh fpirit of men, it is to little purpofe
generally, to caft before them the precious pearl of
truth, or to fhew unto them the deep myfteries of
the kingdom of God, or the light of life, they be
ing in a brutifh fpirit ; but when people are fober,
and fhew forth humanity and moderation, then are
holy things valuable to them, and the things of
Chrift's kingdom, and his do&rine, precious in their
eyes, or efteem : wherefore it greatly behoveth
Chrift's minifters to minifter that to the people which
is fuitable for them, and rightly to divide between
the precious and the vile, and to give to every one
their portion, according to their deeds ; mercy to
whom mercy, and judgment to whom judgment be
longs ; without partiality, and without hypocrify or
deceit ; and not to flatter and daub thofe who are in
the doggiih and fwinifh nature.

Verfe 7. " Afk, and it fliall be given you ; feek,
cc and ye fliall find -, knock, and it fhall be opened
<c unto you.

Verfe 8. " For every one that afketh, receiveth ;
€C and he that feeketh, findeth j and to him that
" knocketh, it lhall be opened.

Verfe 9. <c Or what man is there of you, whom if
cc his fon afk bread, will he give him a ftone ?

Verfe 10. 4C Or if he afk a fifh, will he give him a
" ferpent ?

Verfe u. " If ye then, being evil, know how to
cc give good gifts to your children, how much more
<c fhall your Father which is in heaven give good
cc things to them that afk him ?"

Our kind and tender Redeemer would ftir up and
provoke fouls to prayer and fupplication ; he has
been liberal in his holy advice 3 and to ftir us up to
it, here are moving expreflions, if thy heart be open
to receive them : can we have eafier terms if we were
to make them ourfelves with the Lord, than to afk,

and

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 461

and have ; feek, and find ; knock, and the gates are
opened ; provided we afk in faith tenderly, and feek
in humility, and knock with divide wifdom and
fubmifiion ? Our Lord's own practice Ihews that we
ihould be tender, fubmifiive, and fervent in prayer;
and then the fervent prayer of the righteous availeth
much with the Lord. Chrift urgeth us to it, and
brings ourfelves for example; " What man is there
<c among you, who if his fon afk bread, or a fifh,
cc will he give him a flone, or a ferpent ?" Surely
no : no father would deal thus with his child ; but
when his child is hungry, and wants and aiks bread,
he gives it to him : fo when the Almighty fees our
hunger, and we tenderly feek divine afliftance and
refrefhment from him, he, in his own time fatisfies
fuch fouls with bread from above, and the thirity
with living water out of the wells offalvation : oh !
blefled be his holy name for evermore. Evil men
know how to give good things to their children,
therefore we may well conclude, that our heavenljr
Father knows how to give with much more dtfcre-
tion and underftanding, the good things of his king
dom, to true, afking, feeking, knocking, or praying
fouls.

Verfe 12. "Therefore all things whatfoever ye
" would that men fhould do unto you, do even fo
" to them ; for this is the law and the prophets."

Well may this be called the GOLDEN RULE; for
if we fquare our lives and adtions'by it, it will cer
tainly mete us out the true way to happinefs and
glory. We are generally apt to fay, when any one
doth ill to another, " Would he be willing to be fo
" ferved himfelf ?" And if we followed this rule in
all our concerns, it would be well ; whether in re
lation to publick or private bufmefs; whether in
trade or religion, or in our domeftick affairs : the
law and the prophets point at it, and our Saviour
plainly lays it down for a rule for us to walk by.

Verfe

SOM.E O B SE RVAT JO N S ON

Verfe 13. <f Enter ye in at the ftrait gate; fof
<c wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that lead-
" eth to deftrudion, and many there be which go
" in thereat.

Verfe 14. cc Becaufe flrait is the gate, and narrow
cc is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there
« be that find it."

It is afflicting to confider how natural it is for
people to walk in this broad way, and they who
walk in it are many ; for here is room for people to
walk if they are proud, whoremongers, adulterers,
thieves, fwearers, liars, drunkards, covetous, or in
any other evil courfe of life, this broad way hath
room enough in it for them to walk in ; but let them
know it leadeth to deftrudlion, and the end is eternal
mifery, and their many companions will adminifter
no confolation to them, when they lift up their eyes
in hell. And whereas the way that leads to life, is
called ftrait; it is only ftrait to flefh and blood, or
the will of unregenerate men : oh ! it is a pleafant
way, exceeding pleafant, when brethren walk toge
ther in love and unity. The enemy of mankind
would perfuade fouls that it is narrower than it really
is, when they have fome faint inclinations to make
trial of it. It may truly be faid, that c< BlerTed are
" the undefiled in this ftrait and narrow way, who
** walk in the law of the Lord :" for " His ways are
" ways of pleafantnefs, and all his paths are peace."
And although the way to the kingdom was ftrait and
narrow, yet there are hills and valleys therein as
well as plains, until we get through the gate to
glory : there fhall we know no more forrow, nor
pain -, but fhall praife and glorify God and the Lamb
lor ever.

Verfe 15. " Beware of falfe prophets, which come
" to you in flieep's clothing} but inwardly they are
;? ravening wolves,

Verfe

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 463

Verfe 16. cc Ye fhall know them by their fruits :
cc Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
<c thirties?

Verfe 17. <c Even fo every good tree bringeth
c< forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
" forth evil fruit.

Verfe 18. tc A good tree cannot bring forth evil
*c fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
Cf fruit.

Verfe 19. " Every tree that bringeth not forth
ic good fruit, is hewn down, and cad into the fire.

Verfe 20. " Wherefore by their fruits ye fhall
cc know them."

The great Shepherd and Bifhop of fouls, fhews
the care which he takes of his fheep, and forewarns
them to be careful of falfe prophets, and deceivers;
who though they may clothe themfelves with words
like the true ones, yet inwardly they would deftroy
all that do not join with, or receive them ; and
they are for biting the poor harmlefs fheep of Chrift,
and if they could, or it were in their power, would
devour them, their minds being in the ravening na
ture. But our holy, and all-wife Bifhcp, that we
might be preferved from them, tells us how we may
infallibly know them ; faying, " Ye fhall know them
<c by their fruits :" giving us to underrtand, the
reafonablenefs of his doctrine and afTerticn of know
ing <c them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes
<c of thorns, or figs of thirties," fays Chrift ? Surely
no. That is altogether unnatural, as well as unrea-
fonable and impoffible. In the grape there is a
fweet and pleafant nourifhment, thofe fruits being
cordial and wholefome; but it is bad meddling with
thirties and thorns, they being generally very unpro*
fitable to mankind, and hurt the good feed, wherever
they grow among it, Well, where muft we go for
the grapes, and the figs ? to be fure we muft go to
the vine, and the fig-tree : Chrift is the body of this

• vine,

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

vine, and his people are the branches, who bring
forth fuch fruit, according to the divine life and fap
which they receive, as he taught, and teaches to his
followers. So that if rriens words be like the words
of angels, if they have never fo great parts and en
dowments ; yet if their fruit be evil, if they live in
fin, and do iniquity, and bring forth the fruits of
malice and rage, or devouring perfecution, they then
'are none 'of Chrifl's fheep, though they may have
their clothing : " For every good tree bringeth forth
<c good fruit -, and a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
<c fruit.0 So if the fruit be evil, the tree is certain
ly corrupt. Our Lord elfewhere faith, cc Make the
c< tree good, and the fruit will be good alfoj" and
to be made truly good, fince we are all corrupt by
nature, and in the fall, we mud be cut off from that
nature, and grafted into Chrifl, who faid, " I am
<c the vine and ye are the branches :" and then our
lives and fruits will be changed. And then, " A
<c good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, nor can a
<c corrupt tree bring forth good fruit : and every tree
cc that bringeth forth not good fruit, is hewn down,
<c and call into the fire. " It would be very unnatu
ral, and a meer prodigy, for one tree to hew down
another, and cafb it into the fire, as they are natural
trees : but that ax, which John fpeaks of, will be
laid to the roots of the corrupt trees, and will hew
them down, and they will be caft into the fire, as
Chrifl fpeaks. This is not a deflroying the bodies
of men that Chrifl fpeaks of, but an inward work in
the foul, fhewing the powerful nature of the difpen-
fation of the gofpel of Chrifl, which is not material
cutting, or burning with material fire, or fword :
but Chrifl's word is a fire and fword to cut down
and burn up the evil nature in man. The apoflle
confirms this do6lrine of his Mafler thus, 'c He that
<c doth righteoufnefs is righteous, but he that finneth
cc is of the devil," The apoflle is plain and full, as

is

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 465

is Chrift, who repeats his doftrine over again, with,
" Wherefore by their fruits ye Ihall know them."

Verfe 21. " Not every one that faith unto me,
«' Lord ! Lord.! fhall enter into the kingdom of
" heaven ; but he that doth the will of my Father
" which is in heaven."

It is not our profefTion that will give us admit
tance into heaven, nor a name of religion, nor reli
gious performances, if we love fin and unrighteouf-
nefs, nor our praying, preaching, hearing, reading,
or difcourfing of, or arguing for Chrift, if we do
the works of Satan ; for there are many who may yec
go farther than this, and yet not have admittance
into the kingdom of God and our blefied Lord Jefus,
as is plainly manifeft in the next verfe.

Verfe 22. " Many will fay unto me in that day,
<c Lord, Lord, have we not prophefied in thy name,
« and in thy name have caft out devils, and in thy
<c name have done many wonderful works ?

Verfe 23. And then I will profefs to them I know
cc ye not; depart from me, ye that work iniquity/*

So that profciTmg Chrift's own name, and pro-
phefying therein, without working the works of
God, will not do. Nay, though they may caft out
devils, which indeed is a great work, and here is not
only one devil in the fmgular number, but devils
in the plural. They fay they have caft out devils,
and truly there are many devils in poor mortals
fometimes, as was faid by them to Chrift; " Our
<c name is Legion, for we are many." There are the
devils of pride, covetoufnefs, drunkennefs, whore
dom, theft, envy, murder, lying, i wearing, hypo-
crify, cheating, backbiting, &c. and abundance
more, which cannot eafily be named -, and though
it may be faid, and that truly, that all thefe proceed
from the devil, who is an evil fpirit ; yet it may al-
fo be faid, that there are many evil fpirits ; and if
jajl. thefe evil fpirits are caft oup of man, and others

G g of

466 SOME OBSERVATION SON

of an evil nature enter him again, his laft ftate is
worfe than his beginning, as Chrift fpeaks about the
ftrong man armed, who kept the houfe till a ftrong-
er than he came, who, when he came, fpoiled his
goods, and difpofiefTed him ; but coming again
found the houie, or heart, fwept and garnifhed,
fwept from many immoralities, and garnifhed with
felf-righteoufnefs and carnal fecurity; and the man
off his watch, and not at home with Chrift, who is
ilronger than Satan, he then re-enters, and feven
worie fpirits with him. So that we had need to be
on our watch, and keep near to Chrift, left after all
our experience, and wondrous works, our laft ftate
be worfe than our beginning, and we Ihut out of the
kingdom in the end. For thefe fay, that they had
done many wondrous works in Chrift's name : fo
that we may work miraculous things, and be fenfible
of wonderful power and ftrength from Chrift; and
yet without perfevering in the way of holinefs and
felf-denial, may fall fhort of heaven. Wherefore it
is bad, and of dangerous confequence, to live in fin
and iniquity ; or to lean towards it, fo as to plead
for it, or believe we cannot live without it while in
this world. For if we live and die in it, we may
juftly, according to the above doctrine of Chrift,
expect that he will fay unto us in the great day;
" Depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Verfe 24. " Therefore whofoever heareth thefe
<c fayings of mine, and doth them, I will liken him
cc to a wife man, which built his houfe upon a
" rock.

Verfe 25. <f And the rain defcended, and the
cc floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
*c that houfe, and it fell not : for it was founded
cc upon a rock."

Oh ! what abundance of excellent fayings, and
doctrine, what holy precepts has Chrift here recom
mended to the profefiors of his name, and to them

which

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 467

Which believe in him, and the Almighty Father and
maker of heaven artd earth. Surely we are greatly
beholden to our Lord Jefus Chrift for thofe plain di
vine fayings. But to commend them only is but
little, or to read them, or hear them : the keeping
and the doing of them is the main thing ; the thing
that is needful ; and to prefs the practice of them,
Jefus has made this apt companion.

ift, " He that hears them, and doth them, I will
<c liken him to a wife man :" and indeed it is great
wifdom to keep them (that isp to practife them) and
as great folly to live contrary to them; and plead
againft them.

adly. cc Who built his houfe upon a rock." This
rock is Chrift, the rock of ages, and his holy Spirit,
or the holy Ghoft, as Chrift faid to Peter , when
Chrift was revealed to him : " Flefh and blood has
cc not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which
" is in heaven :" " Thou art Peter;* (or a ftone or
rock) thou art a man, though thy name fignifies a
rock; and as thy name fignifies a rock, fo " on this
" rock will I build my church/' (that is, on the
Spirit of the heavenly Father, which revealed Chrift
to Peter) and the church of Chrift fo built, " the
cc gates of hell cannot prevail againft it/' And
Peter was one who heard thefe fayings, and did
them, when he had received the holy Ghoft or fpi-
rit; for which every true believer ought to pray
continually, until he receive it; through the help of
which he may, without doubt, keep thofe holy fay
ings. For of ourfelves without it, we cannot do
any real good, either in fpeaking, thinking, or
adting.

3dly. " And the rains defcended, and the floods
<c came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
<f houfe, and it fell not; becaufe it was founded
•c< on a rock.}> If rain from above be poured out in
wrath on man, for fin and iniquity, and floods of
G g 2 perfecution,

468 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON

perfecution, or the windy words of men come upon
this houfe, it will ftand: if ficknefs and death itfelf,
and many other ftorms, that we may meet with
here, in this low world, fhould beat againft our
building, we being built upon the Father, Son, and
holy Spirit, fhall furely ftand them all out, and live
through all, if we obferve to hear, or read Chrift's
fayings, and to pracYife the fame j then are we on
the rock, and (hall not fall for that reafon.

Verfe 26. " And everyone that heareth thefe fay*
cc ings of mine, and doth them not, (hall be likened
<c unto a foolifh man, which built his houfe upon
«c the fand.

Verfe 27. " And the rains defcended, and the
cc floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon
" that houfe, and it fell ; and great was the fall
« of it."

If we read or hear thefe fayings, or doctrine of
Chrift, and do not dwell in the life of it, nor pradtife
the fame, it were better we knew it not. For as our
Saviour faith, " Fie that knoweth his matter's will,
<c and doth it not, fhall be beaten with many
<c ftripes." And doubtlefs it is great folly to be
fcnfible of Chrift's holy will, and doclrine, and not
to do it : if we profefs Chriftianity, and to build our
profeflion on Chrift, and yet not obferve to keep
his fayings, the foundation of our building v/ill be
but very loofe and fandy 3 and when thofe rains, and
floods, and winds, which Chrift fpeaks of, fhall de-
fcend and come, and beat againft this building, it
rnuft needs fall, and the higher his building is, the
greater will be the fall of it.

Thus ended the beft fermon that ever was preach-,
t'd by man j in which is fet forth the great truths of
God, and our Lord Jefus Chrift, with bleflings and
rewards to the righteous, and holy believers in him,
who put in practice his precepts ; and reproof to the
difobedient and unfaithful $ with promifes of the,

kingdom.

CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 463

kingdom of heaven to the former, and to the latter
a being fliut out of it. And when he had ended his
do6trine fur that time, and finifhed his divine fayings,
the people were fmitten with it to admiration, as well
indeed they might.

Verfe 28. " And it came to pafs, when Jefus had
" ended thefe fayings, that the people were aftonifh-
" ed at his doctrine.

Verfe 29. cc For he taught them as one having
cc authority, and not as the Scribes ."

They were aflonifhed at his doctrine, and well
they might, for it excelled even the law, and went
beyond it, as when he tells them, it was faid of old
time, or in the law, cc Thou fhalt not kill :" he
taught that we muft not be angry without caufe.
And whereas the law gives liberty to hate our ene
mies; he charges us to love them, and pray for
them, and do good to them ; again the law prohi
bits adultery; Chrifl prohibits lufb, both in the eye>
and in the heart. And whereas the law commanded
to perform their oaths to the Lord; Chrift com
mands not to fwear at all. Now thofe who are not
angry, it is not likely they (hould kill ; thofe who
love their enemies, cannot hate or deftroy them ;
thofe who have not luft in their hearts or eyes, can
not commit adultery ; and thofe who never fwear,
cannot forfwear themfelves : all which he, with di
vine power and authority from above, taught. He
was not dry and formal like the Scribes: fo likewife
his minifters, and the preachers of his gofpel, friould
wait on him, to. be endued with a meafurc of his di
vine Spirit and holy grace, that the hearers might be
edified, and the Father, Son, and Spirit, might have
the glory, who over all is worthy for ever.

G g 3 POSTSCRIPT.

( 47° )

POSTSCRIPT.

SINCE I wrote the above, which was written at
fea, in my voyage from Barbadces to London > I
have heard that a learned man hath wrote upon this
excellent fermon of Chrifl, which far exceeds what I
have done, at which I rejoice ; for the more Chrifl is
glorified, and his faithful followers edified, the great
er is our caufe of rejoicing} and if it exceeds this, it
is no wonder, this being done by one who doth not
profefs to underfland grammar, neither is a mafler of
words, nor fcarcely of good .Englijh. Perad venture
through the meannefs of the inftrument, the glory of
God and praife of Chrift, may the more appear ; as
faid Chrift, " Out of the mouths of babes thou halt
" ordained praife, or ftrength :" and again, " Thou
cc haft revealed thefe things to babes and fucklings."
And the Jews marvelled that the apoftles of Chrift
ihould know the things of God, being unlearned
men. But I had a concern working a long time on
my mind, and could not be eafy nor fatisfied until I
had made fome little efTay towards this work ; and
confidering my own weaknefs, it kept me back a
great while; but in giving up to the work, I had
peace and inward fatisfaction therein : for I thought
it my duty to publifh and promote, as much as I
well could, the doctrine and fermon of Chrift, my
Lord and Mafter •, fince the very life and marrow of
true Chriftianity, is therein to be found, in a very
great degree ; and, without controverfy, thofe who
live up and according to the doctrine here laid down
by Chrift in this fermon, will be blefled in this
world, and that to come, of whatfoever denomination
they may be. f. CHALK LET.

SOME

( 471 )

SOME TRULY TENDER

SCRUPLES OF CONSCIENCE,

ABOUT THAT

FORM OF PRAYER,

CALLED THE

COMMON PRAYER,

AS USED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

A S to the reading of the holy Scriptures,
A either privately or openly, that I am not
aeaMt, but would encourage it in all Chriftians and
true believers in Chrift, and we ought to excite one
another thereto, and more efpecially to put m prac
tice what we read to be our duty, otherwife the
letter will kill, as faith the apoftle, a Cor. m. 6.
which is to be underftood, when we praftice contrary
to what we read therein. As for example wnere our
Lord faith, " Everv idle word that man fhall fpeak,
« thev fhall give account thereof in the day of judg-
« ment," Matt. xii. 36. Again, « God will not
« hold him guilders, that talceth his name m vain
Exod xx 7 " That fervant that knew his Lord s
« will, and did it not, fliall be beaten «*.«W^

G g 4 ! itnpes,

472 Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience

<c ftripes," Luke xii. 47. Thefe, and many more
portions of holy Scripture, are condemning and
killing to thofe who live in fin and evil, which the
letter is abfolutely againft, and without true re
pentance, accompanied with amendment of life,
though the Holy Bible be read every day, it will
but add to our condemnation. But if people truly
repent of the evil of their ways, and awake to righ-
teoufnefs, and fin not, as the Holy Scriptures them-
felves hold, and Chrift taught, then unto fuch fouls
they are a rich treafure, and as a cabinet full of pre
cious jewels, <6 able to make the man of God wife
" to falvation, through faith" in Chrift, by the in
fluence of the holy Ghoft, or Spirit. It is not the
reading divinely infpired writings, or the bible,
which is fcrupled -y but the formal reading of formal
compofed prayers and fongs, at fet times, inftituted
by fuch whofe principle is, that there is now no di
vine revelation, and that we cannot live without fin
ning, while we are in this life, according to the
tenor of the Common Prayer ; holding, that we fin
as long as we live, as if God's power were not ftrong-
er to preferve out of fin, than the devil is to keep
us in fin, contrary to the work and dodtrine of the
holy apoftles, who were fent of God to turn people
from Satan's power, to the power of God •> whofe
glorious, eternal power, is above the power of fin,
death and the devil.

In the Common Prayer fome unfound words, and
alfo fome Scripture exprefiions, perverted to a wrong
ufe, I would a little open, or write a few words con
cerning.

ift. As to that expreflion in the Common Prayer,
<c that we are miferable iinners."

adly, cc And that we are full of bruifes and pu«
" trifying fores."

3dly, cc And from the crown of the head to the
ct fole of the foot, there is no foundnefs in us."

about the COMMON PRAYER. 473

4thly, " And that we have left undone the things
*c which we ought to do, and do thofe things which
fc we ought not to do j" and this to be repeated for
life.

Firft, then, If people mud be miferable finners
all their days, to what end did Chrift come into the
world and preach the gofpel, and fuffer death, the
painful death of the crofs ? Did he not come to put
an end to fin, and to deftroy the works of the devil,'
whofe works are fin ? Did he not preach againft fin,
both within, and without ? witnefs the 5th, 6th, and
yth chapters of the evangelift Matthew. Yea, his
birth, life, preaching, filtering, death and refurrec-
tion, and afcenfion into glory, were all againft tin,
the devil, death and darknefs, and all the works
and deeds thereof. Chrift died for our fins, and we
(hould die to them, and live to him : he came to favc
us from the act of fin, as well as the imputation of it ;
and takes away the guilt, of fin, on condition of true
repentance and amendment of life, as the doctrine of
Chrift and his apoftles do largely and plainly demon-
ftrate, as any who are come to the years of difcretion,
and who can but read the holy Scriptures, may plain
ly difcover.

The apoftle faith, <c Whatfoever things are holy,
<e whatsoever things are pure, juft, and of good re-
" port, feek after thofe things." And again, <c No
<e unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven ;"
but certainly all fin is unclean. Read over the holy-
Scriptures, from the beginning to the end, their na
ture and tendency is againft all fin ; and as it is true,
that we all have been finners, furely therefore all
true Chriftians, and true believers in Chrift, have
caufe reverently to bow, and to be truly and hum
bly thankful, that Chrift, our great Lord, by his
offering himfelf for us, hath taken away that impu
tation •, fo that now through true faith and belief in
Chrift, accompanied with true repentance, and a-

mendment

474 Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience

mendrnent of life, the imputation of our former fins
is taken away 5 for which caufe we praife God, and
adore his eternal Majefty for ever.

2dly, As to the word miferable^ a Chrifhian may in
deed be poor ; but fince Chrift is come to make us
happy and comfortable through the hope of eternal
falvation, in his name and power (as we are not to
think ourfelves better than we are) fo we cannot fay
nor think we are miferable, unleis we are without
God and Chrift •, and then we are miferable indeed ;
but no mortal can be miferable, who hath Chrift ;
cc for he that hath the Son, hath life" eternal life
<c abiding in him :" to be truly in Chrift, is to be
truly happy ; this doctrine is as clear as the fun at
noon-day, or as a morning without clouds : a foul,
when it comes to fee itlelf undone without a Saviour,
and fee fin to be exceeding finful, and is ready to
cry to the Almighty, Lord, help, or I perifli ! Save
me, or 1 am undone for ever ! Then the foul feeth
itielf miferable ; but it is for want of Chrift : and
when Chrift is come into, or unto the foul, then its
mifery vanifheth, or flieth away ; but from day to
day, and week to week, yea, all the days of one's
life, to be miferable finners, is a miferable cafe in
deed, deftroying the very nature of Chriftianity :
wherefore, fome tender, confcientious fouls, cannot
join with fuch miferable finners and fayers, who nei
ther fay nor do that which they ought.

gdly, As to thefe fayings, ci We are full of bruifes
" and putrefying fores, from the crown of the head
" to the fole of the foot, and that there is no found-

<c nefs in us."

Can any congregation of fuch people as thefe (if
they fay truly, and if they do not fay truly, what will
the confequence be, let the wife in heart judge) can
I fay, fuch a people be the church of Chrift, or his
fpoufe, or beautiful bride ? Chrift faith, cc If the
" infide be clean, the outfide will be clean alfo :"

and

about the COMMON PRAYER.' 47$

and he came to cleanfe the fouls of poor mortals,
and to heal them, and wafh them from fin, and dotli
it by his fpiritual bap.tifm, and the fire of his word 3
alfo the abovefaid church and people, contrary to
this putrefied and unfound, conftant and continual
confeffion, do both « promife and vow, that the?
« will forfake the devil and all his works, the pomps
« and vanity of this wicked world, and all the fmful
« lufts of the flefh, and walk in God's holy will and
« commandments, all the days of their lives :" the
very higheft pitch of perfeftion any man or Chnttian
can attain in this life! and yet contrary to thofe
vows and folemn covenants, they tell the Almighty,
from time to time, that they are unfound, nay, that
there is no foundnefs in them ; but that they are
putrefied from head to foot, as above, and by their
common practice, intend to tell him fo as long as
they live in this life : this is unfound work indeed :
and truly thofe who are tenderly confcientious may
well fcruple to join with it, or with thofe who are in
fuch ways, words and works.

Thofe bruifed, putrefied, fore and unfound fouls,
are therefore tenderly, in Chriftian love, advifed to
come to Chrift, the phyfician of value, and great
doctor of the foul, that he may heal them, and wafh
their fmful, putrefied fouls, and unfound hearts,
«< by the wafhing of regeneration, and renewing of
" his word and fpirit.s> " Ye are clean through the
« word which I have fpoken unto you," faith our
Saviour, John xv. 3. They are cleanfed, by putting
his word in practice ; for, faith Chrift, Mat. vii. 24.
« He that heareth thefe fayings of mine, and doth
cc them, I will liken hirn to a wife man •," fo, confe-
quentiy he that doth them not, is foolilh, fmful and
unclean.

4thly, And further, fay they, <e We have left un-
« done thofe things which we ought to have done."
Now doing the truth, and doing that which is right,

476 Some truly tender Scruples of Conference

is what we ought to do; and committing fin, is that
which we ought not to do : certainly any man of
fenfe and understanding, would think it mockery,
if his children or fervants fhould ferve him fo from
time to time, and make a common practice of it:
by this confeffion, if it be genuine, they muft needs
know better than they pracYife or do, they knowing
what they ought to do, but not doing it; and our
Lord Jefus Chrift faith pofitively, " He that knows
ec his Mailer's will, and doth it not, fhall be beaten
<c with many (tripes :" and again, cc Be ye not like
f c the Scribes and Pbarifees ; for they fay, and do
cc not; therefore be ye not like unto them."

But what can be expeded from thofe who fay they
lin in their beft duties? and if fo, they fin whenever
they read the Common Prayers ; and by the fame
rule, the oftner they read them, the oftner they
fin ; wherefore, how can a fincere, devout foul, who
tinfeignedly loves the Lord Jefus Chrift, fo as to keep
his commandments (for that is to love him truly, and
according to his own definition of it ; cc If ye love
4C me, keep my -commandments," faith Chrift) I fay,
how can any fuch fincere foul join with fuch wrong
doers and fayers ; it muft needs be an unfafe prac
tice to do what one knows fhould not be done; the
nature of fuch doings being very provoking, either
to God or man : What man in the world would like
it, in either fon or fervant ?

Oh ! what would become of poor, degenerate man,
if the Lord Almighty were not very indulgent, if he
were not a God gracious and merciful, flow to anger,
and of great loving-kindnefs to poor mortals !

5thly, And as to their finging David's pfalms in
metre ; how often do they fing that which is not
true as to themfelves, and alfo that which is not ac
cording, but contrary to their ftates and conditions ?
as when they fing, " That they water their couch
".with their tears 5 and that they pra6tife what they

«c know,

about the COMMON PRAYER. 477

*( know, when they confefs they do that which they
cc ought not to do, and leave undone that which
<c they ought to do."

