CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND, AND
How it is to be maintained.
By JOHN WOOLMAN
And the Remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many People, as the
Dew from the Lord, as the Showers upon the Grass, that tarrieth not for Man,
nor waiteth for the Sons of Men, Micah v. 7.
LONDON:
Re-printed by Mary Hinde.
Re-printed by Mary Hinde.
THE INTRODUCTION
As Mankind from one Parent are divided into many
Families, and as Trading to Sea is greatly increased within a few Ages past;
amidst this extended Commerce how necessary is it that the professed Followers
of Christ keep sacred his Holy Name, and be employed about Trade and Traffick
no farther than Justice and Equity evidently accompanies? That we may give no
just Cause of Offence to any, however distant, or unable to plead their own
Cause; and may continually keep in View the Spreading of the true and saving
Knowledge of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, amongst our Fellow Creatures, which
through his infinite Love some feel to be more precious than any other Treasure.[Pg 180]
CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND &c.
CHAPTER I
On serving the Lord in our outward Employments
Under the humbling Dispensations of the Father of
Mercies, I have felt an inward Labour for the Good of my Fellow Creatures, and
a Concern that the Holy Spirit, which alone can restore Mankind to a State of
true Harmony, may with Singleness of Heart be waited for and followed.
I trust there are many under that Visitation,
which if faithfully attended to, will make them quick of Understanding in the
Fear of the Lord, and qualify with Firmness to be true Patterns of the Christian
Life, who in Living and Walking may hold forth an Invitation to others, to come
out of the Entanglements of the Spirit of this World.
And that which I feel first to express is, a Care
for those who are in Circumstances, which appear difficult, with respect to
supporting their Families in a Way answerable to pure Wisdom, that they may not
be discouraged, but remember that in humbly obeying the Leadings of Christ, he
owneth us as his Friends, Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command
you; and to be a Friend to Christ, is to be united to him, who hath all
Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her sucking Child,
yet will he not forget his faithful Ones.[Pg 182]
The Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath
often affected me with a Brotherly Sympathy, attended with a Desire that
Resignation may be laboured for; and where the Holy Leader directeth to a
Country Life, or some Change of Employ, he may be faithfully followed; for,
under the refining Hand of the Lord, I have seen that the Inhabitants of some
Cities are greatly increased through some Branches of Business which the Holy
Spirit doth not lead into, and that being entangled in these Things, tends to
bring a Cloud over the Minds of People convinced of the Leadings of this Holy
Leader, and obstructs the coming of the Kingdom of Christ on Earth as it is in
Heaven.
Now if we indulge a Desire to imitate our
Neighbours in those Things which harmonise not with the true Christian
Walking, these Entanglements may hold fast to us, and some, who in an awakening
Time, feel tender Scruples, with respect to their Manner of Life, may look on
the Example of others more noted in the Church, who yet may not be refined from
every Degree of Dross; and by looking on these Examples, and desiring to
support their Families in a Way pleasant to the natural Mind, there may be
Danger of the Worldly Wisdom gaining Strength in them, and of their Departure
from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if faithfully attended to, would teach
Contentment in the Divine Will, even in a very low Estate.
One formerly speaking on the Profitableness of
true Humility saith, "He that troubles not himself with anxious Thoughts
for more than is necessary, lives little less than the Life of Angels, whilst
by a Mind content with little, he imitates their want of nothing." Cave's
Prim. Christi. Page 31.
"It is not enough," says Tertullian,
"that a Christian be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be
so: A Virtue of which he should have so great a Store, that it should flow from
his Mind upon his Habit, and break from the Retirements of his Conscience, into
the Superficies of his Life." Same Book, Page 43.
"The Garments we wear," says Clemens,
"ought to[Pg 183] be mean and
frugal—that is true Simplicity of Habit, which takes away what is vain and
superfluous, that the best and most solid Garment, which is the farthest from
Curiosity." Page 49.
Though the Change from Day to Night, is by a
Motion so gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet when Night is come we behold
it very different from the Day; and thus as People become wise in their own
Eyes, and prudent in their own Sight, Customs rise up from the Spirit of this
World, and spread by little, and little, till a Departure from the Simplicity
that there is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as Light from Darkness, to
such who are crucified to the World.
