availingly to lift up a finger in the cause of enemy of my soul's peace and welfare, perTruth. I may tell thee, that I have had no ceive that his power of darkness was broken little experience of the long-suffering loving- in upon, by the dawning of the day-spring kindness that has followed and been with me, from on high, and that he, the god of this even as long as I can remember, unto this world, could no longer keep me in blindness day; through many difficulties, discourage- and bondage to himself, and thus prevent the ments, dangers, distresses, and what if I add light of the glorious gospel of Christ from efdeaths, (for he that liveth in pleasure is dead fectually and availingly shining in my heart; while he liveth.) When it pleased Him, whom than he, as it were, assumed the appearance to know is life eternal, to reveal his Son in of an angel of light; and thus he laid a more me, (for "no man knoweth the Father but the subtle snare and gilded bait for my poor weary Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will re- soul, than even I had known before. For the veal him," when it pleased Him, in whom unwearied adversary observing, that through are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowl- the precious powerful visitation of the Aledge, to give me an understanding that I might mighty, my mind was quickened and awakknow him that is true, then it was I was given ened to a lively sense of the exceeding sinfulto see that "God resisteth the proud, and givethness of sin, began himself to set me at work grace to the humble," that "the secret of the to recover from it; which indeed can only be Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant, the meek also will he guide in judgment, and the meek he will teach his way." But I found that these things were and are hid from the wise and prudent of this world, and that the Scribes and Pharisees of this day, as in old time, are spoken unto in parables; because they looking see not, and listening hear not, neither do they understand; so also they ask and receive not, for the same reason, even because they ask amiss; and they look with that eye of reason which can never see, and listen with that ear of pride, prejudice, or passion, which is shut out from any capacity to hear the things which God hath prepared for them that seek him. So that of all things I was very solicitous, that I might have mine eye rightly anointed with the eye-salve of the kingdom, and be sent to the pool of Siloam; for I met with many whose eyes had been touched, and they seemed satisfied with seeing men only as trees walking, and others who, not having known the scales of mistaken zeal removed from their eyes, were going about seeking some one to lead them by the hand. But surely blessed are the eyes that see things as they really are, in regard to religious truths, and those ears that hear, and who hearing, obey Him that speaketh from heaven; these I considered to be the babes, to whom these truths are revealed, and to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom; whose ears are not dull of hearing, nor their eyes have they closed, neither have they hardened their hearts; nor are they the stiff-necked generation, that do always resist the Holy Ghost: but unto them is given the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the eyes of their understanding being enlightened by Him, who said, "I am the light of the world," and who told his disciples that he would be with them even to the end of the world.

Now mark, my friend, no sooner did the
VOL. VI.-No. 12.

begun, carried on, and accomplished by God, through faith in the operation of the Spirit of his Son, Christ Jesus; who remains to be the only sacrifice for sin, and Saviour from sin, and sanctifier of sinners. And now being little by little led and enticed to try, in my own will, wisdom and way, to get to heaven; and having let in the reasoner, the serpent, in this his refined transformation, I soon forgot that it is not to be attained by works of righte ousness, which we can do or have done in our own creaturely ability, strength and activity; but by an unreserved and simple submission to the forming hand of Him, who made all things good in the beginning, and who can alone restore and bring back man into the holy heavenly image, in which he was created. So that instead of being created in Christ Jesus unto good works, I, having the understanding darkened, and being alienated, in some degree, from the life of God, became vain in my imagination; and my foolish heart would be exercising itself in things too high for me in my present growth; and busying itself and wearying itself with my own conceivings, speak ing evil, or at least thinking lightly of things, which as yet I knew not. Thus, though I professed myself wise in the knowledge of religious truths, I became foolish. For all the fine show of doctrines, and of duties, and of ordinances, and of prayers in the market places, and as it were in the corners of the streets, and in the synagogues, and the giving of one's body to be burnt, and one's goods to the poor, or such of these great performances as were not the product of his holy aid and influence renewedly extended in the time of need,-were found to be but at best a hindrance to the free course of that well-spring and water of life, which had been opened within me. Although through the delusion and deceit of the enemy, I was thus tempted to build a very Babel of doctrines, heaping