The apoftle faid, he would Cf fing with the fpirit,
<c and with the underilanding alfo." And again,
<c We know not what we fhould pray for as we
<c ought, but the Spirit itfelf maketh interceffion
*c for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered,"
Rom. viii. 26. In the primitive times of Chriftia-
nity, they prayed and fung as they were helped by
the holy Ghoft, or Spirit, and not by book, or flint-
eci or fet forms ; but oh ! the primitive foundnefs of
Chriftianity, is too much loft and defaced ; and
therefore fome who defire to come again to the pri
mitive foundnefs and purity of the Chriftian religion,
fcruple to join with fuch unfound formalities, and
that confcientioufiy, for the reafons above, and more
•which might be given.

When fuch fcruples are mentioned, the members
of the church of England usually reply, that the Scrip
tures vindicate them in their form, which, how well
they do fo, let it be freely and fairly examined -, not
for contention, but for edification in the pure love
of Jefus.

i ft. cc The Scripture faith, that there was a people
<c that was full of bruifes and putrefying fores," &c.

Anfw. But that was in the time of the law, when
the people had tranfgreffod the law, and were under
the law ; for had they done their duty, and kept the
jaw, they could not truly have faid fo, Ifaiah i. 6.
They were then indeed gone aftray like loft fheep,
and that brought them into that fore,, putrefied ftate,
and bruifed condition, and <c their law did not make
<c the comers thereunto perfect ; yet/' as faith the
apoftle, " the bringing in of a better hope did,"
which was the hope of the gofpel j fo that the apof-
£le preaches perfection under the gofpel difpenfa-
jion, though fome of our worldly-wife men will not

allow

478 Some truly tender Scruples of Conference

allow of it 5 and I hope we are not under the law,
but under grace; "and the glorious law of the
" fpirit of life, in Chrifl Jefus, hath and doth fee
<c the true believers free from the law of fin and
c6 death;" fo that a true Chriftian cannot fay truly,
with the falfe and rebellious Jews, of whom the pro
phet there fpeaks, " that he is full of putrefying
" fores, and that there is no foundnefs in him," and
fay it all the days of his life.

2dly, Again the Scripture fays, PfaL li. 5. " I
<c was fhapen in iniquity, and in fin did my mother
6( conceive me."

Anfw. The Pfalmift was at that time under deep
convictions for the great fins he had been guilty of,
in the matter of Uriah ; but by his expreflions in the
$th, loth, and nth verfes of the fame pfalm, it is
plain he believed a better (late attainable ; and fu re
ly thefe expreffions cannot be applicable to men, at
M times -, for we read of them who were fanctified
from the womb ; neicher can it be reafonably or cha
ritably fuppofed, that all women, efpecially chafte
and virtuous Chriftians, do all conceive their child
ren in fin, and bring them forth in iniquity ; and if
it were io, which God forbid, it doth not follow,
that v/e mud live in it all our days ; no furely, if we
believe Chrift, and the holy Scriptures, whole doc
trine is holy, and commands holinefs, in both tefta-
roents. And if people would walk in the holy light
of Ghrifl, who enlightens every man that cometh in
to the world, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, they
would then be cleanfed from their fin, from both the
act and the imputation, as faith the apoitle, "If we
fc< walk in the light, as he is in the light, then have
<c we fellowfhip one with another, and the blood of
" Jefus Chrift, his Son, cleanfeth us from all fin,'*
I John i. 7.

3dly, tc There is none that doeth good, no not
5C one," Rom. iii. 12.

Anfw.

about the COMMON PRAYER. 479

Anfw. It is beyond all doubt the apoftle fpoke of
the people in their unconverted ftate ; for if they had
been come to the work of converfion and regenera
tion, they mull, and it is impoffible but they fhould,
do fome good ; and though there was a time than
none did good, it was under the law, and not under
grace; and fpoken of the unbelievers, and not be
lievers ; efpecially fince Chrift has brought a cove
nant of grace, in order to teach arid help us to live
righteous, virtuous, holy, religious, and fober lives
and converfations, ^itus ii. 1 1.

4thly, They object the words of our Saviour to
the young man in the gofpel, where he calls Chrift
<c Good Mafter," aiking him, cc What good thing
fc he fhould do that he might inherit eternal
" life ?" Chrift anfwered, cc Why called thoti me
<c good ? There is none good but one, that is God,1'
Mat. xix. 17.

Anfw, And true it is, in our Lord's fenfe, for com
paring men to Chrift (who is God) there is none
good ; the young man thought he had been fpeaking
to a man like himfelf, and knew not that he was
fpeaking to the good and gracious Son of the mod
high God; but if we compare men with men, it
mull be granted that there is, was, and will be fome
good men, women, and children, in that fenfe and
confideration ; and our Lord fheweth how we may
know thefe good men, women, and children, " By
<c their fruits ye fhall know them," faith Chrift;
<c Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of
« thiftles. A good tree cannot bring forth evil
*c fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good
*c fruit; wherefore by their fruits ye fhall know
<c them." How plain is the do&rine of Chrift, if
people would but lend an obedient ear, and give
him a faithful and fincere heart, and ferve him in a
pure mind, without deceit, or guile, taking up his
holy crofs, to the corrupt will of man, in true felf-

denial :

4&0 Some truly tender Scruples of Conference

denial : the Scripture fays, " If we confefs our fins,
5C he is faithful and juft to forgive us our fins, and
ct to cleanfe us from all unrighteoufnefs :" where
then is the fin, when God has cleanfed us from all
unrighteoufnefs ? Indeed it is very meet, and our
duty, to confefs our fins i they truly fay, that,

fthly, The Scriptures in fundry places excite us
to confefs our fins.

Anfw. For poor mortals have all finned, and by
their finful nature, we are all children of wrath, and
this is a ftrong and mighty motive for us in truth to
confefs our fins, becaufe God is fo juft and merciful
to forgive and pafs by our iniquities; and indeed if
the weight of our fins were upon us, and the true
fcnfe of the heinoufnefs of fin and evil, it would
certainly bow us in deep reverence and humility be
fore the throne of grace, and melt our fpirits in true
tendernefs before the moft High and immortal JE
HOVAH ; and then it is that he forgives us, and
cleanfeth us from all iniquity, and would, according
to the apoftle's doctrine, c< purify us to himfelfa
*f peculiar people, zealous of," and for, <c good
<c works," and againit bad works, and words, and
thoughts alfo : and when God hath fo cleanfed the
foul, then of courfe thefe common, and often re
peated, dry confeffions, full of fin and putrefaction,
nuift fall, and we fhould fear to offend any more.
Let it be tenderly, and in Chriitian love, afked,
How often do our Common Prayer people go into
their clofets, or privately retire into fome fecret
place, and there pour out their cries and tears to the
Almighty, and humbly confefs their faults to him
alone ? I afk, would not fuch an exercife be more
acceptable to God, than a popular repetition daily
and formally made ? This I leave co the confidera-
tion of all fober Chriftians, and to the judgment of
the truly pious. And how like mockery it looks,
as foon as they come from their prayers and confef-

about the COMMON PRAYER. 481

fions, they (many of them) will vainly laugh, and be
full of idle words and difcourfe, and fome of" them
curfe and fwear, and take the awful and facred name
(which they have been addreffing, or pretending to
addrefs) in vain, and prophane that holy name of God
and Chrift, which they have been uiing in their de
votion, which I have been an eye and an ear witnefs
of many a time, to the forrow and grief of my foul,
and which hath, in part, occafioned thefe lines; as
alfo hoping it may be a motive to ftir up fome to
more holy living, and that the name of God and
Chrift might be glorified, and the precious, dear-
bought foul faved. Let us alfo remember, that the
holy Scriptures do abundantly require and command
us to forfake our fins ; the holy text fays, cc He that
<c confeffeth and forfaketh his fins fhall have mercy."

6thly, And whereas the apoftle Jobn^ in his firfl
general epiftle, chap. i. verfe 8- writes, u If we fay
*c we have no fin, we deceive ourfelves;" from
•whence it is objeded, we ought always to confefs
our fins.

Anfw. Yes we fliould do fo whenever we commit
any, or knowingly do evil; but when the Almighty
hath cleanfed us from all unrighteoufnefs, then our
fins are done away by the grace of his Son, our Lord
Jefus Chrift, and we are wafhed by regeneration ;
then it cannot be true to fay, we are miferable and
putrefied finners, when at the fame time alfo Chrift
hath purified and fanctified his church and people.

It is true which St. John faith, chap. i. verfe 10.
(that opening and explaining the 8th verfe) cc If
tc we lay we have not finned, we make him" (i. e.
God) <c a liar;'3 for that all have finned ; fo that ic
is plain that he fpeaks of the ftate of man before he
comes to the work of converfion, or to be renewed
by grace ; for when we come truly to know Chrift,
and to fee and believe in him, then we wicnefs a
change from our corrupt and evil nature, and finful

H h couife

482 Some truly tender Scruples of Confcience

courfe of life, which is as clear as the fhining of the
fun without clouds at noon-day, from the fame
apoftle's words, which I fhall tranfcribe for informa
tion and edification of any who may fee this.

The firft general epiftle of 'John (the beloved dif-
ciple of our Lord Jefus) 3d chap. 6th verfe to the
loth. cc Whofoever abideth in him" (i. e. Chriit)
*< finneth not : Whofoever finneth, hath not feen
Cf him, neither knov/n him. Little children, let no
<c man deceive you : he that doth righteoufnefs, is
cc righteous, even as he is righteous : he that com-
cc mitteth fin, is of the devil; for the devil finneth
" from the beginning. For this purpofe the Son of
cr God was manifefied, that he might deftroy the
<f works of the devil. Whofoever is born of God,
" doth not commit fin ; for his feed remaineth in
cc him, and he cannot fin, becaufe he is born of
4C God. In this the children of God are manifeft,
<f and the children of the devil; whofoever doth not
" righteoufnefs, is not of God;" (and as above) "he
<c that committeth fin, is of the devil."

This is naked truth, without any covering, and
the very fum and fubftance of true religion. Oh !
that all true Chriftians would lay it to heart, and pon
der it in their minds, and then refolve whether they
will be fmners to the end of their days, or whether
they will repent, and turn from the evil of their
ways; the latter of which, that poor mortals may
come to witnefs for themfelves, is the defire and
prayer of my foul.

If it be further objected, That our Saviour taught
hisdifciples a form : he did fo ; and a glorious form
it is ; and they did as they prayed, and were taught
of Chrift, andfo they did it truly, and in true faith,
believing they fhould witnefs what they faid and
prayed to be fulfilled. " Our Father which art in
" heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom
Jc come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in

" heaven.

about the COMMON PRAYER* 483

** heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
<c forgive us our trefpafTes, as we forgive them that
<c trefpafs againft us. And lead us not into tempo
*c ation, but deliver us from evil : for thine is the
" kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever*
" Amen/*

Chrifl faid to fome of old, cc Ye are of your fa-'
<c ther the devil, becaufe his works ye do:" and all
fin is his work, and by our works, as above, we are
manifeft, whether we are the children of God, or of
the devil.

H h 2 A LETTER

LETTER

T O

FRIEND in IRELAND;

Containing a RELATION of fome forrowful INSTANCES
of the fad Effects of INTEMPERANCE,
as a Warning to young People.

PROV. xii. 2. A good Man obtaineth Favour of the
Lord: but a Man of wicked Devices will he condemn.

Verfe 7. The Wicked are overthrown, and are not: but
the Houfe of the Righteous jh all ft and.

ISA. v. 22. Woe to them who are mighty to drink Wine>
and Men of Strength to mingle ftrong Drink.

The P R E F A C E to the Tenth Edition of
this Letter to a Friend.

Temperate READER,

TH E longer we live in the world, the more we
fee the danger and many mifchiefs, miferies
and inconveniences, intemperance occaiions to man
kind, not only in eating, clothing buying and felling,
&c. but particularly in that great fin of drinking
to excefs. And though rifk is run of incurring

the

PREFACE.

485

the difpleafnre of fome ill-natured over-lovers of
ftrong liquors, the which hath been experienced by
the author, through fome of the former impreflions ;
yet they having found fuch general acceptance in
many parts of the world, and being ferviceable to
people of all perfuafions, I, for the further fervice of
poor mortals, adventure to put forth this tenth edi
tion, with this additional preface, in order, if pof-
fible, to perfuade all rational fouls to forfake fo de-
ftructive and vile an evil: which grofs fin hath thefe
bad effects attending it, with many more that might
be fet down, which affects both the aged and the
youth; for who fe fakes (viz. the youth) it was at
firft chiefly intended, in order to ftir them up to the
love of pure religion, and pious and virtuous living.

ift then, In the aged, it hath thofe bad effects,
viz. They are bad examples to their youth, who when
reproved, may reply, f My father before me loved
c ilrong liquors, as well as I : he loved a glafs of
c wine ; he loved a bowl of punch •, he loved good
c cyder, and good ale, and would be merry with it,
c and why may not I, as well as he? lie was a wife
€ good man, when he was fober; and pray where is
* the harm of loving good liquor and being merry?*

I anfwer ; The harm is in the immoderate and ex
travagant ufe of it. It is only the excels which this
letter detects, and is intended to difcourage. I have
known fome who have quarrelled with publick
preaching, becaufe they have been guilty of the
faults fpoke againft: and the author expects to be
buffeted for this publication, by fome of thefe
mighty fons to drink wine, and to mingle flrong
drink (i. e. punch, fetterena, tiff, flip, &c.) I
had like to forgot Sampjon, as 1 have feveral others,
which fo overcomes thofe men of might, as to get
from them their precious time, which cannot be
bought with money, and their money, befides health
and credit, vjnderilanding and reafon, and all. And
H h 3 pray

486 PREFACE.

pray where is the difference then between the mart
and the beaft, though the man be full of days ?

What can we fay to the youth of fuch parents,
that will avail, while their parents fhew them fuch
evil examples ? And as it is in that, fo it is in all
other evils, parents examples are very hurtful in evil
things, though very helpful in that which is? good.
If a man fees a youth to be out of order, and re
proves him for being in drink, evil-fpeaking, pride,
covetoufnefs, &c. and he guilty of the fame, his
child may anfwer, c Why, father, I had not done
€ fo, if I had not feen thee (or you) do it ?' And
it being an incumbent duty in a father, mother,
mailer, or miftrefs, to reprove their youth for evil ;
if we are not clear in ourfelves of what we reprove
in our children or fervants, and our children or fer-
vants mifcarry through our bad example, what a
melancholy reflection will that be to us, if rightly
confidercd ! which indeed would be this, c I have
c been instrumental to my poor child's ruin and de-
€ ftrii&ion T A melancholy reflexion to any fober
Chriftian !

Alfo, except there is a large income, inftead of
taking care to put the youth in a reputable way to
live in the world, it brings them to poverty : and
if there is a large eftate, it puts them in the way to
fpend it. And, oh ! how many are fpending their
precious time in taverns, and ordinaries, and at the
lame time their wives and children fuffering and
weeping at home? And fome fober, modeil wo
men (for the men are moftly addicted to drinking to
cxcefs) would fuffer unfpeakable hardships before
they would expofe their hulbands •, and indeed they
that do it in fuch a modeft way, being forced to it
by fuch ill practices, are much more to be pitied
than blamed.

adly,

PREFACE. 487

2dly, Concerning the youth, it mightily hurts
them (as it doth the aged alfo) as to their religion,
reputation, health and eitate, &c.

lit, As to their religion, it not only clouds their
underftanding, and darkens the nobility thereof,
but it unfits them for all and every religious duty.

sdly, Some who value a good name, had rather
lofe their lives,* than lofe their reputation through
immoderate drinking. For if the youth be fingle
and addicted to immoderate drinking, no wife and
virtuous perfon will tie themfelves to them for life,
by marriage-, which ftate of life, to a wife and vir
tuous pair, is far exceeding in happinefs all other
company or converfation whatfoever. It is better to
be one of thefe than to enjoy a kingdom : and on
the other hand, it is better to be a have in Turky,
than to be married to an intemperate perfon.

3dly, Intemperance deftroys the health of the
body, which we generally efteem before wealth.
And if a man were a king, prince, or duke, if he
did not enjoy his health, what good would all his
honour, power, and wealth do him ? Oh ! what
abundance of young people have deilroyed them
felves by this fin? As it is written, <c The wicked
<c do not live out half their days:" and where this
fin is growing general in a country, that country is
growing to its ruin and deftruclion. It waftes the
people, decays trade, and is very deftructive to re
ligion, and an inlet to Atbeifm. Good people are
afraid to live in fuch a country, bad people flock to
it, and often make their exit in it.

4thly, And many a fair eftate hath been em
bezzled and fpent through intemperance, which ho
ned parents with great labour, care, and induftry, have
got together, and left to their fons and daughters,
who have extravagantly fpent it upon their lults;
and thereby have brought infamy on themfelves,
their fathers, and their pofterity, whenever it has
H h 4 pleafed

438 PREFACE.

pleafed God that they have left any behind them *,
befides, which is worft of all, difhonouring God,
and bringing a fcandal on the Chriftian religion.

Some of our wife kings and queens in Great-
Britain, being forrowfully affecled with the hei-
noufnefs of this great fin, have made ftridt laws
againft intemperance : and where the legiflative au
thority makes little or no provifion againft it, or
when they do make any, do not take care to put in
practice, fuch a (late or colony muft needs be in a
declining condition. And for particular families
and perfons, we may fee too much of this evil in
our neighbourhoods, almoft in all parts of the world,
-which caufeth folid, fober, pious, virtuous, and
truly religious Chriflians to mourn, and humbly to
bow before the mod high God, begging of him,
for Chrift's fake, that he, by his mighty power,
would be pleafed to reform the unregenerate
world.

This is the prayer and fervent defire of an
intire lover of mankind, both body and foul,
and who defires their welfare in this, and the
world to come.

, CHALKLET.

A LETTER

LETTER TO A FRIEND-

Barbadoes, *jtb ift Mo. 1718-19.

My dear Friend,

IT is long fince I had a line from thee ; but not
long fince I thought of thee and thine, with
Friends of your nation, where I know the Lord
hath a feed, who loves him, and doth delight and
defire to ferve him, and are accounted to him for a
chofen generation -9 and that this generation may
fpread and profper in the earth, is my earneft travail
In fpirit both night and day, at times and feafons.
There is alib an exercife upon my mind for the off-
fpring of this feed, the children of thofe men and
women, who have confefTed the name of Chrift be
fore men, in a holy, felf-denying life, and fober
converfation ; and I do certainly know, that many
pious fouls join with me in this exercife, bowing
the knee to the Lord of fabbaths for the peace, prof-
perity, and eternal welfare of the prefent arifing
generation. Oh! how exerciftng it is to good men
and women, to fee their youth take thofe ways
which lead to deftruclion, and go in company with
the wicked, whofe ways lead to the utter ruining
of both body and foui, and whofe fleps take hold
on hell.

It is a great evil which many are prone to (i. e.)
keeping of vain and idle company, which has brought
many a young man, and young women, to utter
ruin and deftrudion, both body and foul. How
ipany fair eftates have been wafted ! How many fine

youths

49° A LETTER TO A

youths deftroyed by keeping evil company, and by
excefs in drinking, is really lamentable to confider !
It keeps the poor in poverty; it makes the rich
many times poor, and brings both rich and poor
into difgrace ; it breaks and deftroys the health and
natural good conftitution of the body, and inftead
thereof fills it with mifery and pain ; and which is
yet more, it deftroys the foul which is the moil no
ble part of the man; fo that it is a fore three-fold
evil, but the laft the worft, by how much the foul
is the more lading and better part : feveral terrible
inftances of this nature I have met with in my travels
among the children of men ; three or four of which
I may inform thee of; and it may be affec~ling unto
thee, as it hath often been to my mind, when I have
thought thereon.

Vhefrft Liftance of a young Man> given to ill Company^
and hard Drinking.

<5

THE firft is of a certain beautiful young man,
a phyfician by profefiion, who was much ad-
di&ed to ill company, and to drink hard, and was
fometimes vifited with ftrong conviclions; in one of
which vifitations he fent for me, and told me his
condition, and made folemn covenants, if God
would but that once fpare him, he would not do the
like evil again. At that time it did pleafe the Al
mighty to fpare him-, but he foon forgot how it had
been with him; and fell into the fame fin again;
although he had a moil notable admonition in 3
dream, but a little before. His dream was this,
which is very remarkable; we being then at lea, in
fight of Great-Britain, he law in his dream a great
and fpacious town, the buildings high, and ftreets
broad; at which he landed, and going up the ftreet,

ho

FRIEND IN IRELAND. 491

lie efpied a large fign on which was written in great
golden letters, SHAME, to which he went, and
at the door flood a woman, with a can of drink in
her hand; who afked him to drink; to which he re
plied, c With all his heart, for he faid, he had

* drank nothing but water a great while:' So he
took the can, and drank a hearty draught, which,
as he faid, c made him merry/ and he went reeling
up the flreet, when, behold on a fudden, a grim
fellow met him, and arrefted him in the name of
the governor of the place, before whom he brought
him. This governor, he faid, was like a great
black dog, the largeft that ever he law, who grin
ned at him, and palled fentence on him -, and fent
him to prifon, there to lie for ever. He told me
this dream, with fuch an emphafis, as made me to
tremble, which was thus interpreted to him : I told
him, that he was an ingenious young man, and
might eafily difcern the interpretation of this dream,
which to me feemed to be ominous to him : ' The
c great town and high buildings, is thy great and
c high profeflion; the fign, on which SHAME

* was wrir, with the woman with the can at the
€ door, fheweth the great fhame of the fin of drun~
< kennefs, and that it is thy weaknefs $ and that

* grim fellow, that arrefted thee, is death, who will
' arreft all mortals ; and the great blacic clog, the
c governor of the place, is the devil -, who, when

* his fcrvants have ferved him to the lad, will cor-

* ment them for ever/ — * God forbid, it is buc a
c dream/ was his anfwer to me. I faid, it was a very
fignificant one to him.

About three days after, the fame perfon went on
board a fhip, whole loading vv-is wine and brandy 5
the mafter gave a can of wine to him, and faid the
fame words, as the woman foid to him in his
dream, and he anfwered with the fame expreffions
it had the fame effect upon him ; for he took

fuch

492 A LETTER TO A

fuch a hearty draught as made him too merry, in-
fomuch that he overfet the boat, and was drowned,
much in drink : and I feeing him fink down, and
his dream fo pun&ually fulfilled, I was very heavy
in my mind for feveral days.

Oh ! methinks I could wifh that the mighty
righteous judgments of the Mod High, might ef-
fedually work on the hearts of thofe people, who
are in the flower of their age, to their converfion
and falvation.

The fecond Inflame of a Merchant , addifted to the like
definitive Practices.

THE fecond is of a merchant, about thirty-
five years of age, whom I faw take leave of,
and bid adieu to this world : he was one who had
fpent much time in keeping unprofitable company
and over drinking, which practice wafted his
itrength and flefh, as it did his time and money,
and brought him into a deep confurnption ; as it
has done many to my certain knowledge; befiaes
bringing the racking painful diftemper of the gout,
and many other miieries ; fo that at laft it brought
him to his chamber, and then to his bed : and in
his ficknefs, he feveral times fent for me, and made
ferious acknowledgments of his c former mif-fpent
« time, and hoped, if the Lord would fpare him,
c to be more careful for the time to come.' But he
was no longer to be trufted here in this world ; for
he went not out until he was carried in his coffin :
he held my hand faft in his, until he died, and was
fenfible to the laft.

One day, as he lay on his death-bed, he called
me to him, into his chamber, and c charged me to

' caution

FRIEND IN IRELAND. 493

c caution the young people to be careful how they
c keep, and fpend their time in, evil company, for
c it had been his ruin, and now lay as a great and

* heavy burden on his confcience : Oh !' fays he,

* if they did but feel one quarter of an hour, what

* I feel, they never would keep fuch company any

* more: tell this to my former companions.'

And indeed there is a great deal of hurt done by
young men getting together to drink wine, or other
fbrong drink : I wifh the woe, mentioned in the
holy Scriptures, may not be the portion of many of
themj <c who are mighty to drink wine, and men
" of ftrength to mingle itrong drink;" and fit late
at it, which many times brings fufferings on parents,
wife, children, and fervants, as well as themfelves ;
and is a very dilbrderly practice, being a reproach
to all Chriftian focieties and families, wherever fuch
things are.

There is a great concern upon me againfl this
growing evil in our young generation; and I hope,
in Chrifl our Lord, that divers heads of families
will come under the like exercife in themfelves :
and then, if our youth will neither hear nor fear
the Lord, nor us, we lhall be clear, and their blood
will be on their own heads, as a worthy and ho
nourable elder, and man of God, of your nation,
faid : one of whole offspring is the fubje6l of the
third particular, that I fhall mention to thee, of the
many 1 have been acquainted with, in my pilgrim
age here, in and on this part of the globe of the
earch and fea; for thefe are but few inflances of
many that I have met withal : I may therefore
thus proceed.

494 A LETTER TO A

The third Inflance of another young Man, who mucfy
embraced tie fame deftroying Delights*

THE fifth of the firft month, at Bridge-Town,
in Barbadoes, S. E. fon of W. E. died. His
death was fudden; and was realbnably fuppofed,
he deftroyed himielf by drinking and undue com
pany-keeping, and fitting long at it. A perfon, to
whom he himielf had told it, told me, c That he
c and four more, at one fitting, drank above twenty
c quarts of double-diftilled Rum-punch; which put
€ him in a violent fever :' fo that he ran about the
ilreets, with a naked fword, and talked of killing
one of the neighbours, in this drunken fit. The
next day he came to me, and alked me, whofe
door the blood would have lain at, if he had, in
that fit of diforder, killed any body : by which
query, I thought he was not yet rightly come to
himfelf : becaufe there were fome ordinary reports
about the town concerning him, he reckoned chofe
who broached and fpread thofe reports, would have
been culpable, and mud have aniwered for his mur
der, if he committed any : but this was but cover
ing his fin.

He feemed to fall out with religion too, for he
faid, c He would come no more to worfhip, till he
4 fhould have juftice done him, as to the reports:'
though poor foul, he had the more need to pre-
fent himfelf before his Maker, and bow before the
moft high God, and repent in great humiliation.
The fame day in which he negleded his duty, he
was taken fick, and that day week was buried.
He fent for me, and I went to him : he had but
little fenfe of his end^ as I could perceive, and re
mained

FRIEND IN IRELAND. 495

mained fo till the night he died. I was by him
when he died, and faw him fetch his lad breath.
A few minutes before he gave up the ghoft, he
trembled and fhook exceedingly, andihrieked out,
to the aftoniihment of all thofe prefent, which
pierced my very foul within me: for he feemed
to go out of the world in an extreme great agony.

I never faw any depart the world any ways like
him -, and indeed it was very amazing, and greatly
affected my mind with forrow : for I thought he
was very unfit to die. Oh ! methinks I could
heartily wifh, that fuch objects might be as fo
many ftrong motives, to ftir up and to awaken the
offspring of good men and virtuous women (as alfo
any profeffing Chriftianity) to fear the Lord, and
walk in his ways, whofe ways lead to life, in which
the (ting of death is taken away.

The children of godly parents have much to
anfwer for, in flighting or neglecting the wholfome
counfel, good advice, and faithful admonition, of
their faithful and careful parents; whom they dif-
grace ana difhonour, contrary to the command of
God, who fays, " Honour thy parents, that thy
<f days may be long in the land which the Lord thy
4C God giveth thee :" and none can truly honour
their parents, who difhonour God their Maker.

A LETTER TO A

The fourth Inflance of a young Woman, who often
abfented herfelf from Meetings, for the fake of much
bad Company.