Our Holy Shepherd, to encourage his Flock in
Firmness and Perseverance, reminds them of his Love for them; As the Father
hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my Love. And in another
Place graciously points out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into
unsuitable Employments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from
that useful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper,
names the right Hand; If thy right Hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it
from thee—If thou feelest Offence in thy Employment, humbly follow him who
leads into all Truth, and is a strong and faithful Friend to those who are
resigned to him.
Again, he points out those Things which appearing
pleasant to the natural Mind, are not best for us, in the Similitude of Offence
from the Eye; If thy right Eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from
thee. To pluck out the Eye, or cut off the Hand, is attended with sharp
Pain; and how precious is the Instruction which our Redeemer thus opens to us,
that we may not faint under the most painful Trial, but put our Trust in him,
even in him who sent an Angel to feed Elijah in the Wilderness; who fed
a Multitude with a few Barley Loaves, and is now as attentive to the Wants of
his People as ever.
The Prophet Isaiah represents the
unrighteous Doings of the Israelites toward the Poor, as the Fruits of
an effeminate Life; As for my People, Children are their[Pg 184] Oppressors, and
Women rule over them: What mean ye, that ye beat my People to pieces, and grind
the Faces of the Poor? saith the Lord God. Then he mentions the Haughtiness of the Daughters of Sion,
and enumerates many Ornaments, as Instances of their Vanity; to uphold which,
the Poor were so hardly dealt with, that he sets forth their Poverty, their
Leanness and Inability to help themselves, in the Similitude of a Man maimed by
Violence, or beaten to pieces, and forced to endure the painful Operation of
having his Face gradually worn away in the manner of grinding.
And I may here add, that at Times, when I have
felt true Love open my Heart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being engaged in
weighty Conversation in the Cause of Righteousness, the Instructions I have
received under these Exercises, in Regard to the true Use of the outward Gifts
of God, have made deep and lasting Impressions on my Mind.
I have here beheld, how the Desire to provide
Wealth, and to uphold a delicate Life, hath grievously entangled many, and been
like Snares to their Offspring; and tho' some have been affected with a Sense
of their Difficulties, and appeared desirous, at Times, to be helped out of
them; yet for want of abiding under the humbling Power of Truth, they have
continued in these Entanglements; for in remaining conformable to this World,
and giving Way to a delicate Life, this expensive Way of living, in Parents,
and in Children, hath called for a large Supply, and in answering this Call the
Faces of the Poor have been ground away, and made thin through hard Dealing.
There is Balm, there is a Physician; and O what
Longings do I feel! that we may embrace the Means appointed for our Healing,
know that removed which now ministers Cause for the Cries of many People to
ascend to Heaven against their Oppressors, and that we may see the true Harmony
restored.
Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for
Brethren to dwell together in Unity. The Nature of this Unity is thus opened by the Apostle; If we walk in
the Light, as Christ[Pg 185] is in the Light,
we shall have Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse
us from all Sin.
The Land may be polluted with innocent Blood,
which like the Blood of Abel may cry to the Almighty; but those who walk
in the Light, as Christ is in the Light, they know the Lamb of God, who
taketh away Sin.
Walking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture,
to represent our Journey thro' Life, and appears to comprehend the various
Affairs and Transactions properly relating to our being in this World.
Christ being the Light, dwells always in the
Light; and if our walking be thus, and in every Affair and Concern we
faithfully follow this Divine Leader, he preserves from giving just Cause for
any to quarrel with us: And where this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept
to, by Families conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts
in Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness in
this World; and then we may experience the Goodness, and Pleasantness of
dwelling together in Unity; but where Ways of Living take place, which tend to
Oppression, and in the Pursuit of Wealth, People do that to others which they
know would not be acceptable to themselves, either in exercising an absolute
Power over them, or otherwise laying on them unequitable Burdens; here a Fear
lest that Measure should be meted to them, which they have measured to others,
incites a Care to support that by Craft and cunning Devices which stands not on
the firm Foundation of Righteousness: Thus the Harmony of Society is broken,
and from hence Commotions and Wars do frequently arise in the World.
