xlii. 7. and lxi. 1, 2, 3. were fulfilled unto many, and a heavenly gladness entered the hearts of many, who in the joy of their hearts broke forth in praises unto the Lord. The fame Comforter our blessed Lord had promifed, John xiv. being now come and received, did teach us to know the Father and the Son. Then were our hearts inclined to hearken unto the Lord, and our ears, which he had opened to hear, were bent to hear what the Spirit's teaching was, and what he faid unto the church, who was the chief fhepherd and Bishop of the foul, and thus were we gathered into a right gospel exercise and gospel worfhip, and worshipped God who is a Spirit, in the spirit received from him according to Christ's appointment, John iv. 24. and then we came to fee over all the worships in the world, which were fet up either by imitation or man's invention, and faw it to be in vain to worship God and teach for doctrines the commandments of men, as our Lord had faid, Mat. xv. 9. and therefore we were constrained to withdraw from them, and also many of us to go and bear witness against them in their invented and traditional worships, where they were ignorant of the life and power of God; and growing into experienee of the goodness of the Lord, and of the sweetness, glory, and excellency of his power in our affemblies, we grew in ftrength and zeal for our meetings more and more and valued the benefit thereof more than any worldly gain and thus continuing, we grew more and more into an understanding of divine things and heavenly mysteries, through the openings of the power that was daily amongst us, and wrought fweetly in our hearts, which ftill united us more and more unto God, and knit us together in the perfect bond of love, of fellowship and membership; fo that we became a body compact, made up of many members, whereof Chrift himself became the head, who was with us and did rule over us, aad fo further gave gifts unto us, by

which we came to be enlarged and further opened, that we might answer the end for which he had raised us up, and fo far bleffed and fanctified us through his word that dwelt in our fouls; and many through the favour of God grew in their gifts, and had their mouths opened, and became inftruments in the Lord's hand to bear witnefs unto the world of the day of the Lord that was broken forth again, even of the great and notable day that Joel prophefied of, and Peter bore witnefs unto.'

So far J. Burnyeat concerned himself: let us now hear what teftimony the brethren have given of him.

'He was (fay they) a man of an excellent fpirit and deep experience in the things of God and myfteries of his heavenly kingdom, which were abundantly made manifeft unto him, and it was his delight to be meditating therein, whereby his experience was daily encreased unto the laft. He was always careful to wait for the motion of the word, and to keep close to it, whereby he grew in his gift. He was an early comer to meetings, and a diligent waiter therein. Many times he would fit a pretty while in filence (not being forward to fpeak), reverently waiting upon the openings of the heavenly life (like the good houfeholder fpoken of), to bring forth of his treasury things both new and old; and indeed he was a bleffed inftrument in the hand of the Lord for the convincement and converfion of many. He was deep and large in his gift, adminiftering fomething that was fuitable to every state; in judgment found, free in utterance, zealous for holiness, fevere against unfound and dividing fpirits, moft tender to penitents and returning prodigals, affectionate to the brethren; of a grave and fteady temper, yet fweet; hardy in his conftitution, unwearid and undaunted in mind; a skilful marksman, whofe bow abode in ftrength, and wifdom was given him to direct his arrows to the very 'mark;

fo that the sturdy were wounded, the meek were comforted, and the tender in fpirit refreshed; and yet, although he was thus eminently gifted, he would condefcend to the weak capacities of all, to reach to the good in all. He was not without honour, even in his own country; for when at any time he came to Cumberland, where he was born and educated, his neighbours would abundantly flock to the meeting to hear him; yet he was far from glorying in his gift, or defiring to be popular, but would rather restrain fuch who would applaud him, having self in no reputation. He did greatly delight to read the holy fcriptures, and often advised Friends, especially the youth, to read them and other books treating of the true principles of the Chriftian religion, that none might be ignorant thereof. He was of a grave and becoming behaviour; his blameless deportment and converfation preached wherever he came. He would often vifit the fick and those that were in distress or affliction, as well the poor as the rich, and would freely adminifter of his outward fubftance to those that flood in need of it, as well as fpiritual comfort and refreshment.

He spent his time chiefly, if not altogether, in the Lord's work and fervice, vifiting Friends up and down in England, Vales, Scotland, Barbadoes, NewEngland, Long and Rhode Island, New-York, and New-Jerfey; but in Ireland in a more peculiar manner, both at his firft entrance upon his miniftry, and alfo of later years: for he married, and chiefly refided in Ireland about seven years before his decease. He was very valiant for truth, not only in preaching, but fuffering for it; and at firft, he with many faithful brethren, underwent many dangers and hardships, Ireland not being fully inhabited, fo that he was many times expofed to great dangers, by waters, cold, hunger, and in prifon often, befides other great abufes he received for his teftimony's fake.

i

The like may be faid concerning his travels in NewEngland, with the islands and wilderness places where he accompanied G. Fox, and was wonderfully preferved through all thofe perils. He was a valiant in Ifrael, who never fhrunk in the times of the greatest trials, fufferings, and ftorms of perfecution; and whereas in the year 1688, his wife being deceased, he had intended to have returned from Ireland to Cumberland, the wars and troubles approaching, he had not freedom in himself to go, but voluntarily gave himself up to stay here with Friends to take part of what fufferings might happen; and indeed he was a bleffed inftrument in the hand of the Lord for the ftrengthening and comforting of his people in those fuffering and calamitous times. It is particularly recorded of him, that in the year 1690, in his visit to Friends meetings, at a publick province-meeting, he delivered the following remarkable prophetick warning, viz. "It is now a time of great trial upon you in lofing what you have: but the time will come when you will be as greatly tried with getting wealth ;" which was foon after accomplished.

Befides a journal of his life he also published fome fmall controverfial pieces annexed thereunto, concerning the refurrection, imputative righteoufness, perfection, tithes, the call of the miniftry, baptifm, the fupper, &c. He laid down his head in peace with God and love to his people, and good-will to all mankind, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and was buried at New-Garden, being accompanied by many ancient friends and others, where his eminent and faithful fervices were commemorated by William Edmundfon.

THE

RISE AND PROGRESS

OF THE PEOPLE CALLED

QUAKERS,

IN

IRELAND.

CHAPTER III.

From the end of the troubles under King James the Second, to the passing the Act of Parliament for registering the meeting-houfes of Friends, in common with thofe of other diffenters, under the reign of King George the First, in the year 1719.

Great

plenty fucceeding the late times of devaftation and Scarcity, faithful warnings are given against the Spiritual danger thereon attending. The eminent zeal of faithful Friends of thofe days against the inordinate purfuit of worldly riches. Their zeal and prudence in the profecution of Chriftian difcipline. Some progrefs in propagating the gospel in the province of Connaught. The characters of divers minifters and

elders, deceased.

It is obfervable, that whereas this year, 1692, there had been fome application made to the parliament in England, in order that the folemn declaration of the people called Quakers might be accepted in ftead of an oath, an epiftle of caution was fent in behalf of friends of this nation to the Meeting for Sufferings in London, defiring that only the form of Christ's own words, Yea and Nay, might be kept to if poffible; fo VOL. III.

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