THE fourth inftance, which I fhall give thee,
is concerning a young woman, of about
twenty-five years of age, who was brought up very
finely, tenderly, and delicately, with her lockets,
and chains of gold, and waiting-maid : but her pa
rents living too high for their income, broke in
peoples debt •, and their children, as they grew up,
were put to their fhifts. What pity it is! that
youth are not brought up to fome bufmefs, whereby
they may get a livelihood in the world, if their pa
rents fhould drop before them: and though parents
may have a handfome intereft in this world, yet it
has been thought by fome great, as well as wife
men, that to put out youths to trades and bufmefs,
is both profitable and honourable : inflances of the
evil confequences of the contrary, have been very
many, as woeful experience doth daily teach us ;
and this young woman was one : for falling into
evil company, fhe ran into debt, and was put into
prifon, where was a murderer, whom it is laid, fhe
\vas acceffary to loofe from his chains ; and for fo
doing was put in chains herfelf, along with him,
when he was taken again : and now inilead of her
gold chain, fhe mufl take up with an iron one; and
in a little time, is to be tried for her life : and in
expectation of death, and being in great diftreis, fhe
fent for me, and entreated me to come and fee her
die, and much lamented her condition: c Oh! faid
c fhe, that I might be a warning to all young peo-
c pie, to be careful that they keep not evil compa-
« ny, and fpend their time which fhould be fpent in

c wo rlli ip,

FRIEND IN IRELAND. 497

* worfhip, in airy company, and other vain diver-
f fions, when they fhould be doing their duty to

* God.' And then fhe would weep bitterly ; fhe
being very penitent, it very much affected me; and
I told her, c That I did believe, if fhe in her heart
c was clear, and no ways confenting to the murder,
< her life would be given her: but then woe and
c mifery would be her portion, if fhe did not amend

* her ways.' And as I was leaving her, (he charged
me, c to warn young people that they might be

* careful that they fpend not their time in vanity,
c and to keep out of vain and wicked company,*
v/hich fhe faid ' had brought her to that mifery and

* fhame: and that they fhould take the counfel and
c advice of good Friends, which if I had done/
faid file, < I had not brought reproach on my friends,

* and alfo on my parents.'

• In a little time after, fhe was brought to trial,
and acquitted by the jury. I faw her once fince,
and reminded her of her duty ; which, fhe faid,

* fhe hoped to perform; and that it fhould be a
c warning to her, while fhe lived in this world :'
and that all fuch examples may be a warning to all
people, is the earned defire of a lover of fouls, and
Servant of Jefus.

T. CHALKLEY.

SI N C E I wrote the above, there being a perfon
in this place, who would be fometimes over
taken in drink, I lent it him to copy over, hoping
it might have fome good effect on him : and truly
before he had copied the relation of the firft perfon,
he was fo fmitten with the fenfe of the judgment of
the Almighty, that he cried out, even to roaring,
and faid, c He was a condemned perfon, and thac

I i * he

49$

LETTER. TO A FRIEND, &c,

c he felt the fire of hell.' He fent for me, and fe-
veral others, and begged of us to pray for him : he
was told, c That the hand of God was upon him for
« his fin, and defired to take warning in time, and
c repent, left the Lord fhould cut him off in his ini-
c quity.' The Lord did accordingly cut off this
perfon, he dying fuddenly, by hard drinking, as I
was informed by a letter from Earl ado es •, though
he promifed if the Lord would fpare him then, to
be * more faithful for the time to come ;' and %vas
then under deep inward exercife of mind. I men
tion this as a corroboration of the above inftances,
for further admonition. This perfon was in a con-
fiderable poft in that government : his name I for
bear to mention, for divers reafons. If thou and
Friends fee meet, I could defire, from the exercife
that is on my mind, that this might be fpread -, per-
adventure it might be fome ftroke upon fome, for
their good.

A LETTER

( 499 )

E T T E R

T O

AQ^UILA PACA,

HIGH SHERIFF of Baltimore County, in the
Province of Maryland^ and to other Friends*
there.

Earladoes, ift of (be iitb Mo.

Loving Friend AQUILA PACA,

MEETING here with captain Swaddle* bound
for your river, I found a concern on my
mind to fend a few lines remembering the good
opportunities I had at your meeting in that neigh
bourhood, together with thofe few poor honed fouls
that I met with there; and I defire thee to give my
dear love in Chrift to them.

Dear Friend, I am tenderly concerned in the love

of God, and his dear Son, to beg of thee, that thou

let not the world, nor any thing therein, either the

I i 2 riches,

500 A LETTER TO AQJJILA PACA.

riches, pleafures, or friendiliip thereof, draw thy
mind from that meafure of grace which hath been
manifefted to thee-, for God hath vifited thee in his
tender love and mercy, as thou well knoweft, and
hath often begotten good defires in thee, and con
vinced thee of the holy truth, as it is in Jefus. Oh!
faith my foul, that thou may more and more grow
therein, to thy bringing forth much good fruit, to
the glory of God, and the eternal good of that part
in thee, which will never die.

Salute me to thy wife and children, and the
neighbours, and their children alfo, all whom I
•with well in this world, and alfo in that which is to
come, the fame I wifh to all thofe who love Chrift,
fo as to keep his commandments.

If thou feed meet, thou mayeft read what follows
at the clofe of your meeting on a firft-day, which
meeting I hope you keep up in order to worlhip God
in Chrift's name ; for to fuch as meet in his name,
he hath promifed to be in the midft of them, where-
ever they fo meet; the which, he hath graciouily
fulfilled at many times.

Dear Friends, it is in my mind to vifit you with
the falutation of brotherly-love, in our holy Lord
Jefus Chrift, and may let you know, that though I
have been long abfent from you in body, yet have I
been often preient in fpirit with you, and you have
been often in my mind, with prayers to the Lord for
your growth in the hojy truth which he hath been
pleafed to make known to you, and many times I
have defired of the Almighty, that he would be
pleafed to peferve a feed in your parts that fhould
ferve him, and be accounted to him for a genera
tion. I have alfo defired that the Lord would vifit'
your young ones, and bring them to the knowledge
of his truth : and I pray God, that the tender vifita-
tion that was on divers of them, when I was prefent
with you, may by them never be forgotten, but that

they

A LETTER TO AQJJILA PACA. 501

they may be plants of righteoufnefs, of God's own
right-hand planting.

And, dear Friends, forfake not the alTembling of
yourfelves together, in the name of Chrift, remem
bering how you have been vifited with the heart-
melting power, and the fweet prefence of the Mod
High, in your filent waiting on, and worfhipping
him in his holy fpirit and truth, as well as when
you have been vocally vifited by the minifters of
Jefus.

Such worfhippers, as our Lord faid to the woman
of Samaria, the heavenly Father feeketh to worfhip
him ; and thofe whom God finds under fuch exer-
cife, fuch find him to be unto them all in all : he is
unto them wifdom, righteoufnefs, juftification, fanc-
tification, and redemption.

Oh I dear fouls, look to him (who is invifible to
the outward eye) who is God over all, and is blef-
fed for ever, and may you, if this comes to you,
feel the divine life, and Spirit of Chrift, in the
reading of this little epiftle of brotherly-love.

Live in love, for God is love, and all thofe who
dwell in divine love, they dwell in God •, wherefore
love one another, that thereby you may be known
to be Chrift's difciples : <c For/' fays he, « by this
" fhall all men know that ye are my difciples, if ye
<c have love one to another," or " if ye love one
" another j" as one of the evangelifts hath it.

And keep low in mind, and humble in fpirit;
for the humble, God will teach of his ways, and the
meek he will guide in judgment, and thofe whom
he teaches, are taught the myfteries of his kingdom,
which myfteries he teaches to fpiritual babes and
fucklings (glory to his holy name !) he often hides
thofe holy myfteries from the wife and prudent, and
reveals them to fuch men, women, and children, as
are little in their own eyes, and defpifed by the

I i 3 wife

J02 A LETTER TO AQIJILA PACA.

wife in natural wifdom, or the wifdom of this
vain world.

Oh ! mind your heavenly guide, dear Friends,
let me entreat you •, for he leads out of all fin, and
out of all vanity and evil, of what kind foever ;
and as our Saviour faith, <c into all truth." When
Chrifl comes by his Grace and Spirit into the heart,
then he opens the foul, and enlightens the under-
itanding, even in our common converfation ; and
much more, at times, in our folemn .meetings,
when we meet together to worfhip and ferve him i
fo that it is good to wait upon the Lord, and to feek
him with the whole heart.

Dear Friends, though my heart is full of love
and good-will to you at this time, as at many
others alfo, I mutt now conclude and commit you
into the holy arms of him, who is all divine love,
begging the God of love and peace to keep you,
and preferve you to his heavenly kingdom; to whom
be all glory, and praife, might, majeily, and divine
dominion, through his dear Son, and the Holy Spirit,
for evermore.

T. CHALK LEY.

CHRIST^

CHRIST'S Kingdom Exalted -9

BEING A SHORT

E S S A Y,

IN ORDER TO PROMOTE

Truth and Righteoufnefs in the Earth,

AND TO DISCOURAGE

.

Unholinefs, Ungodlinefs, and Unbelief.

PREFACE.

CHRISTIAN READER,

IN order to promote and exalt the kingdom of the
dear Son of God (according to the gift and mea-
fure of grace received) I was concerned to write the
following traft at fea; and confidering the evil ten
dency of the belief and principle which hath over-
fpread a great part of the profeflbrs of Chriftianity,
that we cannot be free from fin in this life; and
that it is contrary to the doctrine of the holy Scrip-

I i 4 Cures

504

PREFACE.

tures ofboth the New, and Old Teftament ; I could
not be eafy in my mind without oppofmg fuch a
dangerous tenet : for if we believe we muit always
fin, this being a finful faith, " according to our
" faith, fo it will be unto us;" and if we die in
our fins, Chrift hath told us, cc where he is gone,
Cf we cannot come." And holy record informs us,
<c that no unclean thing can enter God's king-
" dom."

I have alfo, for the further fatisfacYion of the true
Chriftian believer, collected the following texts of
holy Scripture, which maintain the doctrine of holi-
nefs and perfection; and directly oppofe that evil
principle, and that doctrine, * that we can never b§
< free from fin in this life.'

" Walk before me, and be thou perfect," Gen.
xvii. i.

" Ye fhall be holy, for I the Lord your God am
cc holy," Lev. xix. 2. — xx. 7. — xi. 44, 45.

" And ye lhall be holy men unto me," Exod*
xxii. 31.

" Noah was a juft man, and perfect in his gene^
<f ration/' Gen. vi. 9.

<c Without holinefs, no man fhall fee the Lord,"
Heb. xii. 10. 11.

<c We (hould be holy, and without blame before
«c him, in love," Epb. i. 4.

<c TQ prefent you holy, unblameable, and unre-
<c proveable in his fight," CoL i. 22.

<c If any man defile the temple of God, him fhall
" God deftroy, for the temple of God is holy, which
<c temple ye are," i Cor. iii. 17.

<c So be ye holy in all mariner of converfation,
*c becaufe it is written^ Be ye holy ; for I am holy j'*
? Pet. \. 15, 1 6.

" What manner of perfons ought ye to be in all
<* J>aly CQaverf^tion a,nd godlineis," % fet. iii. n.

? Thou

PREFACE. 505

cc Thou (halt be perfect with the Lord thy God/'
Deut. xviii. 13.

The Lord faid, Job was perfect and upright, Job
\. i. 8.

" Be ye therefore perfect," the words of Chrift,
Mat. v. 48.

" 1 in them, and thoq in me, that they may be
" made perfect in 6ne/' Jgbn xvii. 23.

" Howbeit we fpeak wifdom among them that
" are perfect," i Cor. ii. 6.

" Finally, brethren, be perfe6t,.be of one mind,"
2 Cor. xiii. 1 1.

" That we may prefent every man perfeft in

cc Chrift Jelus : that ye may (land perfect and com-

cc plete in all the will of God," Col. i. 28. — iv. 12,

<c Now the God of peace, &c. make you perfect

<c in every good work," Heb. xiii. 20, 21.

" That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
*' nothing," James i. 4.

" Having therefore thefe prornifes, dearly be-
*c loved, let us cleanfe ourfelves from all filthinefs
^ of flefh and fpirit, perfecling holinefs in the fear
?< of God,J> ^ Cor. vii. i.

" Unto a perfect man, unto the meafure of the
*c ftature of the fulnefs of Chrift," Epb. iv. 12, 13,
<c This we wiih, even your perfe&ion," 2 Cor.
xiii. 9.

cc Let us goon to perfe&ion," Heb. vi. i.
<c Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil
*< with good/' /£<?;#. xii. 21.

" Ye have overcome the wicked one/' this is
twice repeated in one chapter, i Jobn ii. 13, 14.

<c Ye are of God, and have overcome," i Jobn
iv. 4.

<c Whatfoever is born of God overcometh the
<c world/' &c. i Jobn v. 4, 5.

cc To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of
ff ;he tree of life /' jR^. ii. 7,

« He

P R E F A C E.

cc He that overcometh, fhall not be hurt of the
>c fecond death," verfe n.

" To him that overcometh, will I give to cat of
,* the hidden manna," verfe 17.

" To him that overcometh, will I give power over
" the nations," verfe 26.

« He that overcometh, the fame fhall be clothed
" in white raiment," Rev. in. 5.

<c Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in
cc the temple of my God, and he fhall go no more
<c out," verfe 12.

«c To him that overcometh, will I grant to fit with
«* me in my throne," verfe 21.

" He that overcometh, fhall inherit all things,"
Rev. xxi. 7.

Confider then, courteous reader, I pray thee :
What was all this language of the fpirit, all thefe
words of God, and all thefe commands, exhortations,
and glorious promifes, for ? What is the end and
tendency of them ?

If the Almighty commands things that cannot be
done, what will that make of him? if his fervants
labour and exhort us to things not to be done, where
will thofe aburdities land ? furely it muft center in
the mouth of the unprofitable fervant, and fuch a&
charge God foolifhly. And are all thofe fine and
glorious promifes made to put us on to fight againft
fin and Satan, without a poflibility of overcoming ?
God forbid ; and may he, Chriftian reader, forbid
alfo, that thou fhould believe fuch a grofs and pal
pable miftake and error.

Oh ! that the Almighty Lord may fend forth more*
and more his holy light and truth, and that thereby
he might lead and guide the inhabitants of the earth j
fo that they might not give up the caufe of Chrift,
but manfully reiifl, even to death, that at laft they

mi^ht have a crown of life.

CHALKLET.

Chrift's

( 507 >

ChrifPs Kingdom Exalted, Sec.

IN the Chriftian world it is too generally believed,
that people on this fide the grave cannot be free
from fin ; which principle, or belief, is a great
lett and hindrance to the glorious work of refor
mation, and mightily obftructs people in their way
to eternal glory, and tends to uphold the kingdom
of Satan, which every good Chriftian, with Saint
Pauly fhould be for pulling down ; and, in order to
this, fhould make ufe of the weapons that he did,
that is, the armour of light ; which weapons were,
and are, The preparation of the gofpel of peace, the
girdle of truth, helmet of falvation, breaft-plate of
righteoufnefs, fhield of faith, and fword of the fpirit,
which is the word of God. This is indeed a'holy
war, to war againft fin and Satan ; and alfo heaven
ly armour, the armour of light; and this holy apof-
tle was a valiant foldier, who was alfo victorious in
this war : ,oh ! who would but lift themfelves under
Chrift's banner, and fight this fight of faith with
courage, and true Chriftian valour ! then would they
witnefs the truth of that faying of the apoftle, " That
<c the weapons of this warfare are not carnal, but
«c mighty, through God, to the pulling down the
" ftrong holds of fin and Satan."

Oh 1 down with thofe ftrong holds, down with
them, let every lover of Jefus Chrift fay, and pray,
that the kingdom of God, and his Chrift, may be
exalted over all, for ever. Sin is the chief fupport
of Satan's kingdom, which Chrift came to deftroy
and put an end to, and to bring in righteoufnefs,

actual

508 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

a&ual righteoufhefs, as well as imputative; he came
to fave his people from their fins, not only by impu
tation, but by holy aftion alfo; as his holy dodlrine
in his excellent Sermon on the Mount, and his many
other divine expreflions, do plainly and abundantly
manifeft. Now confidering the great evil of this
dangerous principle, I have been deeply affeded on
account of poor mankind, to whofe utter ruin and
eternal deftruction it moft certainly tends. If we
were to reafon as men and rational beings, with
what fpirit and courage Ihould we undertake any
bufmefs, journey, or concern, if before-hand we were
grounded in a belief that we could not perform our
undertaking ? or what nation or people in the world
would have any courage to engage their common
enemies, if at the fame time they did believe they
fhould never overcome them, would not this abun
dantly difpirit and difcourage them in their engage
ment, let any rational foul judge? oh! this belief
of finning to the end of our days, is a mighty engine
of Satan, in order to fupport his kingdom, and a
wonderful prop to uphold it. Pray what fignifies all
the preaching and writing in the world againft fin,
though nev.?r fo elegantly or fcholaftically wrote
or delivered by the greateft of orators or minifters,
if, at the fame time, this do&rine be upheld and
maintained in pulpits, prints, and otherwife, &c.
and received and believed by the people ? let truth
and right reafon in this matter bear rule and be
judge, and the caufe will be determined againft the
kingdom of fin and Satan : but the " kingdom of
cc Chrift is an everlafting kingdom, and of his do-
<c minion there iliall never be an end." This is a
word of encouragement to the followers of Chrift,
to be faithful to the commands of Chrift.

Though the devil is a great king, and a mighty
prince; though he is king over all the children of
pride and difobedience, and prince of the power of

the

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 509

the air ; yet cc the Lamb and his followers will have
the victory" over fin and him, although fometimes it
may fare with them as with their Lord, who obtained
it through fufFerings -, and let it be remembered by
them, that they fhall in the end reign with him;
alfo, <f Fear not, little flock," fays Chrift, " for it

c is your Father's good pleafure to give you a king-
<c dom ;" by which words, when received in faith,
the foul is infpired with courage and holy boldnefs,
to refift the tempter -, though we may have the dif-
advantage of being but few, and Satan and his fol
lowers many, who fupport his kingdom, with this
fmfu! principle and doctrine above-mentioned. One
great and wily way which he ufeth to uphold his
kingdom, is to wreft and abufe the holy Scriptures,
and ftrain them to his evil purpofes, as he ferved our
Lord, the Captain of our falvation, as will be Ihewn
hereafter. And indeed when he makes ufe of any
of the words of God, it is for an evil end, and that
end muft needs be wicked, which is to keep people
in fin, or to create a belief that we cannot live with
out it in this world ,• the which, if he can obtain,
and caufe people to believe, he knows he hath a great
advantage over them : for how Ihould clay, or dull
and afhes, overcome fin, who confefs they are, and
believe they always fhall be, finners ? wherefore let
us examine and fee what ufe he makes of thofe Scrip-
tures, which he brings to fupport people in fin, and
by which he makes them believe they can never live
without it ; fome of which are as followeth, viz. fir ft-,
beginning with that faying of our Lord Jefus Chrift,
Mat. xix. 17. to the young man that afked him,
What good thing he fliould do to inherit eternal
"life, calling him good Mailer;" our Saviour re
plies, <c Why calltft thou me good, there is none

6 that is good, but one, that is God." The young
man thought he was fpeaking to a mortal man ; and
it feems to have been the will of Chrift by this re
mark,

ijio CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED,

mark, both to caution his difciples againft the ufc
of vain compliments, and to let them know that this
young man had not true faith in him, as he was the
Son of God : and it is moft certainly true, that in
fulnefs and perfection, there is no man good, com
pared with God; but comparing men with men,
there are good men, women and children, who fear
God, and do truly love Chrift, and there have been a
few fuch in all ages, and will be fome fuch, to the
end of the world. To conftrue Chrift's words other-
wife, would be to abufe the holy Scriptures, which
Satan makes a common practice of doing.

2dly, Another is that expreflion of Solomon, in the
8th chapter of i Kings, verfe 46. " There is no man
«c that finneth not." The learned fay, this fhould
be interpreted, and c who may not fin.' But chough it
may truly be faid of men in one part of their lives or
other, or in the ftate of man in the fall or degenera
tion, in which ftate of unconverfion, there is no man
that finneth not : yet in the regeneration or new
birth, the apoftle John, in the 3d chapter of his firfb
epiftle, and 9th verfe, faith, that cc Whofoever is
<c born of God, doth not commit fin, for his feed re-
*c maineth in him : and he cannot fin, becaufe he is
born of God." It is this feed which would beget
this new and living birth, which makes us children
of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven, which
Satan would deftroy ; for he knows he fhall have an
enemy of every fuch foul, and therefore it is the
devil's intereft and endeavour to deftroy every fuch
birth and fuch belief, that Chriftians can poilibly at
tain to live without fin in the world.

jdly, Prov. 2Oth chapter, 9th verfe, who can fay,
<fc I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my
<< fin," the words of Solomon, the fon of David, who
prayed to the Almighty in his Pfalms : cc Create in
" me a clean heart, and renew a right," or pure
Cf fpirit within me/' which prayer was no doubt

anfwered :

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED*.

anfwered : but this is the work of God, and to him
all things are poffible, even that which looks im-
pofiible to men ; for <c he can make a man more
" pure than gold." So it being the work of God,
no man can fay, that he hath done it, that he hath
purified himfelf, or made himfelf clean. Can the
Almighty make a man pure ? it might with much
truth be anfwered, he can -, and it is fuppofed no
good Chriflian can, or will deny it : and then what
will become of that abfurd antichriftian and anti-
fcriptural tenet, we cannot be clean or pure from
fin, in this world ?

It may be faid, if there are any who live without
fin, they are but very few, a forrowful truth indeed I
but is it not every one's intereft to ftrive to be one of
thofe few, as it is alfo his indifpenfible duty : our
Lord alfo faith, that the way to his kingdom is flrait
and narrow, and that there are but few that find it.
Muft we therefore give up the caufe, and not feek
the kingdom, and becaufe of the difficulty of Chriit's
crofs here in this world, muft we go in the broad
way where there is much room and company. May
every true Chriftian fay, the Lord forbid, 1 humbly
pray, and nor only lay, but do that which is right in
the fight of God.

4thiy, The next is an exprefllon of Solomon's,
JLcclefiafteSj chapter 7th, verfe 20. <c There is
*c not a juft man upon the earth that doth good,
cc and finaeth not." This ihould be interpreted as
the former, f and who may not fin :' he fpeaketh of a
man in this (late of his vanity and fin, before a re
formation ; for divine wifdom, and the fear of the
Lord3 which he taughts keeps the heart clean, and
preferves from the fnares of fin, death, and the
devil : fo that this ftate of fin that he here fpeaks of,
muft be before man attains to the wifdom of God,
and before he comes truly to live in his fear. There
fore he muft certainly do good, who lives in the fear

of

512 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

of God, " which," as the fame Solomon fays, « is
<c the beginning of wifdom \ and to depart frdrn
<c iniquity, is a good underftanding," So that he
ihews man his itate of vanity, and alfo his ftate of
fin, as above, and teacheth people how to avoid it,
by fearing the Lord, and walking if* the counfel of
wifdom, i. e. Chrift's counfel, who is the wifdofti of
God to falvation. That all men are finners, before
the work of converfion, is true, and that the devil
defigns to keep them there to their lives end, is as
true ; and no likelier way can he do it, than by keep
ing them in a belief that they mutt live in fin, arid
cannot live without it whilft they live in this world ;
and when they come to die, then fear furprizes the
hypocrite, and terror takes hold of the ungodly :
and many times, when too late, they fee the fnares
•which the devil and fin hath brought them into.
Oh ! what pity it is, that this veil of darknefs is not
done away in time of youth, flrength, and health,
when the bones are full of marrow, and the veins are
full of blood : but the defign of Satan is to lead
people on in this pernicious principle till death,
and then before they are aware, they may drop into
eternal woe and mifery, where the wicked and the
ungodly muft be turned, with all them that forget
God: for into heaven, where Chrift is, " if we die
<c in our fins, we," as Chrift laid, " cannot come.'*
5thly, The apoftle John, in his firft epiftle, chap.
I. yerles 8, 9, and 10, writes thus; " If we fay we
" have'* had (as it may be termed) <c no fin, we
*f deceive ourfelves, and the truth is not in us. If
cc we con-fefs our fins, he is faithful and juft to for-
« give us our fins, and to cleanfe us from all un-
** righteoufnefs. If we fay we have not finned, we
<c make him a liar, and his word is not in us •,"
which anfwers to the 8th verfe, cc If we fay we have
*'• no fin, we deceive ourfelves :" the 9th verfe fully
lets us into the meaning of the 8th verfe, i. e. " If

« we

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

cf we confefs our fins/' for all ought to confefs,and
alfo to forfake their fins, cc all have finned, and be-
<f ing by nature children of wrath;" otherwife we
have no aiTurance of mercy from the holy Scrip-
,tures: then he, i.e. the Almighty, 4C is faithful and
<c juft to forgive us our fins, and to cleanfe us from
" all unrighteoufnefs." And pray what fin is there,
when we are cleanfed from all unrighteoufnefs ? and
then in the loth verfe he fays, cc if we fay we have
cf not finned, we make him a liar."

There is no doubt but that we have finned, which
is what the apoftle plainly points at in the 8th verfe.
And if any man fins, when he repents and for-
fakes, £C we have an advocate with the Father, even
" Jelus Chrift, the righteous: and God is faithful
<c and juft to forgive us our fins." But then we
muft repent and forfake, if we exped to find mercy ;
though we have fin, or have had fin, we muft not
always have it, for if we have it always, woe will be
to us, according to the words of God and Chrift.
Thus we fee how Satan is put to his fhifts to fupport
his finful kingdom, and how he abuies the holy
Scriptures, when he makes ufe of them, as will be
further made manifeft in what follows, as the fame
apoftle doth plainly demonftrate in his third chapter
of the above epiftie, verfes 7, 8, 9, and 10, faying,
" Let no man" (nor the devil neither, fay 1) " de-
" ceive you : he that doth righteoufnefs, is righte-
Cf otis : he that committeth fin, is of the devil."
This is plain and naked truth, let who will like, or
difiike it. Further, in the 9th and loth verfes, he
again repeats to the fame purpofe, faying, " In this
" the children of God are manifeft, and the children
" of the devil: whofoever doth not righteoufnefs., is
<c not of God." ergo, then he muft be of the devil,
while he is in unrighteoufnefs.

There are divers other places in the holy Scrip
tures, which he abufeth in like manner, and which

K k he

514 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

he and his children wreft to uphold him and his
kingdom of fm and unrighteoufnefs and themfelves
therein. So by and through the grace of God, we
may lee his wiles and delufions, and the rottennefs
of his caufe, as alib the unfafe and dangerous foun
dation of his building, through endeavouring unduly
to fupport the fame, by that which was always de-
figned to deftroy him and his kingdom, i. e. the
holy Scriptures. May all men judge in this matter,
whether that fpirit which would bring, pick, and
cull out a few verfes, and fometimes a few words out
of a verfe, in order to make them fpeak contrary to
the whole fcope and tenor, or tendency of true holy
Scriptures, and to plant a belief that we fhall never
overcome fin and unrighteoufnefs in this world,
though they, i. e. the holy Scriptures ail along ex
hort, and teach us to avoid fin and unrighteoufnefs,
and live a holy righteous life in this prefent world;
I fay, may all mortals judge whether fuch a fpirit
can be of God, or whether it be not of, and from the
father of lies : wherefore, if it be plainly proved,
that there have been thofe who have overcome fin
and Satan, and that Chrift repeatedly, and his holy
apoftles, he in them, and they in him, exhorted to
fight againft iin and the devil, who is the author of
all fin -, and Chrift faithfully promifing mod fweet
and gracious rewards to thofe who fhall overcome,
in order to encourage the fpiritual warrior to a faith
ful perfeverance, and refifting of fin and Satan : then
it is hoped that Satan will be wounded, his king
dom fhaken, and this evil deftrudive principle, in
fome meafure, laid wade in fome poor foul or fouls,
into whofe hands thefe may come.

ift. Then, beginning with the great apcftle of the
Gentiles^ a notable foldicr in the Lamb's fpiritual war,
<c I have," fays he, cc fought a good fight, I have
" finifhed my courfe, 1 have kept the faith. Hence-
<c forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouf-

" nefs,

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 515

tc nefs, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
" give to me at that day: and not to me only, but
cc unto all thofe that love his appearing." And if
this be not encouragement, what is? he alfo faith,
cc Be ye followers of me, even as I alfo am of Chrift."
Here is example, exhortation, and encouragement,
with experience.