Come out of Babylon my People, that ye be not Partakers of her
Sins, and that ye receive not of her Plagues. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This Babel,
or Babylon, was built in the Spirit of Self-exaltation: Let us build
us a City and a Tower, whose Top may reach to Heaven, and let us make us a Name.
Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and following a selfish
Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand of their Fellow Creatures,
privately meditate on Means to obtain their Ends, have a Language[Pg 186] in their Hearts which is hard to understand. In Babel
the Language is confounded.
This City is represented as a Place of Business,
and those employed in it, as Merchants of the Earth: The Merchants of the
Earth are waxed rich through the Abundance of her Delicacies. Rev. xviii.
3.
And it is remarkable in this Call, that the
Language from the Father of Mercies is, my People, Come out of Babylon my
People. Thus his tender Mercies are toward us in an imperfect State; and as
we faithfully attend to the Call, the Path of Righteousness is more and more
opened; Cravings, which have not their Foundation in pure Wisdom, more and more
cease; and in an inward Purity of Heart, we experience a Restoration of that
which was lost at Babel, represented by the inspired Prophet in the returning
of a pure Language. Zeph. iii. 9.
Happy for them who humbly attend to the Call, Come
out of Babylon my People. For though in going forth we may meet with
Trials, which for a Time may be painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and
continue in it, an Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning
us from all that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where
all our Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And an Exercise of Spirit attends
me, that we who are convinced of the pure Leadings of Truth, may bow in the
deepest Reverence, and so watchfully regard this Leader, that many who are
grievously entangled in a Wilderness of vain Customs, may look upon us and be
instructed. And O that such who have Plenty of this World's Goods, may be
faithful in that with which they are entrusted! and Example others in the true Christian
Walking.
Our blessed Saviour, speaking on Worldly
Greatness, compares himself to one waiting and attending on a Company at Dinner;
Whether is greater, he that sitteth at Meat or he that serveth? Is not he
that sitteth at Meat? But I am amongst you as he that serveth. Luke xxii.
27.
Thus in a World greatly disordered, where Men
aspiring to outward Greatness were wont to oppress others to support their
Designs, he who was of the highest Descent,[Pg 187] being the Son of
God, and greater than any amongst the greatest Families of Men, by his Example
and Doctrines foreclosed his Followers from claiming any Shew of outward
Greatness, from any supposed Superiority in themselves, or derived from their
Ancestors.
He who was greater than Earthly Princes, was not
only meek and low of Heart, but his outward Appearance was plain and lowly, and
free from every Stain of the Spirit of this World.
Such was the Example of our blessed Redeemer, of
whom the beloved Disciple said, He that saith he abideth in him, ought also
to walk even as he walked.
John Bradford, who suffered Martyrdom under Queen Mary, wrote a
Letter to his Friends out of Prison, a short Time before he was burnt, in which
are these Expressions; "Consider your Dignity as Children of God, and
Temples of the Holy Ghost, and Members of Christ, be ashamed therefore to
think, speak, or do any Thing unseemly, for God's Children, and the Members of
Christ." Fox's Acts and Mon. Page 1177.
CHAPTER II
On the Example of CHRIST
As my Mind hath been brought into a Brotherly
Feeling with the Poor, as to the Things of this Life, who are under Trials in
regard to getting a Living in a Way answerable to the Purity of Truth; a Labour
of Heart hath attended me, that their Way may not be made difficult through the
Love of Money in those who are tried with plentiful Estates, but that they with
Tenderness of Heart may sympathize with them.
It was the Saying of our blessed Redeemer, Ye
cannot serve God and Mammon. There is a deep Feeling of the Way of Purity,
a Way in which the Wisdom of the World hath no Part, but is opened by the
Spirit of Truth, and is called the Way of Holiness; a Way in which the
Traveller is employed in watching unto Prayer; and the outward Gain we get in
this Journey is considered as a Trust committed to us, by him who formed and
supports the World; and is the rightful Director of the Use and Application of
the Product of it.
