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FRIEND'S LIBRARY,

CONSISTING PRINCIPALLY OF

JOURNALS

AND

Extracts from Journals and other Writings

OF MEMBERS

OF THE

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS,

VOL. 5.

LINDFIELD:

PRINTED AT THE SCHOOLS OF INDUSTRY,

AND SOLD BY LONGMAN AND CO. PATERNOSTER-ROW, LONDON
HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH STREET; J. AND A.
ARCH, CORNHILL; W. DARTON, HOLBORN; EDMUND
FRY, HOUNDSDITCH, AND BY ALL THE

BOOKSELLERS.

1833.

W. EADE, PRINTER, LINDFIELD,

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

RISE, INCREASE, AND PROGRESS,

OF THE SOCIETY OF

FRIENDS:

INTERMIXED WITH SEVERAL

REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES.

WRITTEN ORIGINALLY IN LOW-DUTCH

BY WILLIAM SEWEL.

PART 1.

TO GEORGE, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, IREELECTOR OF BRUNSWICK

LAND, &C. PRINCE

LUNENBURG, &c.

Great and Mighty Prince,

As there is great variety in the inclinations of men in general, so it is particularly remarkable in those who addict themselves to the studies of Nature and human Literature: for some with great eagerness enquire into the operations of nature and the natural causes of things; some endeavour to dig up antiquities from the dark, by searching out the signification of statues, the inscriptions of antique stones, and old and almost worn out medals; and others peruse with unwearied diligence, the histories both of modern and ancient times, and not without good cause: for history is not unjustly called the looking-glass of human life; not only because it sheweth unto us the matters of fact, which are either commendable, or reprov➡ able, and we behold therein that which is past, as if it were present; but also because from things which have already happened we may learn what is best for us to do, and what we ought to avoid. And therefore great benefit may be reaped from the reading of histories besides the pleasure which the variety of transactions affords to our senses, when matters are accompanied with singular circumstances and unexpected events.

Now since the reading of historical treatises

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