2dly. Another of the apoftles, John^ in his firfl
epiftle, chap. ii. verfe 13, is pofitive, that thofe
young men he writes to, had already overcome the
wicked one, " I write unto you/' fays he, " young
cc men, becaufe you have overcome the wicked one/'
And in the i4th verfe, he repeats it again, as though
he would doubly and deeply imprint it in their
minds. cf I have written unto you, young men, be-
" caufe ye are ftrong, and the word of God abideth
<c in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
Here were young men, who were truly valiant and
noble, to wage war with the wicked one. If it was
pofiible for them, why is it not poflible for us alfo ?
oh ! that our young men of this generation, would
take thofe young men for their examples, to make
war with this wicked one, and truly endeavour to
pull down his kingdom. It is worth our notice,
that thofe young men had the word of God abiding
in them ; by this fword of the Spirit they overcome,
by it they were cleanfed, by taking heed to walk ac
cording to its directions, as it is written, cc Where-
<c with fhall a young man cleanfe his ways ? by tak-
<c ing heed thereto, according to thy word." The
great' reafon why young men are overcome, in {lead
of overcoming, is their heedlefsnefs to, and of the
word; for notwithstanding their bones may be full
of marrow, and their veins full of blood, and nature
ftrong, having many temptations to fin and evil -f
yet, by taking heed to the word, they might be re
formed : and through the immediate power and
ftrength thereof, may overcome the wicked one.
K k 2 So

516 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

So here were young men who actually overcame fin
and Satan, that this holy fervant of Jefus wrote to,
by way of encouragement. Is the arm of the Lord
iliortened ? Surely no. It is true, mortals are fhort
in their duty, but not the Almighty in his holy arm
of power, nor his dear Son, in his unparalleled love,
and moft pure doctrine ; whofe doctrine fhall be fee
down, as the Spirit indited it to the feven churches
in Afia. Firft to the, church of Epbefus. Secondly,
to the church of Smyrna. Thirdly to the church of
Pergamus. Fourthly, to the church of Tbyatira.
Fifthly, to the church of Sardis. Sixthly, to the
church of Philadelphia. Seventhly, to the church of
Laodicea.

Firft, To the church of Ephefus, Rev. ii. 7. " He
" that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the
cc Spirit faith unto the churches, to him that over-
cc cometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which
" is in the midft of the paradife of God." Here is
an excellent promife and blelTed encouragement to
fuch as believe, and are faithful, and are defirous to
fight in the Lamb's war againft fin and Satan : the,
fame apoille gives a defcription of this tree of life,
in the abovefaid book ; that it bears twelve manner
of fruits, and bears its fruits every month, and its
leaves are for the healing of the nations- which
myfticaily points at Chrift, who is faithful in his
precious promifes and doctrine, and has that virtue
in him, that through faith, will heal the nations of
their wounds which fin has given them. Thofe who
continually eat of the tree of life, fhall live for ever ;
but a flaming fword will turn every way, to keep
the unbelieving finners from it : none in a ftate of
fin and difobedience can come to enjoy the paradife
of God. The above is an excellent promife to all
thofe who overcome fin, and the devil, who is the
author of it.

Secondly,

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 517

Secondly, To the church of Smyrna, Rev. ii. n.
<f He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the
" fpirit faith to the churches. He that overcometh
<c fhall not be hurt of the fecond death :" which is
that eternal death which is in hell, or that lake of
fire which burns for ever, where the worm never
dieth, and the fire never goeth out. This holy war
fare is certainly a fighting for life, againft eternal
death and hell ; which is of much greater confe-
quence than natural life and death. Oh ! fight for
your lives againft fin and Satan, againft pride and
vanity, and all manner of wickednefs ; put on the
whole armour of light ; look unto God, through
Chrift the victorious Lamb, that you may be faved
from the eternal lake of fire, and not be hurt of the
fecond death. Oh ! may we know a dying daily to
fin, to the world, the flefh, and the devil, that we
-may live unto God, through faith in his dear Son
Jefus Chrift.

Thirdly, To the church of Pergamus, Rev. ii. 17.
" He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what
<c the Spirit faith to the churches. To him that
<c overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden
<c manna ; and I will give him a white ftone, and in
" the ftone a new name written, which no man
" knoweth, faving he that receiveth it." Here are
four excellent promifes to him that overcometh; the
Lord opens his treafury of life, and of wifdom, in
order to invite fouls to the mighty battle of the
Lamb, who is not like the princes of this world,
who fornetimes promife great things to their foldiers
or followers, and do not perform •, but God's pro
mifes are all yea and amen for ever.

The firft promife is, to eat of the hidden manna :
the children of Ifrael eat manna, outwardly, as it is
written, in the wildernefs, and are dead ; but thofe
who eat of this hidden manna, this angels food, and
K k 3 who

ji8 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

who are hid with God in Chrift, thefe fhall never die
i. e. fpiritually, for this hidden manna is the flefh
and blood of the Son of God, who faid, tc Except ye
" eat my fiefh and drink my blood, ye have no life
" in you," John vi. 31. 49, 50, 51, &c.

Second promife is, to have a white (tone; this
ftone is Chrift, who is the chief corner {lone of God's
building or church, the New Jerufalem, which the
wife letter-learned mafter-builders fet at nought;
but he is the head of the faints building or corner,
and a holy precious ftone, the elect or chofen of God,
the gift of God, to all thofe who truly believe, and
overcome fin, as he did -, and as it is written, " If
<c he give us his Son, fhall he not with his Son give
cc us all things ?" there is abundance of talk and
writing about the philofopher's ftone •, but this white
flone, which is the gift of God to thofe who over
come fin and Satan, is the true philoibpher's flone.
A philofopher is a lover of wifdom, and Chrift is the
wifdom of God : this ftone will certainly do mira
cles for them that have it, through the virtue of its
power, it will procure joy in tribulation, patience in
afflictions, health in ficknefs, riches in poverty,
ftrength in weaknefs, liberty in bonds, and to fum
up all, which indeed is a great fum, life in death.

Third promife, cc and in the ftone a new name :"
How many gay fparks and beaus would do abun
dance to gain honour or a name among men ? no
thing is dear to them in this world, neither their
eftates, nor the neareft relation they have in the
world, fo that they may gain a name here below ;
no, not even their own lives; but, oh ! did mortals
know the virtue of this name, and were they in love
with it, then the world, and all its fading beauty
and vanity, would be nothing to them in comparifoa
of this name, which is better than the names of
fons of worldly glory, and maids or daughters of
honour ; for thofe outward names are fading, viz.

To-day

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

To-day a king, a prince, a duke, an earl, a lord, a
knight, and, has been, and may be again, to-morrow
on the fcaffbld : but this name which the King of
kings giveth thofe who overcome fin and Satan, is
a name which will outlaft time, and it will endure
to eternity.

Fourth promife is, That it fliould be fecret, only
to the world3 but furely known to him that hath it.
Great men, with their adls and titles of honour,
are blazoned abroad in the world, they have many
enemies many ways, who envy them ; and yet fome
are fo vain as to love grandeur and popularity, not-
withftanding ; but he that hath a name that Chrift
gives, fo long as he is fenfible of in himfelf, he is
therewith fatisfied.

Now as this is the portion, and more, which is
hereafter mentioned, of thofe who overcome the
wicked one, then, on the contrary, what will become
of thofe who live and delight in fin, and are daily
overcome with it ? for the holy Scriptures are pofi-
tive, that " the wicked, with all thofe that forget
« God, (hall be turned into hell." This is the de
terminate will of God : and that we may take the
more notice of it., to obferve and do his will, he hath
caufed it to be written down in the language of the
holy Spirit, in the holy Scriptures of truth, which
are of no private interpretation; but naked, and
open to mean capacities. The holy Scriptures are
not to be interpreted to the private intereft of any
particular perfon, or fet of perfons only ; but are a
general benefit unto all the faithful believers and
followers of Chrift, through the whole world.

Fourthly, To the church at Tbyatira^ Rev. ii. 26.
to the end -9 cc And he that overcometh, and keep-
" eth my works unto the end, to him I will give
" power over the nations, and I will give him the
cc morning-flar. He that hath an ear to ear, let
Jc him hear what the fpirit faith unto the churches.1'

K k 4 The

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED;

The Spirit flill continues promifing his gracious pri
vileges upon condition of overcoming: wherefore,
if it had been impofilble to have overcome fm and
Satan, then all thefe promifes would have been in
vain, and the holy Scriptures deceiving, which
would be to make (Thrift and the apoftles deceivers ;
but Chrift, his apoftles, and the holy Scriptures, are
true, and everyone that contradicts God, is a liar.

Let it be obferved, that there muft be a keeping
the word to the end alfo ; for divers have run well
for a time, and overcome many fins, through the
help and goodnefs of God, and yet afterwards have
run into fin again, whereby they have grieved the
good Spirit of God, by which they fhould have been
fealed to the day of redemption, and fo the Lord
hath taken his good Spirit and gift of light and
grace from them, and left them to themfelves, and
their own hearts lufts ; but fuch as hold out in well
doing to the end, the fame fhall be faved, and
" thofe fhall have power over the nations;" the laws
of men, pr powers of the earth or hell, cannot hurt
them; but they will be as kings and priefts unto
God, rulmg over their own fpirits ; fuch an one is
greater than one that ruleth a city, and cannot go
vern himielf. ^ Another excellent gift -is promifed
here to the victorious Chriftian warrior, viz. " I
" will give him the morning-ftar :" it is indeed a
very comfortable gift, to behold the morning-ftar,
after a long, tedious ftormy night, earneiily waiting
for ^ the morning: oh! it is wonderful pleafant.
This morning-ftar the writer of thefe lines hath wit-
nefied, both as to his natural and fpiritual travails ;
but efpecially to his inward ftate and condition as a
Chriftian^ ^Thofe that have a true fight and fenfe
of this divine ftar, are made to -rejoice 5 for then
they dp infallibly know, that the day of the Moft
High is at hand, and that his kingdom draws near
unto them. Amen, holy Lord Jefus I

As

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 521

As the day-ftar is a fore-runner of the natural day,
fo is the heavenly morning-ftar a fore-runner of the
day of the Mod High to the foul.

Fifthly, To the church of Sardts, Rev. in. 5.
« He that overcometh (hall be clothed in white
<c raiment, and I will not blot his name out of the
" book of life; but I willconfefs him before^ my
<c Father, and before his angels. He that^ hath an
cc ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit faith un-
" to the churches/5 Thefe promifes of God, through
his Spirit, and through his fervant, to the church of
Sardis, is, " That thofe who overcome fhall be
" clothed in white raiment •," and he fays in the 4th
verfe of the fame chapter, That that church had a
few in her who had not defiled their garments, who
fhould -walk with him in white, for, faith he, they
are worthy. So that they were a few undefiled
ones, who had overcome; although others were
blameable, whom the Spirit reproved fharply; but
alfo, as above, promifcd that thofe who overcame
fhould be clothed in white raiment ; which raiment
is that clean linen called the " righteouihefs of the
" faints,'* or elfewhere, " the wedding garment/1 and
tc the garment unfpotted of the world," without hav
ing which, we may expect to be afked, how we dare to
prefume to approach the holy prefence of a juft and
rio-hteous God, who is of purer eyes than to behold
iniquity, with allowance or .approbation, as it is
written, c' Friend, how cameft thou hither, not hav-
" ing on the wedding garment .?J> and by the pro-
mife'to the church, that thofe who overcame,' their
names fhall not be blotted out of the book of life.
It plainly appears, that thofe who fight the Lamb's
battle, and overcome fin and Satan, their names are
upon record in heaven, and written in the Lamb's
book of life : it alfo appears, that we may have done
well or valiantly infome things, yet if we fuffer our-
felves to be overcome of fin, there is danger, though

our

522 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

our names are in, we may have them blotted out of,
the book of life.

Third promife is very excellent and glorious, viz.
" But I will confefs him before my Father, and be-
w fore his holy angels." Oh ! wonderful honour !
to have Chrift confefs that we are his, and belong to
him, and have been men of courage in this holy war,
and overcome the enemy, and been victorious in this
fight of faith ; to confefs us there before God and
his angels, muft needs be unfpeakable honour done
us before the armies in heaven. He exprefTed again
his repeated advice to thofe who have ears, faying,
<c He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
*' faith to the churches:'' which is much wanting
among men, and alfo a believing heart : I query,
Is not God, Chrift, and the Holy Ghoft, ftronger
than the world, the flefh, and the devil ? but is not
this belief of it not being polTible to overcome fin,
and faying, that we cannot do it while we are here
in this world, as much as to believe and fay, that
Satan and nature is ftronger than God and grace.

Sixthly, To the church at Philadelphia, the Spirit
faith, Rev. iii. 12, 13. " Him that overcometh will
cc I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he
<c fhall go no more out : and I will write upon him,
*c the name of my God, and the name of the city of
<c my God, &c. He that hath an ear to hear, let him
<c hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches.'*
Here is promife upon promife, all to perfuade, ex
cite, and invite people to fight the fight of faith,
believing they lhall obtain the victory, and to def-
troy the principle of unbelief: the overcomer,
through grace, is to be made a pillar in the temple
of God ; that is, one of his church, who helps to
fupport the credit of it, through a true Chriftian
reputation in his converfation. Such an one is a
pillar in the church-militant here on earth, and will,
if he is faithful to the end, be aifo of the church-trU

umphant

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 523

umphant in heaven ^ and he will not go out any
more, but will abide in, and with Chrift for ever.9*
Here are gofptl promifes and privileges, happy are
they who through faith attain thereto : how much
have Chriftians need to be concerned before God,
for the excellent gift of faith, fince, " without faith
<c it is impofTible to pleafe God." And as our Sa
viour faith, " If ye had faith but as a grain of muf-
<c tard-feed, ye might fay to this mountain, be re-
te moved, and caft into the fea, and it iliould be
cc fo." Now though fin indeed is grown a very
great mountain, in this age and generation, yet
through true faith it is removed, according to the
doctrine of Chrift, bleffed be his holy name. Upon
thofe overcomers, the Lord hath alfo promifed as
above, to cc write upon them the name of God, and
" the name of the city of God, which is new Jerufa-
<c lem> which comcth down from heaven, which is
" the mother of all faints." Here is a train of
glorious exprefiions, and mighty promifcs, enough
to infpire the tender foul with ftrong defires after
God and Chrift, and his kingdom. My heart is
deeply affected at this time, in the fenfe of the love
of our heavenly Father ; and my fpirit is greatly
concerned for the welfare of the children of men,
my fellow mortals. Oh! that they might believe,
and that believing they might have life, through the
name of Chrift. It is obfervable, that to overcome,
is the condition of obtaining all thefe great and glo
rious promifes ; and overcoming is repeated feven
times, once to every church. And to fay after all
thofe glorious and fair promifes, that fin and Satan
cannot be overcome, is not the confequence of fuch
faying or belief, to make Chrift a deceiver ? which
is abfurd and antichriftian doctrine.

Seventhly, To the church of Laodicea, Rev. iii.
21, 22. " To him that overcometh will I grant to
<c fit with m,e in my throne* even as I alfo over-

4C came.

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

c came, and am fet down with my Father in his

; throne. He that hath an ear to hear, let him

hear what the Spirit faith unto the churches "

What -greater promife could Chrift make to his

church than this, to take her into his throne, and'in-

tohis Father's kingdom, into his bofom of love?

this is wonderful kind indeed. Bu,t then, oh !

Chnftian, the condition is to overcome, as Chrift

overcame.

Now fmce it may be beneficial to Chriftians to
underftand, and to confider duly, this great fight or
battle, and how this great conqueror overcame;
and becaufe we are to follow him, and to take him
for our example, let us have a defcription of it, it
being the greateft encounter or battle, that ever was
in the world, between the Prince of Life, and the
king of the bottomlefs pit. The hiftory of which,
is worth the reading of the greateft prince or monarch •
on earth, fmce they muft leave this low world, and
lay down all their crowns when death calls them to
fight this battle, and to follow this Monarch, who
hath all divine power in heaven and earth, and to
take his direction, is every man's duty and intereft,
both noble and ignoble. The holy evangelifts,'
Matthew and Luke, give us an account of this great
fight, in the 4th chapter of Matthew, and 4th chap
ter of Luke, and agree in the moft weighty matters,
though they did not exactly word it alike, yet the
fubftance is the fame, and the temptation, conflict,
or battle, all one. ift. Satan bids Chrift, as Mat*
tbew&ndLuke has it, <c command the ftones,or ftone,
" to be made bread." 2dly, « Tocaft himfelfdown
" from the pinnacle of the temple." jdly, « To
f< worfhip the devil,- or fall down to him." 'Mat. iv.
ift verfe. to the nth. « Then was Jefus led up of
" the Spirit into the wildernefs, to be tempted of
<c the devil. And when he had fafted forty days
" and forty nights, he was afterward, an hungred.

" And

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTE D. 515

" And when the tempter came to him, he faid, If
" thou be the Son of God, command that thefe
« ftones be made bread. But he," i. e. Chnft,
« anfvvered and faid, it is written, Man (hall," or
doth, " not live by bread alone, but by every word
<c that proceeded! out of the mouth of God. Then
" the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and
" fetteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and faith
" unto him, If thou be the Son of God, caft thyfeii
" down : for it is written, He (hall give his angels
" charge concerning thee," (it is obfervable that
the devil was here at his old trade of perverting of
the holy Scriptures : the Scriptures faying, that <
" fhall give his angels charge concerning thee, to
" keep thee in ail thy ways," &c. as in the Pfalms :
which words Satan left out, for they gave much
light to fee his temptation. Thofe words which
expofed him he hides, for he hates light and truth)
«« and in their hands they fhall bear thee up, left at
" any time thou dafh thy foot againft a ftone, Jelus
" faid unto him, It is written again, Thou fhalt not
" tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil ta-
<c ke'th him up into an exceeding high mountain,
« and iheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,
" and the glory of them. And faith unto him, All
" thefe things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall
" down and worfhip me. Then faid Jefus unto
« him. Get thee hence, Satan-: for it. is written,
" Thou fhalt worfhip the Lord thy Gocl, and him
« only fhalt thou ferve. Then the devil leaveth.
<c him, and behold, angels came and miniftred unto
" him," Behold how the Saviour of the world
overcame the devil, and his temptations. As he did,
fo ought all Cbriftians to refift the tempter, as it is
written, " Refift the devil, and he will fly." Here
we may fee he is a conquered enemy ; and we are
told, " By Chrift's Spirit, we muft overcome, as he
« alfo overcame." After our Lord had fafted forty

days,

526 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

days, and forty nights, he was hungry, at which time
the devil urged him, if he was the Son of God, then
to make the ftone, or ftones bread, knowing him to
be hungry : thus after the fame manner he tempts
us poor mortals, by laying his fnares, and baiting
his hook, according to the nature and propenfity of
the perfon he is engaged withal : if a man, woman,
or child, be addicted to paffion, pride, fwearing, ly
ing, drunkennefs, taking the facred name in vain,
idle or vain difcourfes to fteal away our precious
time : let the fin be what it will, that which we are
moft naturally addicted to, there will he lay his
temptations, for he preys upon our weaknefs, and
plies the weakeft part in us moft-, for which reafon,
we have need to keep a find watch : as Chrift
advifcd to <c watch and pray continually, left we
ic Ihould enter into temptation ;" for it is no fin to
be tempted, but the fin is to entertain, and enter in
to the temptation ; if we overcome, as Chriil did,
it is an honour to be tempted, and a fecret joy fprings
in the foul, in a fenfe of its victory, in fore conflicts
between the enemy and the foul ; the Lord mani-
fefting his divine grace for our affiftance and help.
Here we can take the advice of the apoftle, when he
fays, cc Count it all joy when ye fall into divers
" temptations;" and alfo overcome them as Chrift
did, by refiftance.

If it be objected, though Chrift overcame, yet I
am a poor finful creature, and have no power ; but
he had and hath all power, both in heaven and earth,
committed into his hands, fo that he might well
overcome him. It is well if thou feeft thou haft no
power, and if thou alfo feeft that Chrift hath won
derful power; then fmce we have no power of our-
felves, we muft, by prayer and humble fupplication,
apply to him for it, in time of need ; believing, that
he who hath made fo many encouraging promifes as
are before recited, hath alfo grace, and will give

both

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 527

both grace and glory to thofe who diligently feek
him : elfe why did he make fo many excellent pro-
mifes to the fpiritual warriors ? this is worthy of the
notice of all, that Satan is a conquered and limited
enemy and adverfary. It is a fweet portion of gof-
pel tidings, and good news, that the devil cannot
force any one, whether he will or not, into fin ; for
if he could, no flefh could be faved. As for in-
fiance, if a man, woman, or child, were tempted by
Satan to tell a lie, he cannot force thee to it againft
thy will ; fo that th.ere mufl be a cowardly giving
way, and falling from the Lamb's ftandard, or en^
fign, and going over to Satan, if man is overcome
of fin and wickednefs : for if we (land ftiffly againfl
him, although we be weak in ourfelves, our great
Mailer, who feeth us in fecret, if we cry to him for
help, will come to our afllftance, he whom Satan
could never conquer ; therefore it is fafe to all pro-
fefiing the name of Jefus Chrift, to keep near unto
him, through faith in his name and power, which
ever was, is, and will be, a ftrong tower to thofe
who fly thereto for fafety. Chrift did not do as the
devil tempted him, or perfuaded him to do ; but
he withftands the temptation, with this reply, " It
" is written, man lives not by bread alone, but by
' every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
" God :" for there is life in every word of God.
Thus our Lord overcame him ; for Satan cannot
refift, fo as to make void, or lay wade the words of
God in the holy Scriptures of truth, when they are
brought into our minds by his Spirit, to uphold and
promote the kingdom of God and Chrift, and to
deftroy the kingdom of fin and Satan; though he,
i. e. the devil, makes ufe of thofe facred writings,
often wrefting them, and bringing them for evil
ufes, and wrong purpofes, as moft certainly he doth,
when he alledgeth from them, that people cannot
live otherwife than in fin,

Then,

5-3 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

Then, as Mattbew has it, Ke had our Lord to the
pinnacle of the temple, and bid him caft himfelf
down •, for, fays Satan, " it is written, he fhall give
" his angels charge concerning thee, left at any
cc time thou dafh thy foot againft a ftone." Though
he was once.dvercome, yet he has the boldnefs to
tempt yet again : as Chrift overcame him by his
power, making ufe of the holy Scriptures, he now
tries what he can do with the Scriptures, he tempts
Chrift with them, that he might tempt his Father;
and ib he tempts poor mortals by the Scriptures, to
keep them in fin, by making a wrong ufe of them,
and mifapplying them ; and if he can hold them. in
fin, he knows it is the ready way to caufe the Al
mighty to be angry with them ; and if they hold
out in it to the end, to turn them at laft into hell,
•where the wicked muft be turned. And he begins
his temptations with an, <c If thou be the Son of
" God," though he knew very well that he was the
Son of God -, yet like fome of his evil feed, or feed
of evil-doers, tempted him to {hew a fign ; but our
Lord did not gratify either him or them, but re
buked them both, as they well deferve.d •, and fo by
denial and refiftance he overcame, and we alfo muft
the fame way. After this our Lord makes a true
and right ufe of the Scriptures, faying, cc It is writ-
<c ten again, thou fhalt not tempt the Lord thy
Cf God." And truly, thofe who read the holy
Scriptures, and know how much they fpeak againft
fin, and for righteoufnefs, and who yet notwithftand-
ing live in fin and ungodlinefs, and plead for it even
from the facred writings, which were wrote on pur-
pofe to deftroy fin, fhould ferioufly coniider, whe
ther they are not guilty of tempting, of God, which
Chrift fays, it is written thou fhalt not do. Oh !
that people would turn away from fin and Satan, and
break off from their fins by repentance, and their
iniquities by amendment of life, which is the way to

have

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 529

Have the days of their tranquility lengthened out in
this world, and to be happy in that which is without
end to come; for, as it is written, "The wicked do
c not live out half their days ;" which, according to
my obfervution, is a true general rule. How many
have been taken offin their prime and ftrength, and
in the flower of their years, who might, according
to the courfe of nature, have lived many years, had
they been fober and temperate, and lived in the fear
of God ? If it be afked, Do not pious young people
die alfo ? Yes, but not ib frequently as intemperate
ones ; I have had occafion to obferve it in divers
parts of the world ; and befides, if pious young peo
ple leave this world, their exchange is glorious 5
whereas the wicked and ungodly make a fad bitter
exchange; and fince life is ib uncertain, and death
fo fure and certain to all, even to male and female,
what care and fear ought there to be on all, of of
fending fo merciful a God, and fo fweet a Saviour,
who overcame, to ihew us the way to overcome al
fo ; and died for fin, that we might die to the world,
and the finful part of it, and to live to him, exhort
ing of us to overcome as he alfo did, and then prorni-
ieth to take us for his companions with himfelf, and
his Father, in his heavenly kingdom.

Satan repeats his temptation^ again a third time;
for he is an unwearied enemy, and will tempt poor
mortals over and over, many times ; but he is to be
refifted as often as he tempts, if we will follow the
connfel and example of Chrift ; and this was his laft
temptation for that conflict, as one of the evanselifts
obferves, « he takes him up into an exceeding high
c mountain, and fheweth him all the kingdoms of
« the world, and the glory of it." A temptation
which takes with abundance of fouls; the glory,
riches, and greatnefs of this world, ruins many, they
having it, and being fwclled with pride therein';
fome are deftroying themfelves to get it, and cannot

L 1 attaift

530 CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED.

attain to it; and many would endeavour to create a
belief of themfelves, that they are greater, richer, and
more noble, than they really are ; which is a temp
tation of the evil one •, for we ought to think meanly
of ourfelves ; and if we will follow Chrift's example,
make ourfelves of no reputation ; and when Satan
would tempt us to be proud, or high of mind, we
then fhould refift, as Chrift did, who faid to the de
vil in this temptation, " Get thee behind me Satan,
€ c for it is written, Thou fhalt worfhip the Lord thy
fc God, and only him {hah thou ferve." If this
holy rule was followed, as Chrift inftituted it, then
we fhould overcome fin and Satan : Chrift's inftitu-
tion is, that (C the hour cometh, and now is, that
cc thofe that worfhip the Father, muil worfhip him
fc in Spirit and in truth.3' It is too much worfliip
or homage to fall down to, or worfhip Satan ; but
the duty of every Chriftian is to worfhip the Lord
God of heaven and earth, for he it is whom we
fhould only, i. e. chiefly, and mainly, ferve and wor
fliip, and that not only in a formal way, but with
hearts truly devoted to do his will •, we are to wor
lhip the Father in Spirit and in truth, into which the
devil can never come ; though he may get into the
form of it, he cannot overcome us, where the power
of Chrift is lived in ; for by the power of God, which
dwells in Chrift, who overcame, by the fame power,
Chriftians do and fliould overcome : fo the devil was
forced to fly when Chrift refilled him, and fo he will
when Chriftians refift in Chrift : and when Chrift had
overcome, then the angels came and mmiftred unto
him ; likewife the guardian angel of God's holy pre-
fence will admin ifter fweet comfort and pleafure to
every true foul, who ftands truly for the caufe of
God and Chrift againft fin and Satan, fincerely en
deavouring to pull down Satan's kingdom, or fin,
which upholds it, and faithfully defires to exalt the
kingdom of God and his dear Son, Now he or fhe

t't

CHRIST'S KINGDOM EXALTED. 531

that believes, and overcomes, for without belief it
is impofiible to overcome, thofe are truly intitled to
all the abovefaid precious promifes, and privileges,
otherwife the wrath of God will be revealed from
heaven againft all ungodlinefs and unrightcoufnefs
of men, and againft all thofe who hold the truth in
feif-righteoufnefs, or unrighteoufnefs. Again, f c Tri-
<f bulation and anguifli upon every foul of man that
<f doth'evil, of the Jew firft, andalfo of the Gentile $
cc but glory, honour, and peace to every man that
<c worketh good, to the Jew firft, and alfo to the
cc Gentile ; for there is no refpecl: of perfons with
<c God," Rom. ii. 9, 10, n. Here the ways of
God are equal, but the ways of man and Satan are
unequal; fin, iniquity, and tranfgrefllon, are of the
devil, and of man in the fall ; but righteoufnefs, ho-
linefs, and truth, are of God, to which man is re-
llored, through regeneration and reformation. Glory
over all be given to God and the Lamb, for ever.
Amen*

L 1 2 SOME

( S32 >

SOME

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

CALL, W O R K, and WAGES,

OF THE

MINISTERS OF CHRIST.