Now except the Mind be preserved chaste, there is
no Safety for us; but in an Estrangement from true Resignation, the Spirit of
the World casts up a Way, in which Gain is many Times principally attended to,
and in which there is a selfish Application of outward Treasures.
How agreeable to the true Harmony of Society, is
that Exhortation of the Apostle? Look not every Man on his own Things, but
every Man also on the Things of others. Let this Mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus.
A Person in outward Prosperity may have the Power
of obtaining Riches, but the same Mind being in him which is in Christ Jesus,
he may feel a Tenderness of Heart towards those of low Degree; and instead of
setting[Pg 189] himself above
them, may look upon it as an unmerited Favour, that his Way through Life is
more easy than the Way of many others; may improve every Opportunity of leading
forth out of those Customs which have entangled the Family; employ his Time in
looking into the Wants of the poor Members, and hold forth such a perfect
Example of Humiliation, that the pure Witness may be reached in many Minds; and
the Way opened for a harmonious walking together.
Jesus Christ, in promoting the Happiness of
others, was not deficient in looking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity,
nor did he save any Thing to render himself honourable amongst Men, which might
have been of more Use to the weak Members in his Father's Family; of whose
Compassion towards us I may now speak a little. He who was perfectly happy in
himself, moved with infinite Love, took not upon him the Nature of Angels,
but our imperfect Natures, and therein wrestled with the Temptations which
attend us in this Life; and being the Son of him who is greater than Earthly
Princes, yet became a Companion to poor, sincere-hearted Men; and though he
gave the clearest Evidence that Divine Power attended him, yet the most
unfavourable Constructions were framed by a self-righteous People; those
Miracles represented as the Effect of a diabolical Power, and Endeavours used
to render him hateful, as having his Mission from the Prince of Darkness; nor
did their Envy cease till they took him like a Criminal, and brought him to
Trial. Though some may affect to carry the Appearance of being unmoved at the
Apprehension of Distress, our dear Redeemer, who was perfectly sincere, having
the same human Nature which we have, and feeling, a little before he was
apprehended, the Weight of that Work upon him, for which he came into the
World, was sorrowful even unto Death; here the human Nature struggled to
be excused from a Cup so bitter; but his Prayers centered in Resignation, Not
my Will but thine be done. In this Conflict, so great was his Agony, that Sweat
like Drops of Blood fell from him to the Ground.
Behold now, as foretold by the Prophet, he is in a[Pg 190] judicial Manner numbered with the
Transgressors! Behold him as some poor Man of no Reputation, standing
before the High Priest and Elders, and before Herod and Pilate,
where Witnesses appear against him, and he mindful of the most gracious Design
of his Coming, declineth to plead in his own Defence, but as a Sheep that is
dumb before the Shearer, so under many Accusations, Revilings, and
Buffetings, remained silent. And though he signified to Peter, that he
had Access to Power sufficient to overthrow all their outward Forces; yet
retaining a Resignation to suffer for the Sins of Mankind, he exerted not that
Power, but permitted them to go on in their malicious Designs, and pronounce
him to be worthy of Death, even him who was perfect in Goodness; thus in his
Humiliation his Judgment was taken away, and he, like some vile Criminal, led
as a Lamb to the Slaughter. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable Pilate
was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally looked upon him as a
Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching Punishment as a just Judgment upon
him; They esteemed him smitten of God and afflicted. So great had been
the Surprize of his Disciples, at his being taken by armed Men, that they forsook
him, and fled; thus they hid their Faces from him, he was despised, and by
their Conduct it appeared as though they esteemed him not.
But contrary to that Opinion, of his being smitten
of God and afflicted, it was for our Sakes that he was put to Grief; he
was wounded for our Transgressions; he was bruised for our Iniquities;
and under the Weight of them manifesting the deepest Compassion for the
Instruments of his Misery, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of
Affliction, with an unconquerable Patience, cried out, Father, forgive them,
they know not what they do!