56

pleased,—not desiring to have every thing all at once cleared up before my view,—not seeking great things for myself in any sense,—but only longing for a seat, if it might be the very lowest at his spiritual supper, or even to partake of the crumbs that might fall from his table,-willing also to fast long, if it so pleased Him, until the times of refreshing should come from his presence,-how was and is my safety, my sure standing, my strength, my salvation, known and felt to be wrought out, even with fear and trembling. For here in this lowly valley, where self was of no reputation, and the bleak gales passed over, and cut not the tender plant, the quiet habitation was known, the still small voice was distinctly heard, which said, "This is the way, walk in it." I then knew my peace made and daily kept; even a holy assurance was given me, a holy confidence and repose, as in the arms of a faithful Creator,-agreeably to the language of the prophet, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." Here was communion and union with the Father and Fountain of mercies experienced; joy such as no man could take from me; a peace which passeth the natural understand. ing, and a holy heavenly fellowship as with the just of all generations. Here I could call God Father, because he had sent forth the Spirit of his Son into my heart, and I had received the spirit of adoption, whereby I could cry, Abba, Father. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are his sons. How precious is this passive, patient, submissive state of mind,-a giving up of all into His holy care and keeping,-a resigning of our own wills, wisdom, and the workings of our own spirits and nature, to be melted down, and moulded into accordance with His divine and glorious nature and image. Thus are we alone true witnesses and partakers of the first resurrection,-over such the second death hath no power; that part in us which is to die, being crucified, dead, and buried, according to the apostle's testimony, where he says, "knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." How clearly, even with unclouded clearness, were things opened to me whilst in this state and condition; or rather how was my mind pre

up scripture upon scripture, text upon text, to support my fabric of confusion; and although I was very zealous in searching into these things in my own spirit and strength, (not withstanding it is written, "No man knoweth the things of God, but by the spirit of God," and no man can rightly and really own Jesus to be the Lord, but by his Holy Spirit ;)-yet in the midst of all this departure from the fountain of living waters, and this hewing out broken cisterns, that cannot receive or retain the water of life, I was not altogether left desolate; but the Lord regarded the integrity of my heart towards Him, even in those very performances and high profession, which displeased Him. Again and again he was pleased in unutterable mercy, to make known unto me that way, which he would have his singlehearted, simple, lowly babes to walk in-no galley with oars, neither gallant ships could pass that way;-nothing that was high or lofty, or lifted up, however secretly, in its own estimation,-nothing of self, or of that wisdom which is foolishness with God, and which he will utterly confound and destroy, and by which the world never knew neither can know Him. I found all my own strivings, and the strugglings of the will of the creature, could not carry me one step forward in the narrow way; neither was I able by taking thought to add one cubit to my stature, in a religious sense; for I then saw it was not of him that willeth, neither of him that runneth, but of God and his grace, that cast up day by day the holy highway before my view,-giving me the strength sufficient, and the sustenance that was meet, and that degree of satisfaction, in regard to religious truths, which was best for me. And in that day, as also even to this very hour, the language often was to me,-"I have yet many things to say unto thee, but thou canst not bear them now." But as I came from the feet of Gamaliel, to sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus, and to be taught by Him in his inward and spiritual appearance, (who is said to be the wisdom of God, and teacheth as never man taught, speaking with authority and not as the Scribes,)-I found that this Minister of ministers, did more for me as to the true and saving knowledge of Himself, and the things relating to his kingdom, than any man or book whatever. He (as his servant the apostle Paul said,) fed me pared and qualified (through a being clothed with milk; and as I grew to riper years, in a spiritual sense, he gave me stronger meat. I found Him no hard master, nor austere man, requiring more of me than He had given strength to perform. In this humble, simple state, resting in the Lord, and waiting patiently for him, not stirring up nor attempting to awake him whom my soul loved before he

with humility, and the meek and quiet spirit, and by a daily waiting on the Lord for a renewal of spiritual strength,) to comprehend, apply, and attain unto the blessed commandments, injunctions, and instructions left on record in the Scriptures of Truth. The Psalmist said to this effect; "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy

CHAPTER XI.

as we may be animated and comforted by the mutual faith one of another, it seemed as [IN the autumn of this year, 1824, he vi- though it would be so to me, to address thee sited Malvern for the benefit of his health.] at this time, even in the love of our common Ninth month 9th, 1824.-At Worcester Father; who brought us acquainted with each meeting. The Lord gave me some service in other, and who knit us together in His blessed a private way these two days, though at L fellowship, and hath preserved us in the Truth I was much shut up. There is cause to re- to this day, so that we are members one of member how my mind was opened and en- another. I am persuaded, that nothing shall livened at this time, in a feeling of the good be permitted to shake our faith, or separate Hand that had been over me, in days that were us from his love, as we continue to be conlong passed; and how I was enabled to re-cerned to cleave to it, in the heights as in the count to others the mercies that had been depths; but that in the end we shall be more granted, and many deliverances which the right hand of the most High had wrought for me. Surely He is ever worthy to be honoured and served!

In meeting this day, my poor soul was constrained, in the powerful feeling of gospel love, to manifest by a public exhortation and testimony, my allegiance to my God. The peace that flowed was very precious; my soul would have been content to praise Him the Giver in secret, had this been all that was required. But I must bow down before the Lord, which I was enabled to do in much resignedness, and holy fear; craving earnestly the continued favour and preservation of the Almighty, on behalf of the visited ones; the savour of the precious life vouchsafed, remains freshly with Thus did my visit close in this part of the heritage, to my humble admiration at the goodness of the Lord.

me.

Twelfth month 20th.-This day, as during many others of late, the gospel light has risen in me with much and indescribable strength; so that my poor vessel has seemed too full to contain, and I have been ready to pray, that the oil might be stayed. I have thought much of the language uttered by a worthy ancient; The Spirit that now rules in me, shall yet break forth in thousands.' I have fully seen and been assured, that the gospel day shall rise higher and higher upon the faithful; and with regard to my poor soul, that the Lord, whom I am concerned to serve and trust in, will carry me through, even to the end. The Lord be magnified, and He only,-whether by life or death.

To J. F. M.'

Marazion, 24th of First month, 1825.

My beloved friend, The hearing of your late bereavement has affected my heart, but to hear that you are, or have been, supported in calmness, is no surprise. Nor do I think to add any thing to this gift and qualification,-a resignedness to do and suffer whatever is, in the ordering of the Divine will, meted out as your lot in life. But

than conquerors through Him who gave himself for us, and is very tender of us. And though we are appointed unto such afflictions, there is a time when the eye of the soul can see in these, far more of the compassions that fail not, and of the gentle leadings of the Shepherd of Israel, than in seasons of prosperity and ease. It is in these afflictions, that we see how in love and in pity He redeems, bearing the lambs as ever in His bosom; so that under a sense of these things, we are con strained, like the prophet, to "make mention of the loving-kindnesses of the Lord and his praises, according to all that the Lord hath be stowed on us, and His great goodness." Dearly beloved, what a fine thing it is to be able to look beyond all outward things, and to feel that our rest is not in this frail passing scene; but that we are bound for a glorious state, and are continually wrestling for an advancement in the way which leads to it; none of the tribulations we meet with, can then move us away from the joyful hope set before us, nor deprive us of that, upon which alone we can place our hearts. This is the language and experience of the faithful in all ages, and what is taught the least scholar in the school of Christ. And though there may be many, many seasons, when we cannot sensibly get at this measure of experience; yet the lowest smallest grain of true faith, that was ever yet permitted or dispensed to the upright, brings with it a sufficient "evidence of things not seen," to support and preserve from condemnation and despair.

Many, no doubt, continue to be thy discouragements, independent of this late source of trial. O! dear brother, be animated,-put on strength in the name of the Most High God; who is surely with thee, and will help thee, in every hour of need, and enable thee to rise over all that would keep thee down,—over all that would oppress his own precious life in thee. There is work for such as thou art, up and down in the earth, and in this part too, where there is much seed sown, and in ground prepared for its reception. I hope you and others, often strengthen one another's hands in