SOMfeTHING hath been on my mind to write,
concerning the work of the miniftry of the gof-
pel of Chrift, with a defign of inftrudtion to minifters
in particular, and the benefit of others in general.

It is an unfpeakable benefit to mankind, to be fa
voured with a powerful, living miniftry, which edi
fies the church of God, and builds up the true be
lievers in the mod holy faith, according to the word
of God, in Chrifl Jefus, who is the great minifter of
the true tabernacle and fanctuary, which God hath
pitched, and not man ; and this great Minifter fenc
forth his minifters and fervants, faying, *c I fend you
<c forth as flieep among wolves ; be ye therefore
ec wife as ferpents, and harmlefs as doves." He did
not fend them forth as lords over his heritage, nor
as perfecuting priefts, or mercenary hirelings, but
laid to them, <c Freely you have received, freely
«« give :" here is no compulfion nor force enjoined
by Chrift 3 but it is plain, from his own doctrine and

example,

of the Minifters of C H R i s T. 533

example, that his miniftry is' a free miniftry, blefled
be his holy name and truth forever : nor do we read
or underftand of any alteration thereof by Chrift :
indeed the minifters of antichrift have made an al
teration, contrary to this doctrine of his, in their
miniftry; but the holy apoftles, who after Chrift
w^re the firft planters of Chriftianity in the earth,
•when it (hone in its primitive beauty and glory, they
followed the counfel of their Lord and Mailer, and
rniniflered freely : then was the power of Chrift's
miniftry and gofpel, through his minifters and fer-
vants great, and the glory and beauty thereof ravifh-
ing to pious fouls. Oh! may every true minifter, .
and every fenfible foul, bow before the Moft High,
and blefs the holy name of him that lives and reigns
for ever, for this unfpeakable gift of Chrift's holy
miniftry, which always was, now is, and ever will
be, convincing and converting unto fouls, who are
not flow at heart to believe in God, and in his dear
Son the Lord Jefus Chrift, who is our great High
Prieft, and the Bilhop of fouls •, he faw the need that
his church had of this his miniftry, and therefore he
eftablifhed it in his church, and among his follow
ers, to the end of time.

Now, in order to this great and wonderful work,
he told his difciples, when he was going into his
glory and kingdom of his Father, <c That he would
" pray to the Father, and he would fend them ano-
<c ther Comforter, the Spirit of truth, and that he
<c fhould abide with them for ever." And he alia
told them, that " when he is come, he fhall firft re-
cc prove, or convince the world of fin, becaufe they
" believe not in. me;" for if they believed truly in
Chrift, they would love his fpiritual appearance ;
but oh how many are there in the world, who flight
this high favour, and grace of God and Chrift, cal
ling this wonderful gift and grace, the light of na
ture ; whereas Chrift. fay sa it is the Holy Ghoft -, and

L 1 3 the

534 Confiderations on the Call, Work and Wages

the apoftle Paul fays, " it is God's grace, that
" teaches us to deny ungodlinefs, and hath appear-
cc ed unto all men/' Oh that the children of men
might love that which appears to them, and con-
vinceth them of their fins -, and furely it is a great
fin not to believe in the Spirit and light of Chrift :
fuch unbelieving fouls are in darknefs, and not yet
turned from darknefs unto light, and from the pow
er of Satan, to the power of God, which was the very
work Chrift's minifters were fent of God to do.

sdly, And he convinceth or reproveth the world
of righteoufnefs, becaufe I go to the Father, and ye
fee me no more. When their righteoufnefs is only
wrought in the wifdom of man, and not by the pow
er of God, whether it be in preaching or worfhip,
•when only the form, and not the power, is witnef-
fed, this then convinceth them, that they have been
building their religion upon a wrong bottom, and a
fandy foundation ; and fheweth the formal minifter,
that he is only a minifter of the letter, and not of
the Spirit; and the formal worihipper, that he is
not yet come to worfhip in Spirit and truth ; and
the profeflbr of Chrift in words, that he denieth him
in works and inward faith; becaufe cc faith without
fe works is dead," as works without this fpiritual
faith is dead alfo.

" Becaufe I go to the Father," is the wonderful
caufe given by Chrift, for it is Chrift's righteoufnefs
that muft fave the foul, and Chrift being gone to the
Father, the foul muft go there to him, for all his
gifts and favours, mercies and bleflings, and muft
witnefs'him in Spirit to be with them, and in them,
as he is in the Father. When Chrift was perfonally
on earth, he taught us by words vocally exprefled ;
but henceforth know we him fo no more. Now he
teacheth us by his fpiric, light, and life, which con
vinceth us of form without power, and letter with
out Spirit, and religion without life, and righteouf
nefs

of the Minifters of CHRIST. 535

nefs without grace, and light and imputative righte
oufnefs, without actual righteoufnefs, and actual or
formal righteoufnefs in our own wills, only : all
this, and much more, it convinceth us, not to be ef
fectual tofalvation, and fheweth us that the fpiritual
power, and prefence of Chrift, is abfolutely necefTary
for the work of the ininiftry, and the convention of
fouls.

3dly, " He convinceth the world of judgment,
cc becaufe the prince of this world is judged.'* He,
the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, when he is come,
fheweth us our wrong judgment, and convinceth us
of the evil of being too cenforious, rafli, and uncha
ritable, in judging, and plainly giveth us to under-
ftand, that fuch judgment is from the prince of this
world, who is king over all the children of pride,
and that this prince, or evil Spirit, is judged by the
righteous and juft judge of heaven and earth, Chrift
Jefus. He alfo convinceth us of the everlafting
truth, as it is in Jefus, and is our fure comforter,
while we keep therein, in doctrine, worfliip, and
converfation.

4thly, " He fhall bring all things," or thofe
things, cf to your remembrance, which I have fpo-
cc ken unto you." Wherefore this gift is abfolutely
necefTary for a minifler of Chrift ; and every true be
liever in him, wants this remembrancer, which muft
needs be a great comfort to us, to have his excel
lent fpeeches and divine do&rine brought by his
own Spirit to our remembrance, if we do love him
in fincerity.

5thly, <c He fhall receive of mine, and fhew it
" unto you," fays Chrift. Take of his light, his
life, his grace, his wifdom, his mercy, peace, and
truth, and fhew it. unto you. Oh infinite love from
a tender Saviour ! well may we admire his goodnefs,
and intirely love him above all things in this world.

L 1 4 6thly,

536 Confiderations on the Call, Work and Wages

6thly, Chrift fpeaks in divers places concerning

this wonderful and extraordinary gift of the Holy

Ghoft or Spirit, and in the i4th chapter, and i6th

and iyth verfes of John, he thus drops his divine

words, <c I will pray the Father, and he (hall give

« you another Comforter, that hefmay abide with

<c you for ever 5 even the Spirit of truth, whom the

" world cannot receive, becaufe it feeth him nor,

cc neither knoweth him.: but ye know him, for he

«c dwelleth with you, and fhall be in you." Oh!

ye minifters of the Lord Jefus Chrift, in this his gift

is your ftrength, your comfort, and your exceeding

great reward, both here and hereafter, for ever; far

exceeding filver or gold, or the diadems of princes :

the whole world, wanting this, lieth in wickednefs,

and mud lie there unavoidably, if they have not the

fenfe of this unfpeakable gift : there cannot be fal-

vation, nor any laving miniftry without it -, it being

abfolutely needful, to the being and well-being of a

minifter of Chrift : and indeed the holy text is plain,

and pofitive, that " he that hath not the Spirit of

<c Chrift, is none of his ;" none of his minifter, none

of his believer: .oh ! no, they cannot be his in any

good refpeft whatfoever, without his Spirit. But if

it ihould be obje&ed, How fhall we do to know the

minifter or the man who hath this divine gift, or

Spirit of Chrift, fince it may be pretended to both

by the minifters and people; and yet they may not

have it in reality? this indeed is a great point, and

highly neceffary to be fearched into, which is to be

known by our Lord's rule, which he has prefcribed

for that end. " Do men," faith he, <c gather grapes

" of thorns, or figs of thiftles ?" furely no. The

grape is gathered from the vine, and the fig from

the fig-tree; "wherefore by their fruits ye fhall

" know them." Now thofe, according to this true

rule, who have the Spirit, or Holy Ghoft, they bring

forth the fruits of it : which fruits are love, chanty,

mceknefs.

of the Minifters of CHRIS f/ 537

meeknefs, temperance, patience, experience, hope,
faith and wifdom from above, which is pure and
peaceable, gentle and eafy to be intreated, to all,
and every thing that is good. And thofe who have
the holy Spirit, bring forth the fruits of it as natu*
rally, as the vine doth the grape, and the fig-tree the
fig. Alfo, Whatfoever things are holy, juft, honeft,
pure, and of good report, or tends to piety, or vir
tue ; in a word, every thing that is good, is the fruit
of thefpiritof God and Chrift : and they are brought
forth with divine life and power in that minifter and
people, who through true faith in the bleiTed Jcfus,
have received the gift of the Holy Ghoft, or Spirit
of Chrift.

The minifter of the gofpel being thus fitly furnifh-
ed to every good word and work, he is ready to an-
fwer the call of his great Lord and holy Matter,
which is in heaven; he wants not the call of man,
nor authority from man, nor wages of man. But
thofe who bring forth fruits contrary to the above,
can neither be true minifters, nor Chriitians, accord
ing to the doctrine of our holy Lord. Being thus
qualified by the Mod High, thofe minifters are free
ly given up to ferve the Lord, and go wherefoever
he is pleaied to fend them, though he fend them as
lambs among wolves : and it ;s worth noting, that
Chrift's mefTengers and minifters are called and fent
of him; they do not run of themfelves, nor in their
own will ; which if they did, their end would be
like the forward falfe prophets of old, who did not
profit the people at all.

Our great Lord feeing what need the world had
of true teaching, and of true teachers, fends his
minifters forth into 'it, faying, Mat. xxviii. 18, 19,
20. cc Ail power is given unto me in heaven and
<c earth : go ye therefore and teach all nations, bap-
<c tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
" Son, and of the Holy Ghoft ; teaching them to

<c obierve

53 8 Confiderations on the Call, Work and Wages

" obferve all things whatfoever I have commanded
" you : and lo, I am with you always, even unto
" the end of the world."

Many of his excellent fayings and commands may
be found in that wonderful fermon which he preach
ed on the Mount, Mat. 5th, 6th, and yth chapters.

Here Chrift {hews his minifters his power, and
fends them forth in his own name, for there is none
other given under heaven for falvation ; and Chrift
comforts his miniflers with a glorious promife, of
being with them to the end of the world. Oh the
wonderful fweetnefs of this gracious promife ! and
fuch are all his promifes, for they are yea, and
amen, for ever. Wherefore Chrift's minifters may
well go forth without doubting, having their autho
rity from the King of kings. Again he faith, " Go
<c ye into all the world, and preach the gofpel unto
<e every creature. He that believeth, and is bap-
*c tized, lhall be faved ; but he that believeth not,
" fhall be damned," Mark xvi. 15, 16. So Chrift
fays, Go -, but the world, the flefh, and the devil
fay, Stay ; for the fpirit of fin and Satan is for ob-
ftrudfting the work of Chrift, and hindering the free
gofpel miniftry, and the motions of the word and
teftimony of Jefus -, and is for quenching it in thofe
in whom it may appear : it is a new mode or fafhion,
contrary to the primitive order of Chrift, above men
tioned, for minifters to ftay, and be tied to an out
ward benefit, or a particular meeting or congrega
tion 5 which way of preaching, or reading, reading
being much in practice now a-days, is quite con
trary to the call, and practice of Chrift, and his
minifters, and of the martyrs, and confelTors of
Jefus : as alfo of many of the moft noted reformers
in religion. Oh but it is objected, if minifters
fhould always go about among the nations, what
would become of their families, or how muft they
live, and be maintained:? to which may be anfvver-

of the Minifters of CHRIS T. 539

ed, as the minifters of our Lord were, when he at
the firft tent them forth; who, when they returned
to their Mailer, he allied them, « If they lacked any
« thing}" they anfwcred, <c No." But mftead of
lacking any thing, the devils were fubjed to them.
Pray let the ferious Chriftian confider, here is now a
wonderful change. Is it in Chrift, or in the hireling
money-loving prieft ? it is certainly in the men, and
not in Chrift Jefus, for he is the fame to-day, yefter-
day, and for ever. Where the power of Chrift
rules, there the devil and his power muft of necef-
fity befubjecl:.

But fome objed, that people are not: fo free now
a-days-, were there not a law to maintain minifters,
the minifters might perifh or ftarve in this genera
tion; if fo, then their miniftry muft ftarve the
people's fouls. But this thought of ftarving is for
want of the gift of God and power of Chrift ; which
power in the miniftry would wonderfully open
people's hearts towards God, and thofe who are his
true fervants and minifters, who faid, " freely ye have
" received, freely give." Oh! faithlefs generation,
what, (hall we miftruft him who provides for all his
creatures, even to the ravens and fparrows, and will
he not much more provide for his fervants and mi
nifters ? How {hall we receive power from on high,
if we want faith, and cannot depend on the provi
dential hand of God?

Chrift fends his minifters into the world, in order
to propagate his gofpel of falvation, and to let the
world know that he is come to put an end to fin, and
bring life and peace to the foul, according to the
ano-els teftimony of him, that " his name fhould be
« called Jefus," which is a Saviour, " for he (hall
« fave his people from their fins," Mat. i. 21. The
apoftles of Chrift alfo, according to their holy com-
miffion, declared, that " God had lent his Son to
<< blefs.us, in turning us from the evil of our ways."

But

54-O Confidmtions on the Call, Work and Wages

But that do6lrine muft certainly be oppofite to this
of the angels, Chrift, and his difciples, which teach-
eth, that we muft live in fin while on this fide the
grave, and that there is no being free from it while
we are in this world; though Chrift himfelf came
for that very end and purpofe, to put an end to it,
and to fave us from it, and to bring unto, and into,
the world, everlafting righteoufnefs ; as alfo is that
doctrine which maintains, that there is no perfection
that we can attain to in this life ; though Chrift fays,
" Be ye perfect," for or cc as your Father which is
<c in heaven is perfect ;*' as he is perfect in fulnefs,
fo are we to be perfect, according to the meafure of
grace received. This faith and belief is much want
ing in this unbelieving generation, which is the rea-
fon that people remain in their fins, and the peoples
leaders caufe them to err, and their minifters minif-
ter in their fin, and minifter fin to the people. Oh !
that the great Lord of all, may grant the faith which
purifies the heart unto the children of men, and ef-
pecially to his minifters, that they might be inftru-
mental to the convincing and converting fouls to
Chrift, and his <c gofpel, which is the power of God
" to falvation, to all them that believe." And as
without believing and being baptized, we can nei
ther be faved, nor truly preach the gofpel -, how do
we believe in Chrift if we remain in our fins ? for
Chrift faith, cc If ye believe not that I am he, ye
" fhall die in your fins :" fo it is plain, that the
true faith and belief in Chrift taketh away our fins,
and that if we remain in our fins, it is evident that
we have not the true faith of Chrift. It is not
enough to have a notional or hiftorical faith or be
lief that Chrift is the Son of God, but we muft alfo
believe that cc this is he," that as the angel declared
to Jojeph) " fhould fave his people from their fins :9*
this was before he was born of the holy virgin ; and
thofe people mightily miftake the doctrine of Chrift

in

of the Miniilers of C H R r s T. 541

in the holy Scriptures, who think or believe they
fhall be faved in their fins ; and thole minifters muft
needs be antichriftian, who preach and write, that
there can be no living here in this world without
fin, which is alfo contrary to their own doctrine at
other times, and to their Iblemn covenant in the
water baptifin, or fprinkling, in which they promife
for their children, cc To forfake the devil and all his
fc works," (and without doubt all his works is fin,
no Chriftian can pretend to greater or higher per
fection, than to forfake the devil, and all his works)
** the pomp and vanicy of this wicked world, and
Cf all the finful lufts of the fkih, and to keep God's
<c holy will and commandments, and to walk in the
cc fame all the days pf our lives j" fo that according
to this folemn covenant, here is no day for fin ; yet
thofe covenanters at other times will fay, preach,
difpute, and write, that the beft faints cannot live
without fin, and that people fin in their beft duties;
if any think to mock the Almighty after that man
ner, they will be much miftaken in the day of the
righteous judgment of God : for *c Chrift came to
cc put an end to fin, and to rinifh tranfgreffion, and
." to ckftroy the works of the devil/' which all fin
mod certainly is. And it is plain, that John, the
beloved difciple of Chrift, believed this, from his
own words, cc I write unto you, young men, becaufe
« ye have overcome the wicked one. I have writ-
<c ten unto you, young men, becaufe ye are ftrong,
cc and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have
" overcome the wicked one," ift epiftle of John, ii.
13, 14. To which I fhall add, what he faith through
the Spirit to the feven churches in Afia.

To the church of Ephefus, Rev. ii. 7. cc He that
cc hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith un-
<c to the churches, To him that overcometh, will I
" give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midfl
<; of the paradife of God."

To

542 Confederations on the Call, Work and Wages

To the church of Smyrna) Rev. ii. ii. <c He that
cc hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith
<c unto the churches, He that overcometh, fhall not
cc be hurt of the fecond death.5'

To the church of Pergamits> Rev. ii. 17. « He
« that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
«f faith unto the churches, To him that overcometh,
« will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will
tc give him a white ftone, and in it a name written,
ec which no man knoweth, fave him that receiveth
" it."

To the church of Thyatira, Rev. ii. 26, 27, 28,
29. cc He that overcometh, and keepeth my works
" unto the end, to him will I give power over the
" nations, and he fhall rule them with a rod of iron,
<c as the vefTels of a potter fhall they be broken to
" fhivers, even as 1 received of my Father, and I
" will give him the Morning Star. He that hath an
<f ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit faith,
<c unto the churches."

To the church of Sardis, Rev. iii. 5, 6. " He
" that overcometh, the fame fhall be clothed in
" white raiment, and I will not blot out his name
*c out of the book of life ; but I will confefs his
cc name before rny Father, and before his angels.
«c He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
cc faith to the churches."

To the church of Philadelphia, Rev. iii. 12, ij.
<c He that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the
<f temple of my God, and he fhall go no more out ;
<c and I will write upon him the name of my God,
<c and the name of the city of my God, which is
" New Jerufalem, which comet h down out of hea-
cc ven from my God, and I will write upon him my
<c new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear
<c what the Spirit faith to the churches."

To the church of Laodicea, Rev. iii. 21, 22. cc To
c* him that overcometh, will I grant to fit with me

<c in

of the Minifters of CHRIST. 543

cc in my throne, even as I overcame, and am fet
<c down with my Father in his throne. He that
cc hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit faith to
cc the churches."

Surely that foul who cannot by all this fee that
there is an overcoming, muft certainly be blind as
to a fpiritual fight of the doctrine of Chrift ; and
what is it but to make Chrift and the holy Spirit a
deceiver, to promife all thofe great things to his
churches, if they cannot perform the conditions he
prefcribes ? and if it were true, as it is not, that it is
impoffible to overcome fin and Satan, then would
Chrift be a hard Mafter, which is abfurd and wicked
to fuggeft. But this overcoming muft not be in.
our o\vn wills, nor in our own time, nor with our
own weapons, but according to the apoftle Paul's
teftimony of the faints weapons, and their warfare,
and alfo of his own fight and victory, viz. 2 Cor. x.
4. <c The weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
" but mighty through God, to the pulling down of
" ftrong holds," Satan's holds of fin are ftrong
ones, if never to be overcome.

But with thefe weapons we may overcome: and
he bids the Chriftian put them on, and calls them
the whole armour of light, oppofite and contrary to
Satan's dark power, and he names them after this
manner: <c Stand therefore, having your loins girt
<c about with truth, and having on the hreaft-plate
<c of righteoufnefs, and your feet fhod with the pre-
cc paration of the gofpel of peace ; above all, tak-
" ing thefhield of faith, wherewith ye (hall be able
" to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and
<c take the helmet of falvation, and the fword of
" the Spirit, which is the word of God," Epb. vi,
13. 17.

cc I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
if courfe, I have kept the faith ; henceforth there is
" laid up for me a crown of righteoufnefs, which

« God,

'54 1 Confiderations on the Call, Work and Wao-es

" God, the righteous judge, fhall give to me at
« that day, and not to me only, but to all them who
cc love his appearing," 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

Thus the faints and primitive Chriftians were vic
torious in this Chriftian and fpiritual warfare, and
they encouraged others to follow them, as they did
Chrift. The very belief of this doctrine, that we
can never overcome fin and Satan, is contrary to the
faith of Chrift, and is a mighty engine of the wick
ed one to deftroy fouls ; for what encouragement
can any have to the work of reformation, or to be
lieve in, or prefs after the new-birth, if they do not
believe in the new-birth, or that they may or can be
reformed, or created again a-new in Chrift Jefus,
unto good works, and that they muft not walk after
the flefh, to fulfil the lufts thereof. Oh ! that mi-
nifters and people would confider that awful fentence
of holy Scripture, viz. " If ye live after the flefh ye
<c {hall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, mortify
cc the deeds of the body, ye (hall live," Rom. viii.
13. the want of a lively hope and faith in Chrift,
the great Lord of heaven and earth, is great, very
great indeed. Oh ! that true faith in him might
abound and increafe in the earth more and more;
then would he infpire the foul with inward ftrength
and grace to refift the devil, and overcome him, and
•actually to do the works of God, and to forfake the
devil, and all his works, and then, and not until
then, is (Thrift's righteoufnefs imputed unto us ; fo
that true Chriftians are truly righteous, not only by
imputation, but by action alfo. Oh that thofe who
make profeilion of holy Jefus, would deny them-
felves, and take up their daily crofs, and follow him
in the regeneration ! otherwife, how can they be his
difciples or rninifters ? and then would true Chrif-
tianity flourifh in the earth j then would Chrift be
exalted over all^who, with the Father and holy Spirit^
is God bleflVd for ever.

Now

of the Minifters of CHRIST.

545

Now to return a little to (Thrift's baptifm, viz.
ef He that believeth, and is baptized, fhall be
cc faved." Here our great baptizer, and chief mi-
nifter, is pofitive, that they fhall be faved who are
baptized with his baptifm; from which, withflrong
reafon, we may conclude, that the baptifm which is
abfolutely neceffary to falvation, is not water- bap
tifm, which was Johns, but fpiritual baptifm, which
is Chrift's ; and for this reafon alfo, that moft Chrif-
tians that have any fpiritual underftanding, do
plainly fee, that notwithstanding people being bap
tized, orfprinkled with elementary water, many live
wicked ungodly lives, and die in that Hate-, but quite
the contrary effect hath that baptifm which is of the
HolyGhoft, and fpiritual fire, which is Chrift's bap-
tifm ; for that where it is witnefied, and where peo
ple not only talk of it, but live according to its
holy operation on the foul, it faveth and cleanfeth
from fin and evil, it wafheth by regeneration, and
reneweth the foul by grace, with divine life and
power.

The call of a true minifter, is from and by Chrift,
he muft come to the fchool of Chrift, and take his
degrees there; in the nniverfal love of God he muft
learn and experience patience, humility, faith, hope,
and charity; fe Learn of me," faith he, " for I am
<c meek and lowly in heart;" and yet, notwithftand-
ing, he was the great heir of all things, and all pow
er in heaven and earth was given unto him, he hum
bled hirnfelf to the death of the crofs, for the fake
of mankind; and as the living Father lent his Son,
fo the Son fends his fervants contrary to the will of
man, as the apoftle Paul laid, " But I certify unto
<c you, brethren, that the gofpel which was preached
<c of me, is not after man; for I neither received ic
<f of man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation
« of Jcfus Chrift," Gal. i. n, 12, Hereby it is

plain
M m

546 Confederations on the Call, &c\

plain he thought there was no abfolute necefilty of
outward learning, nor outward call by man.

And as there is no abfolute neceffity of outward
learning to make a minifter of Chrift, fo there is no
need to force an outward maintenance; for Chrift
will take care of his fervants, and feed and clothe
them, when he fends them, as he did his difciples,
who went forth cc without ftaff or fcrip," yet ac
knowledged, after their return, " they lacked no*
cc thing.'* And as Chrift faid, <f Freely ye havere-
€t ceivecl, freely give ;" fo there is no outward com-
pulfion or force in thrift's doctrine or religion :
fome are indeed of another opinion, and have prac-
tifed the contrary, and bring thofe words of Chrift
to uphold them in the practice of forcing religion,
where he fays, in the parable of the marriage fupper,
<f Go, compel them to come in ;" which was no
other compulfion or force but that of love, which is
the greateft power in heaven or earth; to conftrue
our Saviour's words in any other fenfe, would be ab-
furd, and contrary to the whole tenor of his doctrine
and glorious miniftry.

Thus then the work of Chrift's minifters is to
bring the people to Chrift, as he is their Redeemer
and Saviour from fin, and as he is their comforter,
and good remembrancer, and their fpiritual guide
into all truth; in the performance of which work,
they will have their reward in this world, and in the
world to come everlafting life. Amen,

CONCERNING

( 547 )

CONCERNING

Perfonal Election & Reprobation

A CONCERN came upon me, in Chriftian
love to the honeft-hearted of the Prejbyterian
way, to fhew unto them how their teachers have
mifled them, and mifreprefented the words of God,
in their pretending to prove the doctrine they hold
of perfonal election and reprobation, and in their
wrefting the Scriptures in fupport of it.

Some of the texts of Scripture whereby they vain
ly endeavour to defend it, and whereupon they chief
ly found their tenet, are thefe, viz.

ift. Concerning Jacob and Efau, Rom. ix. 13.
Mai. i. 2, 3.

sdly, Concerning the Lord's hardening Pharaoh's
heart, Exod. ix. 16. Rom. ix. 17.

3dly, <c He that made them will not have mercy
" upon them, and he that formed them, will ihew
<c them no favour," Ifa. xxvii. n.

4thly, cc Hath not the potter power over the clay
" of the fame lump, to make one vefiel to honour,
cc and another to difhonour," Jer. xviii. 6. Rom.
ix. 21.