Now this Mind being in us, which was in Christ
Jesus, it removes from our Hearts the Desire of Superiority, Worldly Honour, or
Greatness; a deep Attention is felt to the Divine Counsellor, and an ardent
Engagement to promote, as far as we may be enabled, the Happiness of Mankind
universally: This State, where every Motion from a selfish Spirit yieldeth to
pure Love, I may, with[Pg 191] Gratitude to the
Father of Mercies acknowledge, is often opened before me as a Pearl to dig
after; attended with a living Concern, that amongst the many Nations and
Families on the Earth, those who believe in the Messiah, that he was
manifested to destroy the Works of the Devil, and thus to take away the
Sins of the World, may experience the Will of our Heavenly Father, may
be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Strong are the Desires I often feel,
that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and the Believers in Christ
may so abide in the pure inward Feeling of his Spirit, that the Wisdom from
above may shine forth in their Living, as a Light by which others may be
instrumentally helped on their Way, in the true harmonious Walking.
CHAPTER III
On Merchandizing
Where the Treasures of pure Love are opened, and
we obediently follow him who is the Light of Life, the Mind becomes chaste; and
a Care is felt, that the Unction from the Holy One may be our Leader in every
Undertaking.
In being crucified to the World, broken off from
that Friendship which is Enmity with God, and dead to the Customs and Fashions
which have not their Foundation in the Truth; the Way is prepared to Lowliness
in outward Living, and to a Disintanglement from those Snares which attends the
Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so situated that
Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a Restraint from proceeding
farther than he owns their Proceeding; being convinced that we are not our
own, but are bought with a Price, that none of us may live to ourselves, but to
him who died for us, 2 Cor. v. 15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep
to a moderate Advance and Uprightness in their Dealings; but to consider the
Tendency of their Proceeding; to do nothing which they know would operate
against the Cause of universal Righteousness; and to keep continually in View
the Spreading of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ amongst Mankind.
The Prophet Isaiah spake of the gathered
Church, in the Similitude of a City, where many being employed were all
preserved in Purity; They shall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of
the Lord, and thou shalt be called sought out, a City not forsaken, Isa.
lxiii. 10. And the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's
Sufferings, exhorts, Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation, 1 Pet. i.
15. There is a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so
foreign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in the[Pg 193] Similitude of one Man pushing another with a
warlike Weapon; There is that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword,
Prov. xii. 18. Now in all our Concerns it is necessary that the Leading of the
Spirit of Christ be humbly waited for, and faithfully followed, as the only
Means of being preserved chaste as an Holy People, who in all Things are
circumspect, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing we do may carry the Appearance
of Approbation of the Works of Wickedness, make the Unrighteous more at Ease in
Unrighteousness, or occasion the Injuries committed against the Oppressed to be
more lightly looked over.
Where Morality is kept to, and supported by the
Inhabitants of a Country, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals
amongst them, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed
openly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to Shame,
their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the Jews shortly
before their State was broke up by the Chaldeans, is described by their
Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were connected together in Wickedness
they strengthened one another, and grew confident; Were they ashamed when
they had committed Abominations? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could
they blush, Jer. vi. 15, on which Account the Lord thus expostulates with
them, What hath my Beloved to do in my House, seeing she hath wrought
Lewdness with many, and the Holy Flesh is passed from thee; when thou doest
Evil, then thou rejoicest, Jer. xi. 15.
Now the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and
thirst after Righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on
Earth as it is in Heaven, he teacheth them to be quick of Understanding in his
Fear, and to be very attentive to the Means he may appoint for promoting pure
Righteousness in the Earth; and as Shame is due to those whose works manifestly
operate against the gracious Design of his Sufferings for us, a Care lives on
their Minds that no wrong Customs however supported may bias their Judgments,
but that they may humbly abide under the Cross, and be preserved in a[Pg 194] Conduct which may not contribute to strengthen
the Hands of the Wicked in their Wickedness, or to remove Shame from those to
whom it is justly due. The Coming of that Day is precious, in which we
experience the Truth of this Expression, The Lord our Righteousness,
Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be made unto us Wisdom and Sanctification.