5thly, cc Therefore he hath mercy on whom he
" will have mercy, and whom he will he harden-
« eth," Rom. ix. 18.

ift. Relating to Jacob and Efauy the cafe was

thus : the Almighty fhewed Rebecca, the mother of

M m 2 them

548 Concerning Perfonal Ele&Ion & Reprobation;

them both, while the children were yet unborn,
that cc the elder fhould ferve the younger," Gen.
xxv. 23. Rom. xi. T2. Not that the elder fhould be
damned to eternity, and the younger only faved, as
it is hoped will appear plain and clear in the fequel,
and the contrary be plainly proved, both from Scrip
ture and right reafon. Firft then, thefe two, Jacob
and Efau, were the fons of godly Ifaac > to whom,
with faithful Abraham, was the promife of God, and
to their feed, Gen. xvii. 18. and both Jacob and Efati
were bleiTed in the name of God, and in his faith
alfo : "for," faith the author of the Hebrews, <c Ifaac
" bleffed Jacob and Efau by faith/' chap. xi. 20.
This he wrote when he was illustrating the invinci
ble and mighty power of faith, by the many won
derful works that had been done thereby 5 and
doubtlefs the faith there fpoken of, is the true faith ;
and whatever is- foretold in and through true faith,
will moil certainly be fulfilled, as this great and
lignificant bleffing of Ifaac to his fons was : the
good old man calls his eldeft fon to him, being dif-
pofed to blefs him, and bids him feek venifon, and
make him favoury meat, Gen. xxvii. 3, 4, fuch as he
knew his father loved, that my foul may blefs thee
before I die 5 and Rebecca their mother knowing,
from what God had fhewed her before they were
born, that the elder fhould ferve the younger, Gen.
xxv. 23. for whom fhe had alfo the greateit love;
fhe calls Jacob and opens the matter to him, and
bids him get favoury meat for his father, Gen. xxvii.
-14. 17, 1 8. which, through her importunity he did,
and after he had prepared it, he brought it to his
father before his brother came, and his father blef-
fed him in faith, verie 28 ; but he did it againft his
natural inclination ; for he would have had his fon
Efau to have had the blefling of preference, verfes
24, 25, becaufe he. was the eldeft fon, and by nature
it was his birth-right 5 but he, in his prophane Hate

and

Concerning Perfonal Ele&ion & Reprobation. 549

and condition, had defpifed and fold it for a thing
of little value to his brother Jacob ; fo that Jacob,
having by his brother's confent, bought it of him,
had a right to it on a double account, both by pro-
mife and purchafe, ift. By the promife of God be
fore he was born : and, fecondly, By the purchafe
of his brother. But pray let it be obferved, that
this was the bleffing of preference only, thatblefting
which Efau fought with tears, but could not find it;
neverthelefs he had a bleffing pronounced to him by
his father, through faith, chap, xxvii. 39. though he
does not feem to have had a right fenfe thereof, for
he was at times in a prophane fpirit, Heb. xii. 16, 17.
and in enmity and malice againfb his brother Jacob,
as appears by that murdering, perfecuting mind, that
then was unmodified in him $ "for," fays he, "the
<c days of mourning for my father are at hand, and
" then 1 will flay my brother Jacob" Gen. xxvii.
41. But then, as his wickednefs was great, his con-
verfion muft be by fo much the more glorious. It
would be well if all murdering perfecutors would,
in this his converfion, take him for an example ;
for inftead of killing his brother Jacob^ when he met
him on his return to his father's houfe, from whence
he had fled, he fell on his neck, and kifled him, and
wept, Gen. xxxiii. 4.

It is hoped that no Chriftian ear will be offended
to hear of the converfion and great change of this
prophane perfon, who, though he was not favoured
with the blefiing of preference, or the natural blef
fing of birth-right, which he fought with tears, and
could not find, Gen. xxvii. 38. yet the bleffing of
God's grace and favour, being the free gift of the
Almighty to him, with the fatnefs of the earth, he
had, and it was delivered to him by his father by
faith, as faith the apoftle, in the fore-cited epiitle to
the Hebrews, chap. xi. 20.

M m 3 Which

550 Concerning Perfonal Eleftion & Reprobation.

Which blefiing was by their father Ifaac, thus ex-
prefled to each of them. ift. to Jacob, " that the
" purpofe of God according to election might
" {land/' Rom. ix. u, 12. which choice, or elec
tion, before they were born, or had done good or
evil, was, " that the elder fhould ferve the young-
<c er," or the younger be preferred before the elder;
not that one Ihould be damned, and the other faved ;
there is no damnation to eternity that we read of
concerning Efau, but a choice blefiing of God, of a
quite different nature. Unto Jacob he faid thus j
" God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fat-
" nefs of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine, be
" lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's fons
<4 bow down to thee," &c. Gen. xxvii. 28, 29. And,
2dly, unto Efau he fays, exceedingly trembling,
verfe 33. cc Behold thy dwelling fhall be of thefat-
cc nefs of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from
<f above, and by thy fword (halt thou live, and fhalt
" ferve thy brother ; and it fhall come to pafs, when
<6 thou lhalt have the dominion, that thou fhalt
" break his yoke from off thy neck," verfes 39, 40.

Thefe bleffings have not only refpect to their own
proper perfons, but alfo to their pofterity ; but far
from pre-ordaining them, or any of them, to dam
nation -, and we have good ground to believe, from
(what is above, together with) the reformation
wrought in Efau himfelf, much better things of
him ; for it is written, <c When the wicked man
*c turneth away from his wickednefs which he hath
<c committed, and doth that which is lawful and
<c right, he fhall fave his foul alive," Ezek. xviii.
27. cc So when a righteous man turneth away from
cc his righteoufnefsj and committeth iniquity, and
" dieth in them, for his iniquity which he hath
" done (hall he die," verfe 26.

Having thus far taken notice of the purport of
the bleffings of Jacob and Efau> relating to their

perfons,

Concerning Perfonal Election & Reprobation. 55 r

perfons, who were both blefled with the dew of
heaven, and the fatnefs of the earth, I would add
this remark, Let none curfe him or them whom
God hath bleffed.

And whereas the apoflle, reciting the words of the
prophet Malachi, faith, " Jacob have I loved, but
Efau have I hated," Rom. ix. 13. This was not
faid of them before they were born, or had done
either good or evil ; but was juflly denounced by
the Almighty for the cruelty and hatred of the
children of Efeiu to the children of Ifrael, as is fully
and clearly exprefled by the prophets, David, Eze-
kiel, Amos, and Obadiah ; PJalm cxxxvii. 7. Ezekiel
xxv. 15. xxxv. i — 15. xxxvi. 5. Amos i. u, 12.
Obadiah 10, to 16, and was written many ages
after.

Secondly, The next text under confideration is,
cc that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh,*
Exod. vii. 13. But it fhould be obferved, he had
firil hardened himfelf againfl God and his people,
and then God hardened him yet harder, in order to
fhew his great power to mortals, which well con-
fifted with his juftice to the wicked and unmerciful ;
for as God is merciful to the righteous, fo he is juft
in his judgment to the ungodly.

So that God was clear of that evil heart of unbe
lief in him, and it is but juft, and alfo reafonable,
that when man, having been often vifited, refufeth
the offers of God's love, that he fhould vifit fuch in,-
and with his righteous judgment, who have flighted
his mercy and grace, and then, according to the holy
Scripture, " his dcftruction is of himfelf, but his
<e help is in the Lord/' HoJ. xiii. 9. So that God
is true, and every man, contradicting him3. is a liarx
Rom. iii. 4.

Wherefore may all have a care of hardening of

their hearts, as Pharaoh did, for that is provoking

to the Almighty, and then hejuftly gives them over

M m 4 to

552 Concerning Perfonal Election & Reprobation.

to an evil heart of unbelief, and to a reprobate mind
and fo they depart from the living God. The Lord
faid unto Pharaoh, « Let my people go/* over and
over, and it was the mind of God he fhould have
done it : without thofe men who hold the contrary
would make the Almighty fuch an one as them!
iclvesj to fay one thing, and mean another. What
is that but to charge the Almighty with hypocrify ?
a thing hated of him, and his dear Son, Chrift JefuY
No, no, Pharaoh might have obeyed the Lord in a
day of vifitation : but he refufed, and faid, « Who
c is the Lord, that I fhould obey his voice, and let
• Ifrael go ? I know not the Lord, neither will I let
: Ifrael go," Exod. v. 2. And he continued to
harden himfelf againft God, and his people, cruelly
perfecuting them, and forcing them to make brick
without flraw, before we read that the Lord harden
ed his heart. Oh ! that all hard hearted, perfecu
ting, unbelieving people might take warnino- by
him in lime, before it be too late.

It is clear, he might have let the people o-o • be-
Caufe God by Mofes commanded him fo to dp. And
who can deny, that what God did, was more proper
to foften, than to harden his heart, by letting him fee
the miracles wrought in his name, and the ceafing of
the plagues he had inflicled ; therefore it was poffible
for him to have done what God required of him ; he
was not predeftinated to that obduration, until he
had hardened his own hearts and then it was, is, and
always will be, juft with God to fufFer his, or any
other man's heart to become hardened, and o-ive
them up to a reprobate mind, Rom. i. 29.

Thirdly, The following Scripture is wrefled, and
falfly made ufe of, viz. If a. xxvii. n. « He that
c made them will not have mercy on them ; and he
« that formed them, will fhew them no favour."
This text hath, in fomeof the writings of thofe that
efpoufe the aforefaid dodrine, been brought to vin
dicate

Concerning Perfonal Election & Reprobation. 553

dicatethat defpairing, deftru&ive, evil principle, of
pre-ordination of particular perfons to deftruction
and damnation ; but this text, with the reft, brought
for that end, is grofly perverted : for in the fame
place the cafe is fairly ftated, and the reafon clearly
fhewn, why God will fhew them no favour, viz.
" Becaufe they were withered branches, and people of
<c no underftanding ; therefore he that made them,
<c would not have mercy upon them, and he that
<c formed them, would fhew them no favour." From
whence it appears, they might have been fruitful,
but would not, and had been green, but were wither
ed from their greennefs ; much like thofe who Chrift
expoftuiates with, when he fays, <c How often would
" I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chick-
cc ens under her wings, and ye would not," Mat. xxiii.
37. c< If thou hadit known in this thy day, the
<4< things which belong to thy peace, but now they
<c are hid from thine eyes/' Luke xix. 42. Which
fhews the great and fervent deiire of Chrift to fave
fouls, and his tender love to poor mortals, and that
they had a day of vifitation, in which they might
have been gathered ; which is far from ordaining
them to deftrudion from all eternity.

So that God is fully clear of all men, and their
blood is on their own heads, and their deftruclion
is of themfelves; whereas they might have help in
the Lord, and his Chrift, through faith, which he of
fers to man freely; but man will not receive or em
brace it. And further, it ihould be obfrrved, that
if the whole texts of the prophecy of Ifaiab in the
qyth chapter, be confidered, it will plainly appear,
that he is fo far from uttering an exprefs or pofitive
decree of their final deftruction, that he clearly and
fully foretells their recovery and reftoration out of
that ftate.

Fourthly, They argue from the words of the apof-
tle, " Hath not the potter power over the clay, to

" make

554 Concerning Perfonal Election &r Reprobation*

« make of the fame lump one vefiel to honour, and
<c another to difhonour ?" Rom. ix. 21. Yes, doubt-
lefs he hath -, but the potter doth not make veflels
with defign to deftroy them, or break them to
pieces, but for ufe and fervice; and it is contrary to
his will and interefl, when any veflel marrs under his
hand. And it is very plainly expreiled by the pro
phet Jeremiahy after mentioning his beholding the
work of the potter, in the i8th chapter, 6th, 7th,
and 8th verfes, " O houfe of IJrael> cannot I do with
cc you as this potter ? faith the Lord. Behold as the
tc clay is in the potter's hand, fo are ye in mine hand,
« O houfe of Ifrael. At what inftant I fhall fpeak
<c concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom,
€c to pluck up, and to pull down, and to deftroy it :
cc if that nation againft whom I have pronounced,
<c turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that
tf I thought to do unto them." All which is con
trary to the doctrine of an abfolute, unconditio
nal predeflination : the Lord, in his wifdom, and to
fhew his power, doth make fouls more or lefs honour
able, as he pleafeth ; but it is very plain, from
Scripture, and right reafon, that he makes none with
defign to deftroy them, or hath ordained any to
eternal damnation. Though he hath ordained dam
nation for wicked and ungodly men, yet he never
ordained that men fhould be wicked and ungodly.

Fifthly, They urge the apoftle's words, but to as
little purpofe as the former, Rom. ix. 18. cc He will
" have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and
« whom he will he hardeneth." It is true, that
God hath abundantly Ihewn us in the holy Scrip
tures, on whom he will have mercy, viz. He hath
mercy on the poor in fpirit ; the humble he teaches
of his ways; the meek he guides in judgment; he
clothes the meek with falvation ; he hath the righ
teous in everlafting remembrance ; he loveth them
them which love him j he faveth them who love his

dear

Concerning Perfonal Election & Reprobation.

dear Son, and believe in him; he giveth to them
eternal life, and Chrift loveth them, and manifefteth
himfelf unto them. And his beloved difciple John
declared, " If any man fin, we have an advocate with
<c the Father, Jefus Chrift, the righteous ; and he is
" the propitiation for our fins, and not for ours
<f only, but alfo for the fins of the whole world/*
I John ii. i, 2. And the author of the epiftle to the
Hebrews faith, <c But we fee Jefus, who was made a
" little lower than the angels, for the furTering of
" death, crowned with glory and honour, that he,
<c by the grace of God fhould tafte death for every
<c man," Heb. ii. 9. And all who believe in, and
obey him, will partake of the benefit of his death
and fufFering; " but the wicked is fnared in the
cc work of his own hands," Pfal. ix. 16.

Thus it was in my mind, and hath been, for fome
years, to fhew to the Prefbyteriany Independent) or
Baptift people, or any other, who hold the doctrine
of particular perfonal election or reprobation, the
weakneis of fome of, what they call, their proofs
for this, as I take it, corrupt and dangerous doc
trine of theirs, and the mifapplication of thofe texts
of Scripture, which they advance to maintain their
abfurd notion, of fouls being fore-ordained to dam
nation eternally, whether they do good or evil, and
that it is fo determined, before we were born into
the woild. Oh! that thofe people might come to
true repentance, and lay hold of the univerfal love
of God to eternal life, through the living faith of
Jefus Chrift our Lord, in the tender bowels of whofe
love to all are thofe lines written, and in great love
and good-will they are invited to fearch the Scrip
tures, and to fee whether the whole fcope of them do
not ihew the contrary to whac they hold in relation
to perfonal reprobation to deftruction, fore-ordained
before we are born, or have done either good or
evil ; there not being one text to be found to prove

that

556 Concerning Perfonal Election & Reprobation,

that doctrine: but there are abundance which fet
forth the love, mercy, and goodnefs of God, to man
kind; only two of which I fhall add hereunto, viz.
" And God faw that the wickednefs of man was
« great in the earth, and that every imagination of
« the thoughts of his heart was only evil continual -
" ly. And it repented the Lord that he had made
cc man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart,"
Gen. vi. 5, 6. cc And Jonah arofe, and went unto
" Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord, and
cc entered, and faid, yet forty days, and Nineveb
" lhall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveb
tc believed God, and proclaimed a faft, and put on
<6 fackcloth, from the greateft of them, even to
<c the lead of them. And God faw their works,
sc that they returned from their evil way, and God
<c repented of the evil that he had faid he would do
cc unto them, and he did it not," Jonah iii. 3, 4, 5.
10. I heartily defire thefe two texts may be truly
confidered, and weighed ; therein the mercy, loving-
kindnefs, and long forbearance of God, being fo
clearly and fully manifefted, that I think may be
fufficieht to convince every unprejudiced mind of
the error of believing in that principle, of the abfo-
lute predomination of the Almighty, of any part of
mankind to deftruction.

f. CHALKLET.

A LETTER

LETTER

T O
COTTON MATHER, in New-England.

HAVING received a courteous Letter from
Cotton Mather, one of the greateft preachers
among the people of New-England^ he being in
community with the national church there, and hav
ing preached a fermon concerning the power and
excellency of Chrift within, recommending people
thereunto, and commending our fociety therein ;
but differing from us in ibme particulars, which
particulars I was concerned to anfwer as followeth,
viz.

Frankfort^ the 2oth of the 3d Month,

Courteous Friend, C. M.

THINE, dated November 3Oth, 1725, I re
ceived a few days ago, I having been vifiting
the people along the fea-fhore in the Jerfeys, in the
love of Chrift, hoping to bring ibme to him, among
whom, in a general way, the gofpel which I had to
preach in his name, found acceptance, for which I
was truly thankful ; and though I had no earthly
confederation for fo doing, yet I had that inward
fatisfadion, that I thought I would not exchange or
part with it for the bifhop of Rome or Canterbury's
revenue : and at my return I received thy friendly
letter, which I was glad of, and that mine to thee
found that acceptance, fo as to anfwer my requett.

And

558 A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER;

And whereas thou fayeft thy aim and hope hath
been to perfuade us who call ourfelves Friends, we
profeffing ourfelves friends to all people, that our
iuperior ftrefs fhould be upon the grand point of
Chrift within ; we having found, by experience,
living and blefled experience, the great benefit and
comfort of his mod fweet and glorious prefence, by
the manifeftation of his power, fpirit and grace, in
and to our fouls, we cannot do otherwife than lay
the greateft ftrefs thereon ; our benefit therein, and
thereby, being not eafily exprefled, fo as to be un-
derftood by the carnal mind, or to thofe who are in
a ftate of degeneration ; Chrift within was, is, and
ever will be, the hope of the fanctified foul's glory,
though a myftery hid from ages of unregenerate
people, or from thofe who are in the reprobation ;
<c Know ye not your ownfelves, that Chrift is in you,
" except ye be reprobates," faith the apoftle Pauly
2 Cor. xiii. 5. Col. i. 2.

From the above I would not be underftood as
though I believed that Chrift is no where but in his
people; neither did I ever underftand any of our
Friends fo, though we have been often mifrepre-
fented on that head.

And as to the ceremony of the hat, and the plural
language to fingle perfons, I thus anfwer 5 that many
of us left that way of falutation and fpeaking, through
flrong conviction, accompanied with thefe reafons ;

ift. It being a refpecl we pay Almighty God,
<c He being our head, is honoured by uncovering
" our head,0 as faid the apoftle Paul, i Cor. xi. 4.
We think for that reafon it is not right to uncover
our heads to men ; but that to give one another our
hands, in an inward and hearty refpecl, is better.

adly, We read in the holy Scriptures, that Mor-
decai could not bow to Haman for confcience-fake,
Eftber iii. 4. and I think it may iafely be concluded,
that he did not take off his hat, or uncover his head,

though

A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER.

though he was in danger to have fuffered for it.
And,

gdly, The three children of God walked in the
prefence of the great king of Babylon, and thofe pre-
fent with him, with their hats on ; and they flood
the king's fury, and the fire, though feven times
hotter than ufual, with their hats on, as there related
in Dan. iii. 21.

I befeech thee, my good friend, to confider the
tenor of the holy Scriptures maturely, and then I
hope thou wilt not think the hat, and the language
of thee and tbou to a fingle perfon, to be needlefs
ceremonies and incumbrances, according to our
principle and practice ; I do not write thus to thee
for contention, nor in a contentious fpirit of mind,
but in the innocent love of our dear Lord Jefus, and
for edification, or if need be, for information.

Alfo, as to thee and tbou to a fingle perfon, I
anfwer, that the holy Scripture, or the words of
God therein recorded, is by all Proteitant profefTors
of Chrift, acknowledged a rule to us all, next to the
Holy Spirit, from whence they came, or the Holy
Ghoft, that our Saviour promifed, fhould lead into
all truth, and abide with the true believers for ever;
and that God and Chrift's Spirit, doth not contra-
did the holy Scriptures, which came and proceeded
from thence : this general propofition we all agree
to, if we rightly underftand one another.

Then, according to this rule, our plain language
is right, otherwife I (hall be obliged to thee to fhew
us wherein we err from that good rule. Now, the
Moft High thought good to teach and ufe that lan
guage in the beginning 10 our firft parents ; fo that
it is our mother-tongue, and it is the language of the
bible, or holy Scriptures, from Genefis to the Revela
tions. I fuppofe I need not tell thee thatjy0# to a
fingle perfon had its rife from pride and flattery •, and /

thyfelrf

:$6o A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER.

thyfelf knoweth, that you to a (ingle perfon, is nei*
ther good Englijby nor good grammar.

And if I am rightly informed, your forefathers, as
well as ours, made ufe of this plain Scripture lan
guage of thee and thou to a fingle perfon, in their
firft feparation from the common finners of their
times.

Though I thus apologize for the plain Scripture
language, yet in reipec~b of faith or grace, and prin
ciples to be believed, which are abfolutely neceffary
to falvation, I call thefe but fmall things ; but we
are not to defpife the day of fmall things, if we are
faithful in the little, or lefs, we have the promife of
more or greater things, Luke xix. 17.

I pray thee excnfe this long letter or epiftle ; for
it feems to me but meet, £kat we fhould render a
reafon for our difufe of thofe things ufed by fome
(of moft focieties) profeffing the Chriftian faith.

And in refpect of water-baptifm, and the bread
and wine: id. As to water-baptifm, I have this to
anfwer, the which I hope thou wilt charitably con-
ilrue.

The firft account that we have of it, is from John
the baptift, who firft praclifed it, according to the
account the evangelifts give concerning it,°and he
faid, " I indeed baptize with water, but he," Chrift,
*c lhall baptize you with the Holy Ghoft, and with
" fire;" plainly diftinguilhing between the two
baptifms, and the two natures of them ; adding, Cf I
«c lhall decrea-fe, but he lhall increafe :" he fpoke
not of their perfons, but of their difpenfations;

William Del!, a bright and learned man in his day
(and, as I take it, when he flourished moft in divine
religion) wrote an excellent piece on the fubjecl of
baptifm, which be pleafed to perufe ; it is very evan
gelical, and well worth reading ; I lhall take care to
procure thee one of his books j I am the more con
cerned about this fubjecl:, becaufe thou art pofitive

about

A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER* 561

about our coming to it, if we improve in wifdom :
but I would hope to be in fome meafure inftrumen-
tal to convince thee that there is no abfolute need,
in order to falvation, to go into, or unto, the water
or element ; but that it is abfolutely neceffary for us
to go unto, and into Chnft, that being the way to be
new creatures, as it is written, <c He that is in Chrift,
*c is a new creature," 2 Cor. v. 17.

Our dear Lord on this fubjed fays, " John truly
cc baptized with water, but ye fhall be baptized
*c with the Holy Ghofl :" here our Saviour, as well
as Jobn, diftinguifhed between the two difpenfations :
John's was indeed a glorious difpenfation in its
time ; but Chrift's far exceedeth it in glory, and is
to endure for ever.

The apoftle Peter remembered this doctrine of
Chrift, when the holy Spirit's baptifm was come,
cf Then," fays he, " I remembered the word of the
<c Lord, John baptized with water, but ye fnall be
fc baptized with the Holy Ghoft," Atts xi. 16. The
apoftle Paul) the great apoftle of the Gentiles, fays,
cc He was not fent to baptize, but to preach the
cc gofpel ;" which, when truly preached, hath a
a fpiritual baptizing power attending it; and if we
come rightly to be baptized with the holy Spirit,
and fire of the divine word, we fhall witnefs a reno
vation, and the work of reformation and regenera
tion will go forward more and more, both without
and within, in the body and in Spirit, for which every
true Chnftian and minifter of Chnft longs and prays
with fervent defires ; the apoftle fays, and pray be
pleafed to judge for what reafon, " That the king-
" dom of heaven is not meat or drink, but righte-
<f oufnefs, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghoft."
Oh ! may the Molt High infpire thy foul when thou
reads thefe lines, is my tender defire.

I know I am writing to one who in many things
is far before me ; fo that I write in a fear, mixed with

N n Chriftian

562 A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER.

Chriftian love •, and if it meet with the fame love in
thee, that will cover a multitude of faults.

And as to the fupper or ceremony of bread and
wine, (which is called a facrament, which word we
find not in the Bible) we do not underftand that our
Lord laid it as an injunction on his followers to ob-
ferve his practice to perpetuity ; or that the obfer-
vation thereof is ablblutely necefTary to falvation,
and that his church fhould be in the practice of the
elements of either water to dip in, or fprinkle with,
or bread and wine to eat or drink, as a lafting ordi
nance, to be obferved by his believers in an outward
way for ever.

Chrift faid, cc This do ye, as oft as ye drink it,
" in remembrance of me;" which to me feems to
leave it indifferently : alfo from the debates and
contentions of Chriftians about it, and the blood
that hath been fpilt and ihed in his controverfy, and
the many doubts arifing concerning it, I think it is
evident, that Chrift was not pofitive that his follow
ers fhould be found to perpetuity therein ; and
where he fays, Cf Take, eat, this is my body which
<c is broken for you," or for many ; " and drink,
<f this is my blood which is ihed for many ;" I be
lieve it is not to be doubted but that he pointed at
his flefhand blood, rather than the bread and wine,
as in a figure, and that alfo he had an eye to his fpi-
ritual flefh and blood or body, as where he fays,
cc Except ye eat my flelh and drink my blood, ye
cc have no life in you ;" the which every true Chrif
tian fhould daily feed upon, and without which we
have no divine life in us ; and as himfelf alfo faid,
c< My flefh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink
" indeed."

And it is worthy of note, that much of his holy
•words, and heavenly doctrine, was ipiritually to be
underftood; cc My words," fays he, cc arefpint and
*' life V a glorious fpeech to fuch as truly witnefs

and

A LETTER TO COTTON MATHER. 563

and underftand it, which is much better felt by a
true believing Chriflian, than exprefTed : oh may we
fo open our hearts to our beloved Jefus, that he may-
come in unto us, and that we may fup with him, and.
he with us, and that he may not only fup with us,
but take up his abode with us, and we with him, for
ever ! and not only in us twain, but in all thofe who
truly love, believe in, and follow him throughout
the world ; fo wifheth, and prayeth, in fmcerity, thy
real friend,

f. CHALKLET.

P. S. I hope thou wilt excufe this long letter, thy
Vital Chriftianity being inflrumental towards this our
correfponding together by way of epitlle, which if ic
prove any way to thy fatisfadtion, I Ihall rejoice. In
reading feveral of thy latter tracts, I have had love
in my heart towards thee, which was yet more re
newed in perufing thy Vital Cbriftianity, and thy
friendly letter to me.

:.

N a 2

YOUTH.,

( 564 )

o u

H

PERSUADED TO

OBEDIENCE, GRATITUDE and HONOUR
to GOD and their PARENTS.

ALSO

Some TOUCHES upon the LIFE of MAN, from
the CRADLE to the GRAVE.

Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy Days may
be prolonged in the Land 'which the Lord thy God
giveth theey Deut. v. 16. &c.

Man that is born of a Woman, is of few Days, and full
^ Job. xiv. i.

To the R E A D E R.

READER,

THIS little piece is the fruits of a few leifure
hours which the author had at fea, he being
under a folid concern for the prefent riling genera
tion, that they may flourifh and grow in piety and
virtue; and that the days of their tranquility may
increafe, and be lengthened out in this world.

And

PREFACE, 56s

And alfo, chiefly, that when they go off the ftage
of life, they may have the enjoyment of the peace
of God, and of his dear Son, our Lord Jefus Chrift,
through the Holy Ghoft, with a full afiurance of an
eternal inheritance and habitation in the glorious
kingdom of heaven.

The author hopes that religious and well-inclined
parents will join with him in this fo neceflary and
noble a work, of feeking the youths welfare ; and
defires, as they may approve this labour of love,
that they would be inftrumental to difperfe or be-
ftow this among, or to, their children and neigh^
bours, the charge being inconfiderable.

And if any are benefited hereby, it will abundant
ly fatisfy for the labour taken herein. And may the
Lord of all blefs thee and thine, in all good things,
who is worthy to be loved, ferved and obeyed, by
a}l mortals, to whom praife only is due for ever.

Nn 3

YOUTH

( 566 )

o

u

H

PERSUADED TO

OBEDIENCE, GRATITUDE and HONOUR
to GOD and their PARENTS.

ON E of the firft things pious and good Chrif-
tians generally endeavour to inftil into their
children, in their youth, is the true knowledge of
God j and that hs made them, and for what end.

The Almighty made us all on purpofe for his
glory, and that we fhould ferve and worfhip him, as
laid the four and twenty elders who ftand before the
throne of God, and worfhip him continually, faying,
<c Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which
<f was, and is, and is to come. Thou art worthy,
<c O Lord ! to receive glory, and honour, and pow-
<c er : for thou haft created all things, and for thy
Cf pleafure they are, and were created," Rev. iv. 8.
n.