The Example of a righteous Man is often looked at
with Attention. Where righteous Men join in Business, their Company gives
Encouragement to others; and as one Grain of Incense deliberately offered to
the Prince of this World, renders an Offering to God in that State
unacceptable; and from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be injurious to
the Weak; it requires deep Humility of Heart, to follow him faithfully, who
alone gives sound Wisdom, and the Spirit of true Discerning; and O how
necessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession!
The Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of
Complaint against them; Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude
of thine Iniquities, by the Iniquity of thy Traffick, Ezek. xxviii. 18, and
in several Places it is charged against Israel, that they had polluted
the Holy Name.
The Prophet Isaiah represents inward
Sanctification in the Similitude of being purged from that which is Fuel for
Fire; and particularly describes the outward Fruits, brought forth by those who
dwell in this inward Holiness; They walk righteously, and speak uprightly.
By walking he represents the Journey through Life, as a righteous
Journey; and by speaking uprightly, seems to point at that which Moses
appears to have had in View, when he thus express'd himself; Thou shall not
follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to decline after many to
wrest Judgment, Exod. xxiii. 2.
He goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity;
representing them as Persons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which
have not Righteousness for their Foundation; They despise the Gain of
Oppressions: And further shews how careful they are that no Prospects of
Gain may induce them to become partial in Judgment respecting[Pg 195] an Injury; They shake their Hands from holding
Bribes.
Again, where any Interest is so connected with shedding
Blood, that the Cry of innocent Blood goes also with it; he points out their
Care to keep innocent Blood from crying against them, in the Similitude of a
Man's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; They stop
their Ears from hearing Blood: And where they know that Wickedness is
committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded Friendship
with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on, but as People so
deeply affected with Sorrow, that they cannot endure to stand by and behold it;
this he represents in the Similitude of a Man shutting his Eyes from seeing
Evil.
Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring Fire?
Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh
righteously and speaketh uprightly. He that despiseth the Gain of Oppressions,
that shaketh his Hands from holding of Bribes, that stoppeth his Ears from
hearing of Blood, and shutteth his Eyes from seeing Evil, Isa. xxxiii. 15.
He proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how
the Faithful, being supported under Temptations, would be preserved from that
Defilement that there is in the Love of Money; that as they who in a reverent
Waiting on God, feel their Strength renewed, are said to mount upward;
so here their Preservation from the Snare of unrighteous Gain, is represented
in the Likeness of a Man, borne up above all crafty, artful Means of getting
the Advantage of another; They shall dwell on high; and points out the
Stability and Firmness of their Condition; His Place of Defence shall be the
Munition of Rocks; and that under all the outward Appearances of Loss, in
denying himself of gainful Profits for Righteousness Sake, yet through the Care
of him who provides for the Sparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his
infinite Wisdom; Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. And
as our Saviour mentions the Sight of God to be attainable by the Pure in
Heart, so here the Prophet pointed out, how in true Sanctification the[Pg 196] Understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable
harmonious Nature of his Kingdom; thine Eyes shall see the King in his
Beauty: And that looking beyond all the Afflictions which attend the
Righteous, to a Habitation eternal in the Heavens, they with an eye
divinely open shall behold the Land that is very far off.
He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall
be the Munition of Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure.
Thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is
very far off, Isa. xxxiii. 16.
I often remember, and to me the Subject is awful,
that the great Judge of all the Earth doeth that which is right, and that he, before
whom the Nations are as the Drop of a Bucket, is no Respecter of Persons.
Happy for them, who like the inspired Prophet, in the Way of his Judgments
wait for him, Isa. xxvi. 8.
When we feel him to sit as a Refiner with Fire,
and know a Resignedness wrought in us, to that which he appoints for us, his
Blessing in a very low Estate, is found to be more precious than much outward
Treasure in those Ways of Life, where the Leadings of his Spirit are not
followed.
The Prophet in a Sight of a divine Work amongst
many People, declared in the Name of the Lord, I will gather all Nations and
Tongues, and they shall come and see my Glory, Isa. lxvi. 18. And again, from
the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great
amongst the Gentiles, and in every Place Incense shall be offered to my
Name, and a pure Offering, Malachi i. 11.
Behold here how the Prophets had an inward Sense
of the Spreading of the Kingdom of Christ; and how he was spoken of as one who
should take the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the utmost Parts of the
Earth for his Possession, Psal. ii. 8. That he was given for a Light to
the Gentiles; and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, Isa. xlix.
6.
When we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of
Ages; a Work that the Prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on
Earth, and remember the bitter Agonies he endured when he poured out his
Soul unto[Pg 197] Death, that the Heathen Nations, as well as others,
might come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be saved.
When we contemplate on this marvellous Work, as
that which the Angels desire to look into, 1 Pet. i. 12. And behold
People amongst whom this Light hath eminently broken forth, and who have
received many Favours from the bountiful Hand of our Heavenly Father; not only
indifferent with respect to publishing the glad Tidings amongst the Gentiles,
as yet sitting in Darkness and entangled with many Superstitions; but aspiring
after Wealth and worldly Honours, take hold of Means to obtain their Ends,
tending to stir up Wrath and Indignation, and to beget an Abhorrence in them to
the Name of Christianity. When these Things are weightily attended to,
how mournful is the Subject?
It is worthy of Remembrance, that People in
different Ages, deeply baptized into the Nature of that Work for which Christ
suffered, have joyfully offered up their Liberty and Lives for the promoting of
it in the Earth.
Policarp, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle John, having attained to
great Age, was at length sentenced to die for his Religion; and being brought
to the Fire, prayed nearly as follows, "Thou God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom I have received the Knowledge of thee! O God of the Angels
and Powers, and of every living Creature, and of all Sorts of just Men which
live in thy Presence. I thank thee, that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this
Day and this Hour to allot me a Portion among the Number of Martyrs, among the
People of Christ, unto the Resurrection of everlasting Life; among whom I shall
be received in thy Sight, this Day, as a fruitful and acceptable Sacrifice;
wherefore for all this, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee through the
everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son; to whom, with thee
and the Holy Ghost, be all Glory, World without End. Amen."
Bishop Latimer, when Sentence of Death by
Fire was pronounced against him, on Account of his Firmness in the Cause of
Religion, he said, "I thank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my
Life to this End;[Pg 198] that I may in
this Case glorify him by this Kind of Death." Fox's Acts and Mon.
936.
William Dewsbury, who had suffered much for his Religion, in his last
Sickness, encouraging his Friends to Faithfulness, made mention, like good old Jacob,
of the Loving kindness of God to him in the Course of his Life, and that
through the Power of Divine Love, he, for Christ's Sake, had joyfully entered
Prisons. See Introduction to his Works.
I mention these as a few Examples, out of many of
the powerful Operations of the Spirit of Christ, where People are fully devoted
to it, and of the ardent Longings in their Minds for the Spreading of his
Kingdom amongst Mankind. Now to those, in the present Age, who truly know Christ,
and feel the Nature of his peaceable Government opened in their Understandings,
how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to Faithfulness; that in
following this pure Light of Life, we, as Workers together with him, may
labour in that great Work for which he was offered as a Sacrifice on the Cross;
and that his peaceable Doctrines may shine through us in their real Harmony, at
a Time when the Name of Christianity is become hateful to many of the Heathen.
When Gehazi had obtained Treasures which
the Prophet under divine Direction had refused, and was returned from the
Business; the Prophet troubled at his Conduct, queried if it was a Time thus to
prepare for a specious Living.
Is it a Time to receive Money and Garments, Men
Servants and Maid Servants? The Leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy Seed for ever,
2 Kings v. 26. And O that we may lay to Heart the Condition of the present
Time, and humbly follow his Counsel, who alone is able to prepare the Way for a
true harmonious Walking amongst Mankind.