Man being a noble, if not nobleft, piece of this
vifible creation, was doubtlefs made and created for
a purpofe of his glory.

But fin is of the devil, and did, and, if not repent
ed of, always will difhonour God, and bring ruin
upon body and foul.

Therefore, O youth ! be prevailed upon before it
be too late, rightly to " remember thy Creator in
cf thy youthful days, before the evil day come."
And certainly it will be an evil day to thy foul, when
God by his Spirit leaves driving with thee, and
leaves thee totHyfelf: for he hath faida " His Spirit

« fhall

YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE, &C.

cc fhall not always ftrive with man, for that he alfo
" is flefh," Gen. vi. 3.

While therefore God by his Spirit is ftnvingwuh,
thee, and calling thee by his grace to repentance,
and to turn from the evil of thy ways, faying, cc Turn
" ye, turn ye, why will ye die ? turn at my reproof,
<c and I will pour out of my Spirit upon you, and
" make myfelf known unto you." Again, " 1 ftand
<c at the door and knock," here is a holy ftroke at
the heart, ct if any man will hear my voice/* fee the
univerfal and unlimited love of God in Chrift to
poor mortals, cc and open the door, I will come in
<c to him," Rev. iii. 20.

If man will open the door of his heart to his
Maker and Saviour, he will come unto, or into his
foul. O foul ! no gueft in the world like this hea
venly gueft; no companion, no friend in the world
like this great, this choice friend, Almighty God.
Oh ! " feek him while he is yet to be found, and
<f call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked
cc forfake his way, and the unrighteous man his
<c thoughts," that are' evil, cc and return to the
cc Lord, and he will have mercy upon him," and*
as fay the righteous, who feek the glory of God, and
the good of fouls> cc and to our God, for he will
'c abundantly pardon." If a. Iv. 7.

Therefore, turn, turn, O turn ! why will ye die,
ye curious workmanfhip of God's holy hands, ye fine
and beautiful young men and women ?

The youth fhouid alfo gratefully and obediently
remember their careful fathers, and indulgent and
tender mothers : unto fuch youths God has promif-
ed a reward, the which promife 1 have feen fulfilled
in many thoufands ; and God is more and more
fulfilling of it every day; and will fulfil it to the
end of time.

And how reafonable is it that we Ihould remem
ber with tenderneis our father who begat us, and not
N n 4 to

56$ YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

to difobey him in his lawful and juft commands, nor
wittingly or willingly vex or grieve him ?

Pray how fhall we be ever able to pay or retaliate
him for all his care, and the coft and charge he hath
been at in bringing of us up, till we come to be
young men and women ? Can we ever do enough for
him that hath done fo much for us ?

Oh ! how unhandfome it is, as well as irreligious
and unchriftian, for a young man or woman, when
their parents are old, and perhaps full of aches and
pains, or otherwife in years and in bad health, to
treat them with fcorn and contempt, or be furly and
churlifh, and flout at and difobey their wholefome
counfel and advice.

On fuch young people I have feen the heavy hand
of God in my day, and made obfervations thereof,
many 'and many a time. Oh ! the many difobedient
youth that I have feen, that have been examples and
warnings to others, of the jufb judgment of God Al
mighty, upon difobedient and prophane young peo
ple -, and indeed too many old ones too.

But the youth are too apt to think and fay, our
bones are full of marrow, and our veins of blood,
and our blood is warm ; we cannot be fo dull and
heavy as old men.

Well, who hath filled, and by whofe providence
are your bones and veins full of marrow and blood ?
Is it not God ? Is it not in him you live, move, and
have your being ? What hath the devil and fin to do
With all this ? Should not God have the marrow of
your days? And fhould not youth ferve him with
their purcft or fineft blood ? And fhould they not be
warm, and not lukewarm or cold, in and towards the
things of God and heaven ?

Thus to be vigorous and manly in the work of
God, is truly and rightly to honour OUT parents, a§
God command?,

*

TQ GOD AND THEIR PARENTS, 569

It is not to honour them with the mouth and lips-
only but with the heart, and with fervmg God s for
that is the honour fpoken of in the holy Scripture.

None can rightly honour their parents, who difho-
nour God. If a young man or woman is religious,
and of a difcreet conduct, and of a fober and jult
convention: that indeed is a real honour to, and
honouring of our parents. For, fay people, when
they behold juft and religious youths, when thei]
father is living, oh ! how happy is that man m his
children ! and indeed it is an honourable happmefs :
when, on the other hand (pity! oh! pity! pity!)
how many fine youths, to look at (at a diftance,
to outward appearance) have, through their dilo-
bedience, and vile praftice, brought down the grey
hairs of their careful and tender parents, with lor-
row to the grave.

And, as if their own ruin and their parents, was
not enough, bring, through their intemperance and
folly, ruin and deflruftion on their poitenty alioj
and what their parents have with great labour gained
to brin'o- them up, and educate them until they come
to maturity, they in a little time fpend extravagantly
and intemperateiy, as well as foohfhly and mconfide-
rately 5 and fo bring ruin and deftruftion fwiftly on
themfelves and pofterity.

And another fubject but feldom fpoken of, or han
dled, is the extraordinary regard we fhould have to
oblige our mothers, and the tender care we fhould
take to nourifh and comfort them in age; and not
vex or grieve them, if pofiible we could help it, for
many reafons, befides our religious duty as above,
in relation of honour to parents. And let me re
mind the youths of this age, of either fex, that in the
time of the law (the law of God under the Mojai-
cal difpenfation) the difobedient youths were to be
brought out of the camp or city, and all the people
^yere co ftone them to death.

570 YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

It is true, our gofpel-difpenfation, or the difpen-
fation of our fweet Jefus, is not fo rigorous -, but
much more mild and gentle, as to the body -, yet, as
to the foul, without repentance, the difobedient to
natural parents in general (befides to our Father in
heaven in particular) entail upon them an eternal
curfe in the world to come, and many crofles and
difficulties in this world. And herein the gofpel
exceeds the law, it gives time for repentance, mixes
mercy with judgment, and fandtifies our troubles,
crofles and afflictions to us, through repentance and
amendment of life* whereas the law in old time was
executed without mercy or pity, and with fierce
wrath, vigour and anger.

But to return to the tender mother. Oh ! the ten
der foul of the tender mother, how it yearns over the
difobedient fon or daughter ! and who that hath not
a heart of flint or adamant, but would comply or
yield to the wholefome advice and counfelof fo ten
der a parent who brought us into the world ? af
fection to fuch a near parent, one would think fhould
conftrain us to it.

However, if religion or affection is not fo predo
minant, letreafon do it. Firft, It is a rational con-
fideration that thy mother fuffered many pains, and
much ficknefs, which thou wert the occafion of, even
before thou wert brought forth into the world, be*
fides the dolorous, bitter pangs and pains of child
birth, which have coft the life of many a tender
mother.

And confider the firft month after thou wert born,
oh the care and tender concern, the watching, la
bour and charge, cannot eaiily be exprefled ! what
running to the phyfician upon every fympton or
fufpicion of being ill, or out of order! and muft all
this be forgotten ? O height of ingratitude ! which
too many poor young people are guilty of.

Though

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENT'S. 57!

Though bleffed be the Almighty Lord, there are
fome who are truly and humbly thankful to God and
their parents for their being, and their well-being,
believing they can never fully requite him or their
parents.

Now after our firft month, what a deal of fa
tigue and trouble we give our mothers, who flill, if
they give us fuck (as many mothers do ; even queens
and princeffes, and many noble women, not difdain-
ing to give their children fuck from their own
breads, which certainly is the mod natural way of
bringing up and nouriihing them ; though, on fome
confiderations, a nurfe may be difpenfed with) how
do we partake of their own blood, to the waiting of
their fpirits, and oftentimes their flelh alfo ?

Surely nothing but love and duty could engage a
mother to the great care and fatigue which fhe is
obliged to in nurfing and fuckling her children, ef-
pecially if before -hand in the world : who can ex-
prefs the toil and care to keep the poor unthinking
little ones quiet, and the many weary Iteps and con
trivances to keep them from crying ? although, by
the way, when they grow up, their mothers may cry
night and day too, and they take but too little no
tice of it, i. e. the rebellious ungrateful, and difobe-
dient youth.

O youth ! muft all this be forgotten ? muft all
this have no confideration with you, and bear no due
weight upon your minds ? oh ! furely no : God
forbid 1

The firft year being gone (which is oftentimes
but the beginning of forrow to the parents) then they
cannot eafiiy be trutted alone, or out of fight, except
in fome good hand ; and if it is never fo little mif
fing, then cries the mother, Oh ! where is the child ?
What have you done with my child ? Who has got
it? and never refts until fhe is fatisfied about it;
and when it is brought to her, O how ihe embraces

and

YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

and kiffes it, as if fhe would wrap its foul up in her
pwn ! and then the heart, the bofom, and the breafly
are all open to it. What endearing exprefiions are
poured out to it from its tender mother ! as, My dear,
my love, my jewel, &c. and fometimes from fome
fort of perfons fuch fond exprefiions as are not juf-
tifiable.

But, O melancholy confideration ! all this love
and tendernefs is too often rewarded with hard-^
heartednefs and cruelty ; the mother may cry, and
die too, if ihc will, for her dear love, and precious
jewel, when grown up to man or woman's eftate !
From fuch ingratitude may the Lord deliver us.

This confideration is remarkable, as we are alfo
the workmanfhip of God, and human creatures,
that of all the creatures God hath made, there is
fcarcely any fp helplefs fo long as man ; fo that mart
is fo much the more obliged to his parents, and par
ticularly his mother, who feeds us when we cannot
feed ourfelves, and carries us long before we can go
alone, and defends us from harm, or we mufl perifh.
After all this, to be unkind and difobedient to our
parents, is great ingratitude ; and I fcarce ever faw
it go unpunifhed, even in this world : and pray let
the youth confider how it is like to fare with them
in the next -, for I addrefs myfelf to thofe who be
lieve the facred writings of the holy Scriptures ^ for
to others, fome things herein may feem fabulous, as
judgment to come doth to the^/to//, though divers
of them feel it begin to come before they go out of
the world, as hath been the cafe of many which
might be mentioned.

From the bread, and the arms, to the feventh.
year of our age, who can relate the world of trouble
our parents have with us, to keep us out of harm's
way, to keep us from bad company, to keep us in
health as much as lays in their power •, to clothe us
and keep us. whole and clean, and take care that we

learn

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS* 573

learn no ill words or manners ; for about this time,
little youths are very apt to learn good or evil ; and
the careful, virtuous parents, would do well to en
deavour to cultivate their tender minds, and to plant
things good and profitable in them betimes. It often
turns to good account, though not always, and when
it doth not, the parents, having done their duty,
are clear of their blood, and of what mifchief may
befal them through their ungodlinefs, and folly, and
intemperance, afterwards.

From the feventh to the fourteenth year, then the
care of wife and thoughtful parents is to give them
fuitable learning, and to feek for the bed matter that
can be got for them, which indeed is a great point of
prudence ; for corrupt and intemperate teachers are
often hurtful to youth, and men of bad principles
may be inftruments of inftilling the like principles
into the children. A good underftanding, good
manners, and good principles, a religious, wife and
difcerning parent, would efteem before letters and
figures; although to be well inftructed in thefe alfo,
is confiderable, but the other preferable. And here
let teachers and the youths be careful of idlenefs, for
that is the mother of many mifchiefs, and bad words,
bad actions, and bad company, ought to be avoid
ed, which taint and corrupt the minds of the little
tender youth.

It is melancholy to think of it, that fome youths,
who never heard bad words in their father's houfe,
fuch as taking the facred name in vain, curfing,
fwearing, talking rudely, &c. fhould come from
fchool full with it, fo that the good intention of the
parents in giving their youth fchooling, is then cir
cumvented in a great degree ! to regulate which, the
parents and tutors fhould join together in a whole-
fome difcipline. Some indulgent parents mightily
hurt their youth by tying up the hands of their
teachers from -difcrcet corre6tion**No^difc-rect teacher

will

574 YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

will ufe broom or mop-flick, or door and window-
bars, to correct their youths ; that would be unman
ly, as well as unwife -, but the rod never did hurt, in
a fkilful hand. And both at home and at fchool, it
is profitable for the youth to be diligent in reading
the holy Scriptures, which are preferable to all other
books, though other good books are profitable alfo,
and beneficial to improve the underilanding ; where
as filthy and irreligious corrupt romances, and pro-
phane play-books, often poifon, and are the bane or
ruin of youth; and when once they come to be in
love with thofe black dark works, facred truths are
of little value with them, which is an evident token
or fign of the evil tendency of evil books : though
there may be fome fort of philofophy in fome of
them, yet, if it is vain, and lies, and deceit, we had
need to be careful our youth are not fpoiled there
with ; and indeed thofe of riper years are often hurt
thereby, elfe why did the learned apoflle Paul write
to the primitive Cbriftians9 to cc beware left any of
ct them fhould be fpoiled through" (wrong) " phi-
c< lofophy, and vain deceit," Col. ii. 8. Jf all this
care and pains, befides charge, fhould be forgotten,
it betokens great ftupidity.

From fourteen to twenty-one, more care comes
on a frefh upon the heart and mind of the faithful
and loving father, and affectionate and tender mo
ther, that their offspring may do well, both as to
this world, and allb to that which is to come. It is
indeed commendable, and alfo a duty in the parents,
to take care in putting their children in a way, as
much as lies in their power, to live in the world ;
but above all things, to endeavour to promote their
eternal happinefs and intereft in the life to come.
This is fo much the more honourable, by how much
the one is external, and the other eternal. O eter
nity ! eternity ! that we did but think more upon it,
though we though* lefs of the externals j although

fome

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS. 575

fome think too little upon the fubftantial part of
them too, and forget to be juft in the things of meum
and tuum, or between man and man.

But to return to the youth ; and as to trade, the
law of nations forbids them to tr^de, or trade with
them, till they arrive at the years%of twenty-one, as
fuppofing their understanding not fully ripe for bufi-
nefs till that age ; and therefore many, and fome of
the wife ft heads on the earth, and men of vaft eftates,
have thought it rational and proper for youth to be
put apprentice for feven years : this is looked upon
as expedient, although they have many thoufands to
give them when they come to age : and indeed
many youths have been ruined and undone for want
of inch fcrvice ; and fome of the brighteft and fineft
of our young men have fpent more before they arri
ved to that age, than their parents had to begin the
world withal ; nay, fome, many times more, for
want of employ in fome commendable calling; for
having fo much idle time on their hands, they have
taken to idle company, and become idle companions
themfelves alfo ; and fo the youth have corrupted
one another, to their great hurt and damage, as to
their outward fubftance -, and which is yet worfe, as
to their foul's welfare ; and fuch evil communication
corrupts good manners; and if they were employed
in bufmefs, they in this refpect would be out of
harm's way, out of the way of thofe rooks that would
make a prey of them.

In order to the well-doing and being of the youth
in the time of his feven years fervitude, we ought
to be very careful to chufe fuch matters as are of
good report : firft, as to their religion, ingenuity, in-
duftry, juftice and temperance, and one who hath
acquired to a way of living well : fuch a mafter is
worthy, and ought to be obeyed. It often happens,
that before this time is over, the youth are uneafy,
and are wont to go home to their parents, with com
plaints i

YOUTH PERSUADED TO OfiED-IENCfi

plaints; but without a real occafion or neceffity* lc
is far better, and much more honourable for young
men to flay out their appointed time : and then when
they come to have their lawful liberty, it will be
more fweet to them : and people will be the more
free and engaged to deal and trade with them, and
the parents will have the greater encouragement to
fet them up in their calling; A common maxim,
which is generally fulfilled, is worthy of note here,
i. e. Thofe that are good for their mailers, are good
for themfelves, and it moilly happens fo.

And as to matters, fince they are generally gainers
by the fervice and work of their fervants, they^ought
to ufe them well, as to their accommodations, and
not to exa6l their labour to oppreffion, remembering
we have all a Mailer, which is in heaven, and that
every one of us (let our condition be what it will in
this world) mud be accountable for the deeds done
here on earth, to him in his kingdom.

It muftnot here be forgotten, that fervants ought
not to ierve their matters with eye -fervice ; but juttly
do their duty as though they were actually prefent,
or really in view. And as their indentures bind a-
gainft cards and dice, and all unlawful games, and
gaming being very deftrucHve to youth, as well as
to their mailers intereft, it is in an eipecial manner
to be avoided ; for gaming leads into many other
evils, and, at the beft, tends to draw the heart and
mind from heavenly to earthly things. Alfo the
fervant is not to fee his mailer any ways defrauded,
it being all one in the foundation, whether the fer-
vant doth it himfelf, or fees, with approbation, ano
ther do it •, and that which would make the time the
pleafanter, and feem not fo long and tedious, is to
be chearful and good natured, and to be fure to fre
quent the publick worfhip of Almighty God ; and
mailers would do well to let their fervants go fome-
times to more private duty j and if the fervant be

conscientious,

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS. 577

confcientious, the matter will be no lofer by fuch
indulgence. Alfo fervants ought to be kind to
their matters children, which is reputable; and
matters ought not to let their children infult their
fervants ; and if the fervants merit correction, lee
it be done prudently, and not in a fury, or in the
heat of pafiion ; for fuch correction, in the heat of
pafllon, oftner hardens the heart, than amends the
manners of the youth fo corrected.

Both the matter and the fervant ought ftrictly to
obferve, and not to break their covenants which
they have mutually agreed to in their indentures,
figned and fealed before witneifes, or elfe they
lofe their title to juftice, and as it is not prudent
nor juft, neither is it lawful fo to do. It is a great
happinefs in a family when the matter and miftrefs,
man-fervants, and maid-fervants, live together in
love and good -will, and endeavour to promote
each others intereft: then when there is occafion to
part, the good wifhes of each other go along with
thofe who go, and flay with thofe who ftay. And
the care of parents in this affair, is worthy the
youth's folid thought and confederation.

Thus after the fine and fprightly young man hath
faithfully ferved his apprenticeship, and is arrived to
the age df one and twenty years, when it is lawful
for him and others to deal and trade one with another,
then it may be fuitable for him to marry according
to the ordinance of God, and his early inftitution in
paradife, who then faid (and his word is the fame
to this day) " It is not good for man to be alone/*
whatever others may fay to the contrary. Oh ! what
pity and fhame it is, that fo many (otherwise) greac
wits, and fine flourifhing young men, ihould plead
and practife againft lawful marriage, to their lading
reproach and infamy ; and if they Ihould have any
pofterity, it is a fcandal on them alfo, though they
are innocent 5 for through their parents faults, they

O o are

YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

are pointed at as illegitimate : and the inevitable
confequences of fuch filthy mixtures, are monftrous
confufion.

But let us hope and endeavour better for our pre-
fent rifing generation, and our hopeful and flourifli-
ing youths : and fince the Hate of marriage is an
exceeding happy Mate of life, if performed in the
fear and love of God, and with confent of parents
and parties concerned ; and othervvife the reverfe :
therefore confidering the bafhfulnefs of fome youths
(and fometimes to a great fault) it might be well
for the parents in time to propofe marriage to their
children, who fometimes have been loft for want of
performing it in the fear and the love of God ; and
indeed it being one of the greateft concerns in life,
and being for life, a young man and a young woman
ought therefore to act therein with the greateft care
and caution, as ought the parents alfo. And let the
parents be helpful to their youth, according to their
ability, and according to the induftry of the youth,
and ftiil be helping them, which is an encourage
ment to ingenious and virtuous young people. By
being too ftrait handed, there may be a wifhing for
the death of the parents, laying, They cannot carry
it with them to their graves; yet the parent is not
to impoverifh himfeif for his children ; for that hath
fometimes ruined both parents and children alfo.

The parents may propofe, but the youth ought to
chufe, becaufe they muft live and die by it; the
chief motive of marriage ought to be pure and true
love, which the parents cannot give to the children
for each other; they may give them money, and
give them advice, but they cannot give them love;
and parents, by over awing and over perfuadmg
them, have brought ruin on many a beautiful fon
and daughter.

In this cafe of marriage, the choice (if we defign
to be happy for term of life) ought to be a virtuous

perfon :

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS. 579

perfon : that ought to be our chiefeft aim. Our
happinefs doth notconfift in either riches or beauty;
for " riches make themfelves wings, and fly away."
Prov. xxiii. 5. And beauty is a fading flower : virtue
is much more preferable and enduring ; to have all
thele together in one perfon, is fuch a rarity as is
hard to be found. And in this great cafe of mar
riage, it is an excellent thing to be equally matched,
or in the apoftle's words, " equally yoked :" not
one of one perfuafion in religion, and the other of
another; not one very old, and the other very young :
Firft, for where two of different perfuafions marry,
and have children, which way muil the children
fteer their courfe ? after the father or the mother ?
and if their parents are both true to their contrary
principles, who muft prevail in relation to their
childrens way and worfhip ? Many inconveniences,
and much confufion, muft naturally be the confe-
quences of fuch marriages.

Thofe who marry on account of riches, are very
often difappointed ; for they very foon are on the
wing ; they will fly away, fometimes in the flames,
and fometimes they will (leal away in the dark by
theft; and fometimes they will fwim away by water,
or fly away with canvas wings, and never return ;
and fometimes by the intemperance and extrava
gancies of the man or woman, are moft profufely
wafted. And here let it be noted, that to live com
fortably in the world, there muft be both in the man,
and alfo in the woman, induftry and frugality; for
otherwife, if one hath a hundred thoufand a year,
it might all, and more than all, be fpent in excefs ;
and if the man be extravagant, the woman and her
family muft fuffer; and likewife if the woman is ex
travagant, and lives to excefs, that man cannot
thrive in the world ; fo that both muft manage their
affairs with frugality and induftry ; and then no
doubt, but through the biefling of God, they may

O o 2 be

580 YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

be very happy in one another, and in their outward
affairs, and in Chrifl Jefus the Lord : but then the
blefiing of God mud be fought chiefly, and above
all.

Alfo the very old marrying with the very young,
is moftly attended with inconveniency, as daily ex
perience teaches ; for too generally fuch matches are
on the one fide for riches •, for where do we find a
young man that marries a poor old woman, or a
young woman that marries a poor old man ? And
how often have we heard young ones fay, They
would never marry old ones any more ? And one
may well fuppofe, they had not married thofe old
ones they did, if it had not been for their riches j
and many times Providence has difappointed them
in the enjoyment of what they fo much fought for.

We now fuppofe our blooming young man and
woman well married and fettled in the world, ac
cording to their own, and parents, and relations
liking and choice; and, now according to the appre-
henfion of themfelves and others, they are in a
happy flare, and are really fo in one another : Oh
the love and endearments of fuch a pair, who can
fully exprefs it ! It hath fomething of the re-
femblance of the flate of our firfl parents in Para-
diie ; and happy, yea, thrice happy would they be,
that make it their care and fludy to live fo, and do
live fo until they die ; and then when one of thefe
happy intire lovers dies, it fometimes happens that
the other cannot furvive long, but fhortly doth die
too.

But as our parents in Paradife, fo we in this para-
difical flate, have the fame fubtle, ferpentine ipirit
to war withal ; for fatan envies us this happinefs,
and ufes all his craft and fubtilty to break the love
and flricl union between man and wife, and to turn
it to hatred and bitternefs; fo that inflead of dying
for one another, they wifh one another dead -, and

fome-

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS. 581

fometimes the innocent fufFerer dies indeed, with
forrow and grief; and the furvivor meets with one
who pays off all former fcores.

In order to circumvent our grand enemy, and keep
to our firft love as much as lies in our power, we muft
ftrictly avoid anger, je'aloufy, intemperance, wilful
feparation, and the one too much infilling in his or
her will, againft the others, &c. But in cafes dubi
ous or difficult, the Author of all things hath given
the decifive power to the male, becaufe the female
was firft in the tranfgreffion ; but it were better if
thefe two had but one will, as they are one flefh,
and that there were no other power between them
two, but the fweet and cordial power of love ; in
that mortals (efpecially when it is in that which is
divine) ever were, and ftill are, and always will be,
happy.

i. Anger ought as much as pofTible to be avoided,"
between a man and his wife. In a heat or rage,
that may be done or faid in an inflant, which one or
both may have occafion to repent of all their days ;
and when once done, it cannot be undone. Again,
and as often as a man is angry with his wife, or a
woman with herhufband (without a fufficient caufe)
fo often do they make work for repentance, and with
out which the fault cannot be done clean away. Let
the angry perfon remember the good advice in facred
record, cc Let not the fun go down on thine anger,'*
Eph. iv. 26. And if it was not to go down on the
anger of the common people, much more it ought
not between a man and his wife. And let fpecial
care be taken, that both be not angry together?
for that would be the way to fire the whole houfe
prefently, fo that the houfe would be too hot to
hold them.

sdly, Jealoufy. Oh cruel jealoufy ! Jealoufy is
cruel as the grave, and burns as a fire in the foul, and
will certainly confume it, if it be kept alive. It

O o 3 ought

582 YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

ought indeed to be carefully watched againft, and
each perfon to avoid all actions that might give, or
have any umbrage that way. A free, open difpoii-
tion, would mightily help to quench the burning
flames of jealoufy. And love, fmcere love, will
mightily circumvent our fiery enemy, the prince of
evil flames, who drives to ftir up that (and not only
that, but other) and all falfe fires whatfoever. If
we would live in peace and love, let us put on
charity; and that will lead us to put the beft con-
firuction, and not the worfl, on the words and
actions one of another. This is a fafe and good
general rule for a man and his wife to obferve ; and
not only for a man and his wife, but for all others,
on all occafions of difference. For what fad work
would it make in the world, and who could efcapc
from cenfure, if the worft conftrudions were put on
all their free words and difcourfes ? Yet fome may
be cenfured defervedly notwithstanding. Oh ! but
this divine love is fuch a wonderful thing, it will
quench the darts of the devil, and he cannot wound
us while this prevails.

Worthy to be remembered is that great faying of
the Son of God, " By this lhall all men know that
<c ye are my diiciples, if ye love one another," John
xiii. 35. And this between a man and his wife, is
doubtlefs highly neceflfary ; and without it they mufl
be unhappy.

gdly. Intemperance is a fore evil in a married
flate, (it is bad in any, and worfe in that) for it not
only deftroys the peace of the family, but that by
which (under Providence) the family fubfifts, and
is fupported (i. e. the increafe or regular income of
it) and it alfo deftroys the health, debauches the mind,
quenches cordial love, hurts pofterity, in caufing
weakly children, deftroys credit and reputation, and
hath brought many a family to poverty, ruin, and
dilgrace. Oh ! the mifery intemperance brings on

people

TO GOD AND THEIR PARENTS.

people and families, in drinking efpecialiy, and alfo
in eating and apparel, it is hard to be expreffed m
words. Oh ! what cruel hardfhips it brings on per
fons and their families, and that efpecialiy of drink-
ino- to excefs, which the male kind are moil guilty of.
How barbarous it is for a man to be caroufmg in
a tavern till morning, and his ^vife weeping by
herfelf at home, waiting for him ? And when he
comes in, fometimes in great diforder, and often in
fuch fits, he is very mifchievous, and commits much
folly and outrage, of which he would be afhamed
when fober. Surely, if man or woman were not
wholly deprived of confideration, they would or
fnould confider maturely, and think folidly of the
evil confequences of this great evil, and fin of in
temperance.

4thly. Wilful feparation, between a man and his
wife, is of dangerous confequence. That was very
fatal to our firft parents, and feems to infect thepof-
terity to this very day. Fair Eve leaving her dear
Adam^ coft her dear. She had not been fo open to
the intrigues of vile fatan, if fhe had had her Adam
with her ; and though the female is generally the
weaker veffel, yet her flrength is greatly augmented
with the prefence and company of her hufband;
and fo is the hufband in the fame confederation.
Daily experience teaches, that it is of ill confe
quence for women to go much abroad without their
hufbands, or young women, without fome body to
protect and defend them, from the intuits of rude
perfons, except on family, or fome other laudable
concerns. Womens bufmefs being much in. their
own families, and mens alfo; to leave their wives
lono-, without neceffity, on account of bufmefs, is
often hurtful to both. And men and their wives to
fleepfeparately if in health (or by confent, without
<yood reafons) is very unnatural, and often tends to
O o 4 1/Ji^n

584 YOUTH PERSUADED TO OBEDIENCE

lefTen the love and affetfcion they ought to have for
each other.

It is good for married people to advife with each
other, about the affairs of their families, they being
fo nearly related; and to befubjecl: to one another in
things indifferent ^ and not fbrenuoufly to infift on
their own wills, one againft another; for that often
breeds contempt, and difcon tent, and mightily tends
to leffen the love and affection which they ought to'
have for one another. It would be well for married
people todifciofe their differences as little as may be,
to any but themfelves ; and not to be contented or
fatisfied, till they are made up again ; always re-
membring their marriage-covenant, which is to be
loving and faithful till death. Some married peo
ple have been heard to fay, that f The longer they
lived together, the more they loved one another.'

As the defign of the Almighty in the beginning
was, in his ordinance of marriage, that the man and
the woman fhould be help-meets to each other in
divers relations : fo it behoved us to anfwer this great
end, and noble defign, in his fear.

In our domeftick affairs, we fhould draw together,
and help one another ; the woman in her houfhold
affairs at home, and the man in his neceffary affairs
abroad, feeking to God for a bleffing upon their la
bours: and if accidents happen, or loffes or crofles,
by fire or water, by fea or land, the loving hufband
and the tender wife, will help to comfort the moft

tneved with foft and kind expreffions; fuchas c My
ear, lince it is our lot to meet fuch difappoint-
ments, and great loffes, fince we could not help it ;
and we are not become poor through idlenefs, or ex
travagancy, let us endeavour to bear it as patiently
as we can ; and let us comfort and cheer up one
-another: we do not know but all this may be for
the beft; and if the Almighty fees meet, he can
give us more than ever we yet had. If not, let us

endea-

TO GOD AND THEIR. PARENTS.

endeavour to be content, and try to make it up in
loving one another/

And as to religion, a man and woman fearing
God, may be very helpful to one another, they hav
ing many opportunities, to fpeak their experiences to
each other; and times, wherein they may read the
holy fcriptures, and explain their lenfe, of parti
cular pafTages and places to one another and the
family, without interruption or fear of offence, or
offending contending perfons; and by flirring up
one another to true religion, and the fear and worfhip
of the Moft High God.

Thus living and continuing in the love and holy
fear of God, and true faith of Chriii, they have
good ground to hope at lad to die in his favour.
Oh who would but hope to live and die like fuch 3
pair !

ST. CHALKLKP.

( 536 )

FREE THOUGHTS

COMMUNICATED TO

FREE THINKERS,

IN ORDER TO PROMOTE

Thinking on the Name and Works of G o D :

WITH

A Relation of a remarkable Providence which fell
out at Port Royal, in Jamaica, fuitable to the
Subject, written at Sea.

[The Preface and Poftfcript by another Hand]

The fool hath f aid in his Hearty there is no God. Pfalm

xiv. i.

R

E.

TH E author, in the courfe of his converfation,
having met with fome perfons, who avowing
the principles heoppofes in the following trad, have
been forward to aflame the character of Free-think
ers, might have thereby been determined to fuch a
title and direction of his work. And as it is to be
feared, the number is too great of thofe who love a

falfe

PREFACE. 5S7

falfe liberty, both in ading and fpeaking, it is not to
be wondered at, fhould they endeavour to juftify
themfelves therein, by fo fpecious a pretence $s that
of freedom. A privilege fo undeniable to every
man, that, without it, none could poflibly be praifed
or condemned for any determination or action what-
foever ; but it muft be imputed to that power alone,
which impofes a neceility towards either good or
evil ; fo that in fuch cafe, all diftinction of virtue and
vice muft ceafe in our apprehenfions of morality, and
human fociety lie in the greateft and moft deplor
able confufion for want of it. Far be it therefore
from any judicious or honeft perfon, to endeavour
to exclude or difuade any from a juit freedom in
fpeculation or practice. But let thofe who pretend
to this, entirely fatisfy themfelves, that they have
fully and fincerely made ufe of it, and that in their
enquiries they have faithfully collected, and impar
tially confidered, that evidence the nature of the
fubject might have required, or has afforded them.
Thofe who deny an eternal exiftence, power and
providence, which hath created and preferved the
world, feem neither to have obferved nature, nor
confulted that reafon, which yet fome of them may
much pretend to follow. To fuch the following
confiderations are recommended by the author ;
which deferve to be read with attention and feriouf-
nefs, for the goodwill and fmcere views with which
they feem to have been written.

The

( 538 )

The AUTHOR to the READER.

THE author having been much prefifed in fpirit
to write the following confiderations upon the
prefent fubje6t and occafion, begs they may be read
with attention, and examined without prejudice.
He hopes the learned and ingenious reader will ex-
cufe any faults in flile or method, having refpect to
the fincerity of intention, which he profefles to have
had in his undertaking; and humbly prays that a
divine blefiing may attend it, to the fatisfa&ion and
eternal advantage of all whom it may concern.

Free

( 5*9 )
Free Thoughts communicated, 8cc.

HAVING had fome difcourfe with a young
man of bright natural parts, concerning ano
ther world, and of leaping out of this into that
in the dark, which muft needs be very dangerous;
and fearing that many take that great leap out of
this world into the next in that manner, I have been
induced to write thefe lines.

Upon which I cannot forbear immediately afking,
What man in his fenies will venture (naturally
fpeaking) to leap in the dark, he knows not where ?
or into the pit, he knows not the bottom of? to
think of it is terrifying, and muft needs fhock any
confiderate free-thinker.

Now, though a man, having a bright genius, and
a large fhare of natural parts, may acquire much
literal and natural knowledge •, yet for want of a
fpiritual underftanding, which is derived from the
divine Spirit, he may greatly err concerning true
faith and religion, and have no apprehenfion of the
eternal kingdom, and judgment of God, or of ano
ther world j which it might be well for the ungodly
were not, or were never to be at all : which, were it
to be fuppofed, yet to live virtuouQy, (as the biihop
of Sarum obferved to that great libertine, the earl of
Rochefter) would be an advantage to men, even in
this world.

But if there fhould be an eternal, righteous king
dom (of which we may be internally and fpiritually
fenfible) and a ftate of life therein to come ; then,
O then, what will become of the wicked, and all
\vho forget God ! and what perturbation of foul muft
attend fuch, when, under the convictions thereof,

they

590 FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED

they (hall be ready to launch into eternity. I be-
feech thee, O foul ! ferioufly to confider, before it be
too late.

The great Saviour of the world fays, "Theking-
<c doin of God is within you," Luke xvii. 21. That
is, inwardly and fpiritualiy, to be known and per
ceived. He alfo fays, " I am the light of the
<c world," John viii. 12. He, by his divine and
fupernatural light, lights us through this dark world
to his fpiritual and glorious kingdom, where he rules
and reigns in tranfcendant majefty and brightnefs;
of which his faithful fubjefts are in fome meafure
fenfible : glory to the King of kings for ever.

And that eminently wife apoftle Paid fays, cc He
<c was fent to turn men from darknefs to light.5*
Darknefs he calls the power of Satan, and light the
power of God. Now as a man walking in outward
darknefs, is in continual danger of falling, not know-
ing whether he goeth ; fo alfo a man living and
walking in fpiritual darknefs (which is the power of
Satan, where the wonderful power and works of God
cannot be feen nor underftood) mud needs be in the
greateft danger of falling into the bottomlefs pit of
perdition, where horrible darknefs, and unutterable
mifery prevails for ever.

The many bitter cries, dreadful ihrieks, and heavy
groans, which my ears have heard from fuch dark
fouls, ready to depart the body, have been enough to
convince me of the judgment of another world,
though there had been no other demonftration of it
to me. May our fine wits, and fp rightly youths
concerned, repent in time. Oh ! my heart is pain
ed for them •, and my foul mourns in fecret for many
of my former and latter acquaintance, as I have alfo
tender defires for the well-doing and well-being of
mankind in general.

If any, by duly thinking of thefe things, mould
be awakened and convinced of their ftate, and their

former

TO FREE THINKERS. 591

former lives and wicked practices ; and have fo much
light as to fee the danger of living without God in
the world ; but be ready to conclude, that if there
be indeed a righteous God, who will reward every
man according to his works, there can then be no
hope for them, fuch wretched fmners. Oh fouls
(if this be the cafe of any) look not at fuch thoughts,
which (in the midil of your juft apprehenfions) fatan
taking advantage, may thus fugged to you ; who
having got you deep already in the mire of fin,
would by fuch infufions plunge you deeper both in
to fin and defpair.

Be it remembered that Chrift died for finners, even
the chief, as Paul fays, and he can make a chief faint
of a chief fmner, as appears in the cafe of that apoflle
by his own teilimony : God hath and can do it,
though it be wonderful !

Wherefore abide not in darknefs, but repent, and
turn to the light of life ; ftrive and ftruggle for
life, the life of God in the foul of man ; turn ye to
the divine light, turn to God, who is light, and
in him is no darknefs at all ; live and walk in the
light of God, which is far above the light of human
reafon ; therein fhall we have fellowship with the
Father of lights, and his Son Jcfus Chrift ; whofe
religion is fpiritual : <e God is a Spirit, and they
<( that worfhip him," aright/, " muft worfhip him
fc in fpirit and truth."

God muft be worfhipped in thought, word, and
deed ; that is, in all things we ought to exprefs an
humble reverence and adoration to the Sovereign be
ing, frequently meditating on his great name; but
all evil and fmful thinking we muft refrain from with
abhoirence, as difpleafing to him; and is of the
devil that evil fpirit j and which indeed is contrary
to the nature and end of free-thinking; which is a
fincere exercife of the rational faculty, in order to
diftinguifh between good and evil, truth and falfhood^

that

FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED

that we may chufe and acknowledge the one, and
avoid and reject the other. And here it may not be
unfit to recommend the care of all our thoughts,
from whence proceeds our words and actions as na
turally, as good and evil fruit from the different feed
fown in the earth.

And as the trueft and moft fublime end of thinking
(which is the reafonable fervice of every intelligent
creature) is the contemplation, fear, and adoration,
of the Almighty Creator; fo are we thereto greatly
encouraged by that Scripture of Mai. in. 16, 17, 18.
which 1 am concerned here to tranfcribe and recom
mend, and is as follows, " Then they that feared
<c the Lord, fpake often one to another, and the
cc Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of re-
<c membrance was written before him for them that
<c feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
«c And they ihall be mine, faith the Lord of Hods,
cc in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will
cc fpare them as a man fpareth his own fon that ferveth
<c him. Then fhall ye return and difcern between
<c the righteous and the wicked, between him that
" ferveth God, and him that ferveth him not."

In which Scripture we may obferve how great and
glorious a reward is promifed to thofe that fandlify
the name of the Lord ; the confideration of which
muft needs raife their love and admiration, and add
to their prefent delight in fuch holy thoughts.
r But, on the contrary, it is to be feared, that evil
thinkers and actors, when the Divine Spirit and
light would infpire them with good thoughts, or
convince them of their fins, endeavour to ftifle or
overcome fuch thoughts or motions as would awaken
them to righteoufnefs, or reftrain them from fin; and
ilrive, by their natural wit, to reafon the good Spirit
out of their fouls ; at the fame time opening their
heart to the evil fpirit and his fuggeftions, which
they hug, to their Qwn deftruftign. But indeed to

judge

TO FREE THINKERS. 593

judge rightly of thefe things, if a man have ever fo
much natural wit, and ftrength of reafon, it muft be
fan£tified through his faithful fubjedtion to the divine
will, and railed by divine infpiration; which as far
furpaftes human reafon, as heaven is above the earth.
May our men of bright natural thoughts think clear
ly and ferioufly of this. This is evident in the cafe
of that great apoflle Paul, who was educated at the
feet of Gamaliel, in the perfect manner of the law,
yet by all his knowledge, could not juftly diftinguifh
concerning religion, but was a perfecutor of the
church of Chnft : but when his knowledge and
fpirit came to be fanclified by the Grace and Spirit
of our Lord Jefus Chrift, then, and not till then, he
became of great and good ufe and fervice to his
Maker and mankind. Then his reafon and religion
became fpiritual, cc who had not conferred with flefh
<c and blood, but had been obedient to the heavenly
" vifion," Gal. i. 16. And he fays (i Cor. xv. 19.)
" If in this life only we have hope in Chrift, we are
" of all men moft miferable." So that his hope and
expectation (as of all faithful believers) muft have
been of another life, and the kingdom of God here
after; " For here," fays he, " we have no continu-
<f ing city, but leek one to come," Heb. xiii. 14.
And though the condition of fuch, in this life, is
often expofed to much perfecution and trouble for •
their faith's fake, towards the name of God, and tef-
timony againft this world, and the evil fpirit ruling
therein -9 yet, blefTed be the Moft High, he gives
them ftrength, and the affurance of his favour, where
by they endure to the end, as well as that he refrelhcs
them with his outward bleilings and comforts: fo
that they may well fay with his ancient fervant Jol\
<c Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord,
<c and not evil ?" Job ii. 10. Thus afflictions have
been indeed ufualiy called, but they often, in the
hand of God, are means of redeeming the foul, and

P p raifing

594 FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED

railing up many excellent virtues, when they are
rightly fubmitted to.

But to return. I would enquire what fubject we
can poffibly chufe fo worthy of our meditation, or
from whence fo great benefit can redound both to
fpirit and body? The fear and thoughts of Almighty
God, which are infpired by his Grace, fanftifying our
hearts, thereby render us more fit to receive his fa
vours both to fpirit and body, which he multiplies
according to his wifdom and good pleafurej and all
our faculties and pafiions being redeemed and go
verned by the ipirit of faith, we lliall pofifefs and en
joy all things in a more regular and excellent man
ner. But who is there that hath not been fo great a
partaker of the many bleffings, with which the infi
nite Creator filleth the world, and in efpecial man
ner encompafTeth mankind, as not to be thereby o-
bliged to a continual acknowledgment thereof, and
remembrance of the great and bountiful Author ?
The ftate therefore of the wicked and rebellious, is
iligmatized in holy Scripture, with this character in
particular, that " God is not in all their thoughts/'
PfaL x. 4. And indeed for this came his judgment
upon the old world of the ungodly, who cannot be
fuppofed ever to have thought of the adorable Lord,
fince " every imagination and thought of their hearts
were only evil continually,'3 as the Almighty himfelf
hath complained, Gen. vi. 5.

But inilead of the returns of faith and love, how
fad a confideration is it, that there ihouki among men
be found any fo vile and foolilh, as even to deny the
divine exiftence, and the effects of his infinite power
in the external creation, and to affirm that all things
have come by nature, without God, or any fuperna-
tural power j which evil tenet, fome have endeavoured
to juftify and fupport by natural reafon; (c Where-
c in the name thereof may indeed be abufed ; but
* reafon itfelf, which concludes nothing without

c evidence

TO FREE THINKERS. 595

c evidence, can never declare in favour of a propo-
c fition, for which, not only none can appear, but
c againft which the whole world is full of it. But
c let this be difpofed for the judgment of reafon.
' When therefore it is faid, that all things have
c come by nature ; if thereby we are to underftand
c that natural things are feveraily felf-productive,
f this will be difproved by daily experience; for we
c may obferve, that they depend one upon another,
c and upon various caufes for production and fubfift-
c ence, without which, neither, in a ftate of nature,
'« could pofiibly be. But if it be meant of the univer-
c fal fyftem of natural things collectively, this will
c lefs be allowed of many, than of any particular of
* them; becaufe that would deflroy the nature of a
c felf-prpduflive power, which cannon be limited
c from being infinite, and therefore can be but one:
c one infinite, fupreme nature therefore only can have
c felf-exifled, and muft have been the fupernatural
c author and power, by whom all other beings
c have exifted : which refutes the above error, and
4 rationally proves and eftablilh.es the great truth in
f the queftion.')

And this the Chriftian religion teaches in the great-
eft perfection, that the Creator of all things is God,
an infinite eternal Spirit, who filicth all things; who
having been pleafed to manifeft his eternal power and
Godhead in the vifible frame of the univerfe, beareth
witnefs of hirnfelf therein, by his providence and
judgments ; and in every foul of man by his inward
infpirations ; efpecially the fincere believer, in whom
his Spirit dwells and operates.

Oh ! that men therefore would lift up their minds,
and open their hearts to him, when by his holy Spirit
he reproves them for fin, and brings a damp upon
their ipirits for evil ; from which they would, per
haps if they could, run, or divert themfelves from
the ienfe of it: but alas! there is no fleeing from his

P p 2 prefence,

596 FREE THOUGHTS COMMUNICATED

prefence, who is every where; nor avoiding his judg
ment, whofe kingdom comprehends all things: but
woe efpecially is to them with whom his Spirit ceafes
ftriving! Holy David certainly was very fenfible of
this, when he wrote that admirable defcription of the
Divine Omniprefence, PJalm cxxxix. yth verfe to 12.
" Whither fhall I go from thy Spirit, or whither fhall
c< I flee from thy prefence ? If I afcend up into hea-
" ven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, be-
<c hold thou art there. If I take the wings of the
<c morning, and dwell in the uttermoft parts of the
" fea, even there fhall thy hand lead me, and thy
*c right hand fhall hold me. If I fay, furely the
cc darknefs ihall cover me, even the night fhall be
" light about me, yea the darknefs hideth not from
<c thee-, but the night fhineth as the day: the dark-
" nefs and the light are both alike to thee." With
thefe apprehenfions of the infinite power, and pre
fence of the Almighty, I fhall pals to the relation
propifed in the title page, which may here be pro
perly inferted.

My author was Jonathan Dickinfon, merchant in
Philadelphia^ who was prefent with the young men,
\vhom this extraordinary providence befel, at Port-
Royal> in Jamaica-, he gave me the following account.
Two ingenious young men, who were lately arrived at
Jamaica from London, difcourfing about earthquakes,
aliened that all things came by nature- and fo ar
gued thereupon, that it brought terror upon the com
pany, who were many at dinner in an. upper room :
that whilft this lafted, to the aftonilhment of all
prefent, the earth began to move and tremble, which
put moft of them to flight in fuch hade, that they
ran one aimed over another, fomedown ftairs, others
leaping over the balcony. But my author faid, he
confuit-red that there was no running from Divine
Providence, and that the fame hand which moved
the earth, was able to preferye hip 5 in which he

trufted?

TO FREE THINKERS. 597

trufted, and was preferved: (and not only then, but at
other times, efpecially among the Cannibals Q{ Florida;
as his book of c God's protecting Providence/ &c,
fignallyevinceth) thus as he continued with the young
men in the fame room (oh ! terrible to relate, and
my heart and hand tremble in the writing thereof)
the mighty hand of an offended God (truck thefe
young men with death, and they fell down, and ne
ver rofe more, being in all appearance unprepared for
fo fudden a change. And how many other gay witty
young people have been fuddenly fnatched away by
death, though perhaps not fo immediately, nor in fo
extraordinary a manner, feems worthy of reflection.
The author of this account added, that he took up the
young men, and laid them one upon a bed, and the
other upon a couch -, but that they never fpake again
after their blafphemy againft God and his works.
Upon which I think it very natural, as well as ne-
ceffary, to remark, that this was indeed an eminent
inilance of the juft judgment of God againil fuch as
deny his wonderful power and providence in the cre
ation ; with this terrible circumftance, that thefe un
happy perfons were cut off in the midft of their un
godly difcourfe and corrupt reafoning, without fo
much time afforded them as to afk pardon, and crave
mercy of a provoked Lord^ which is very dreadful to
confider: and I efpecially recommmend it to the feri-
ous reflections of all fuch as affect the name of Free-
Thinkers, as they are commonly diftinguifhed, that
they may no longer, under fuch a pretence, abufe
their un'derftandings with a latitude of prophane and
evil thinking; who, as they mud needs be fenfible,
they have not conferred the excellent faculty of rea-
fon upon themfelves ; fo they may as certainly con
clude, they never received it to exclude his existence,
power and providence, out of the world, who gave
it them; nor to employ it to their own deftruccion,
}?y fuch a perverfion thereof, which muft inevitably

be

598 FREE THOUGHTS, &c.

be the confequence, without timely and due repen
tance; but that they may apply themfelves to him
for true vvifdom, who is the eternal fountain of it*
who would direct all their thoughts arignt therein^
then would they fin-d a fubftantial and enduring hap-
pinefs and fatisfaction, in the honourable thoughts
and praclice of true religion and virtue; and that all
vain and evil thoughts, directly tended to the mifery
and deftruction of mankind.

Laftly, if any exprefFion in this fliort tract ihould
prove fuccefsful to promote, in any meafure, the con
templation of the Divine Being; the confideration. of
man's duty to him, his Almighty Creator; or to con
vince but one foul of the error of his thoughts and
ways; the author will think himfelf richly rewarded
for his endeavours, and reverently afcribe the glory
and praife to God, the prime Author and Mover of
every good thing, who is worthy forever.

The POSTSCRIPT.

IF we duly confider the nature of human under-
(landing, as we (hall neceffarily be led to admire
the wonderful Author of ib excellent a gift to man
kind, according to the power and extent thereof; fb
fliall we be forced to acknowledge its imperfection,
not only where the nature of things exceed its views,
butalibin tracing and explicating that evidence which
many of them afford ; but efpecially as to its influence
in a moral refpect, how fubject is it to be obfcured,
and .its faculties difabled by the violence of thole paf-
fibns and affections with which human nature is too
ordinarily agitated. So that man cannot but want

fome

THE POSTSCRIPT.

fome extraordinary affiitance; and lie under the great-
ell obligation to iubmit every faculty and affedioa
to the diiedion and difpofal of that Infinite Power
and Wifdom, which having fo wonderfully confti-
tuted, can beit preferve, and conduct him to a ftate
of happinefs.

Can it then be thought unrighteous in the Supreme
Diipofer of all things, fo to have fafhioned our na
tures, and ranged them (though above many other
beings, yet) in luch a ftate of dependence, as conti
nually to exprefs his fovereign power and rectitude?
Since by our entire refignation to his Divine Handf
we may be transformed to a greater likenefs of him,
and have a fpirit and nature fuperinduced of divine
extraction from the Father of Lights •, whom to
know and contemplate, through the revelation of
his Son Jefus Chriit (his infinite love of mankind)
is eternal life and fupreme happinefs.

Which myftery, far above human underftandinp-j
he hath been pleafed to reveal by his Spirit, who
fearcheth the deep things of God, in order to work
in us faith in, and the higheft admiration of that ex
alted Name, by whom he hath vifited our low eftate,
and would redeem it in him, into the gre-ateft dig
nity it is capable of. The particulars of whofe in
carnation, paffion, refurrection, and afcenfion into
eternal glory, though highly admirable, and which
the bleiled apoiile, who had been an eye-witnefs of
his glory, fays, " The angels defire to look into,"
i Pet. i. 12. can none of them however be perverted
to a fenfe of being repugnant to reafon; becaufe not
impoilible to infinite love, or infinite power; who
could abafe himfelf from his glory, and be made flefh
in a virgin; could work all miracles, and the greatefl
of all, the raifmg himfelf from the dead; and could
afcend up where he was before. All which are a-
greeable to right reaibn, and appear fo, with ravifh-
ment to the enlightened and fandifkd •, especially

with

6oo THE POSTSCRIPT;

with the evidence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
which confirmeth the humble believer in the faving
faith and knowledge of thefe things to the end.
And 1 am glad of this occafion to diftinguifh to thee,
ingenious reader, that though no divine truths are
contrary to natural reafon ; yet, as they far tranfcend
it, they are not comprehenfible by it, as other truths
whhin the reach of its capacity are : as no nature
below man, nor qualified with reafon as he is, can
pofiibly know as he knows. Which obfervation is
not of the leafr. importance to us : for if it therefore
follows, " that no man knows the things of God but
tc by the Spirit of God," i Cor. ii. n. then can no
man without the revelation of the fame Spirit, know
the myftery of the Divine Power, by which he was
created, and by which he muft be eternally faved and
bleiled.' Grace therefore, or the Divine Spirit by its
influence and infpiration, muft be received and obey
ed as an infallible oracle, if we would know and pur-
fue thofe things which tend to our prefent and future
happineis ; as alib the authority of the holy Scrip
tures fubmitted to, as having proceeded from the
fame grace, of which they faithfully teftify, and of
that which is neceffary to be by us believed and
praclifed.

L The excellency and necefiity of which divine
record tohimfelf, man certainly mull acknowledge,
when he confiders, that that alone has given him an
account of his own origin, which, what man could
have known? And that he ilill may the better under-
fland himfelf, of his lapfe and corruption from that
excellency and glory of his nature, in which he was
created, by departing from the truth, into a fable
and notion of independency of nature, and fufficien-
cy of wifdom without God. So that he is become
as the the beafts which perifli, as to the neceflity of
diffolution to his mortal parr ; and in his greateft na
tural honour, may, in chat refpcft, be compared to

them ;

THE POSTSCRIPT, 601

them ; which is fufficient to humble him under the
fenfe of his weak elementary ftate, with all the glory
and advantages that may attend it.

But if man will not be convinced of the imper
fection and vanity of this nature, by the infirmities
and miferies to which it is continually fubjecT:; nor
of the glory of the Eternal Majefty, by the infinite
wonders thereof, throughout the univerfe; rejecting
the teftimony of his own fenfes, of every created
thing, and of the Scriptures of truth; nor yet behold
his glory in the appearance of the Saviour, which he
reveals in every confcience, then muft his blindnefs
be concluded incurable, and his deftruction unavoid
able.

F 1 N I S.

BOOKS PRINTED and SOLD by
JAMES PHILLIP^

GEORGE YARD, LOMBARD STREET.

The Seleft Works of W. PEN*. To which is
prefixed, The Life of the Author, in 5 vols, 8vo,
well bound 2is. 6d. Calf lettered 255.

No CROSS, No CROWN : A Difcourfe, Ihewing
the Nature and Difcipline of the Crofs of Chrift,
&c. By W. PENN, 8vo, new Edition, bound 55.

A Brief Account of the RISE and PROGRESS of
the People called Quakers. By W. PENN, bound is.

Ditto in French, new Tranflation, bound is. 6d.

An APOLOGY for the TRUE CHRISTIAN DIVINITY,
being an Explanation and Vindication of the Prin
ciples and Doctrines of the People called Quakers.
By ROBERT BARCLAY, 8vo, bound 55.

PERSECUTION EXPOSED* in fome Memoirs relating
to the Sufferings of JOHN WHITING, and many
others of the People called Quakers, in the Weil of
England, &c. A new Edition. 53. Sheep.

The Hiftory of the Life of THOMAS ELLWOOD,
or an Account of his Birth, Education, &c. with
divers Obfervations on his Life and Manners when
a Youth : and how he came to be convinced of the
Truth ; with his many Sufferings and Services for
the fame. To which is added, a Supplement by
J. W, A new Edition. 3$, Sheep.

The

The Works of ISAAC PENNINGTON, in 4 volsf
Svo, well bound 2os. Calf lettered 225.

The Works of that ancient, faithful Servant of
(Thrift Jefus, JOHN CROOK. To which is prefixed
the Author's Life, written by himfelf. A new Edi
tion. 53. Calf.

An Account of that ancient Servant of Jefus
Chrift, JOHN RICHARDSON, giving a Relation of
many of his Trials and Exercifes in his Youth, and
his Services in the Work of the Miniftry in Eng
land, Ireland, America, &c. A new Edition, as*
Shtep.

A Journal, or Hiftorical Account of the Life,
Travels, Sufferings, Chriftian Experiences, and La
bours in the Work of the Miniftry, of GEORGE Fox.
Folio. Bound i 8s.

A Journal of the Life, Travels, Sufferings, &c,
of WILLIAM EDMUNDSON, -&c. Svo. Bound 45,

Some Confederations relating to the Prefent State
of the ChrilHan Religion, &c. By ALEXANDER
ASCOTT. Bvo. Bound js.