CHAPTER IV
On Divine Admonitions
Such are the Perfections of our Heavenly Father,
that in all the Dispensations of his Providence, it is our Duty, in every
Thing, to give Thanks. Though from the first Settlement of this Part of America,
he hath not extended his Judgments to the Degree of Famine, yet Worms at Times
have come forth beyond numbering, and laid waste Fields of Grain and Grass,
where they have appeared; another Kind, in great Multitudes, working out of
Sight, in Grass Ground, have so eat the Roots, that the Surface, being loosened
from the Soil beneath, might be taken off in great Sheets.
These Kind of devouring Creatures appearing
seldom, and coming in such Multitudes, their Generation appears different from
most other Reptiles, and by the Prophet were call'd God's Army sent amongst
the People, Joel ii. 25.
There have been Tempests of Hail, which have very
much destroyed the Grain where they extended. Through long Drought in Summer,
Grain in some Places hath been less than half the usual Quantity;[1]
and in the Continuance thereof, I have beheld with Attention, from Week to
Week, how Dryness from the Top of the Earth, hath extended deeper and deeper,
while the Corn and Plants have languished; and with Reverence my Mind hath been
turned towards him, who being perfect in Goodness, in Wisdom and Power, doeth
all Things right. And after long Drought, when the Sky hath grown dark with a
Collection of Matter, and Clouds like Lakes of Water hung over our Heads, from
whence the thirsty Land hath been soaked; I have at Times, with Awfulness,
beheld the vehement Operation of Lightning, made sometimes[Pg 200] to accompany these Blessings, as a Messenger from
him who created all Things, to remind us of our Duty in a right Use of those
Benefits, and give striking Admonitions, that we do not misapply those Gifts,
in which an Almighty Power is exerted, in bestowing them upon us.
When I have considered that many of our Fellow
Creatures suffer much in some Places, for want of the Necessaries of Life,
whilst those who rule over them are too much given to Luxury, and divers
Vanities; and behold the apparent Deviation from pure Wisdom amongst us, in the
Use of the outward Gifts of God; those Marks of Famine have appeared like
humbling Admonitions from him, that we might be instructed by gentle
Chastisements, and might seriously consider our Ways; remembering that the
outward Supply of Life is a Gift from our Heavenly Father, and no more venture
to use, or apply his Gifts, in a Way contrary to pure Wisdom.
Should we continue to reject those merciful
Admonitions, and use his Gifts at Home, contrary to the gracious Design of the
Giver, or send them Abroad in a Way of Trade, which the Spirit of Truth doth
not lead into; and should he whose Eyes are upon all our Ways, extend his
Chastisements so far as to reduce us to much greater Distress than hath yet
been felt by these Provinces; with what sorrow of Heart might we meditate on
that Subject, Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast
forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the Way? Thine own Wickedness
shall correct thee, and thy Backslidings shall reprove thee; know therefore,
and see that it is an evil Thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord
thy God, and that my Fear is not in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts, Jer. ii.
17, 19.
My Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, in
beholding a wrong Application of the Gifts of our Heavenly Father; and those
Expressions concerning the Defilement of the Earth have been opened to my
Understanding; The Earth was corrupt before God, and the Earth was filled
with Violence, Gen. vi. 11. Again, Isaiah xxiv. 5. The Earth also is
defiled under the Inhabitants thereof.[Pg 201]
The Earth being the Work of a Divine Power, may
not as such be accounted unclean; but when Violence is committed thereon, and
the Channel of Righteousness so obstructed, that in our Skirts are found the
Blood of the Souls of poor Innocents; not by a secret Search, but upon all
these,[2]
Jer. ii. 34.
When Blood shed unrighteously remains unatoned
for, and the Inhabitants are not effectually purged from it, when they do not
wash their Hands in Innocency, as was figured in the Law, in the Case of one
being found slain; but seek for Gain arising from Scenes of Violence and
Oppression, here the Land is polluted with Blood, Deut. xxi. 6.
Moreover, when the Earth is planted and tilled,
and the Fruits brought forth are applied to support unrighteous Purposes; here
the gracious Design of infinite Goodness, in these his Gifts being perverted,
the Earth is defiled; and the Complaint formerly uttered becomes applicable; Thou
hast made me to serve with thy Sins; thou hast wearied me with thine Iniquities,
Isaiah xliii. 24.[Pg 202]
