■*^r rfU .jrJ CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library BX7795.G85 A3 Journal of the life, travels, and labour olln 3 1924 029 465 758 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029465758 JOURNAL OF 'The LiF,E, Tr^vv/'ls, and Labours IN THE WQRK i^ THE MINISTRY, O .F JOHN GRIFFITH, Jl,ate qf j^HELMSFORD iii Erffelfx, in Great Bihtajn, formerly of Darbvi Tn Psshsyi.vasia. LONDON Printed PHILADELPHIA: Re-printeu By JOSEPH d R^U K S H A N K in Market-ftrsEf, ■between Second- and Tlrird-ftreets.st M PC? iXSX. A Testimony from the Monthly- Meeting of Witham, in Essex, CONCERNING JOHN GRIFFITH* dec. TH E charadler of this our well beloved Friend being fo generally known, we efteem it unneceffary to extend our Teftimo- ny concerning him, further than the time of his arrival, and refidence amongft us. - In the year 1 747, being a member of the monthlyriaeeting of Darby, Chefter-coun- ty, in Pennfylvania, he was cq^nc.erijed to vifit the chufches. in Great-Br|^h and Ire- land ; during.Which engagem^t^his mind was imprefled with appehenfion of duty to fettle in this nation ; the importance where- of was attended with earneft fupplication to the Lord, that he might be rightly dt^ redled therein ; and, after deliberate confide^ ration, finding the expediency of his remo- val clearly confirmed, he returned to Ame- rica, where, having fettled his affairs, with the concurrence of his brethren, he removed- to England; and enteriag into marria|j&* covenant with Frances Wyatt, of Chelnil^ ford, became a member of this meeting.; wherei|i, we truft, the fruits of his labour* afford fubftantial evidence of ablq tajeftts faithfully applied. Few were his companions- zealoufly concerned fpr the reftoration of good order, which rendered the talk more arduous; jret in regard to the exercife of difci^iucj difcipline, compared with the ftate in Which, he found it, confiderable regulation hath been effected. His gift was eminently adapted- to iervice: in mii^fy found, powerful, dncT clear j Jn difcipline, diligent and jiadieious ^ fea^rCh-* ing impartially into the ekufes whence the circulation of life was obflrudled, ■v^^hich operative cate, difturbing the falfe reft of lukewarm prof^iFors-, hath, at times, ex-» cited their difpleafure j yet beiiig rhercifully preferved froni the fpoti of the world, and. endue^ with authority to fpeafe feelihgly to the ftatesof his hearers, inittittthat proverb was remarkably verifiodj :*' \Vhen a man's " ways pleafe. the Lord^ heimaketh even *'.hi5 enemies, to be at peace witih hliili * In dmihtful cafes, he ntamjifeftisd an ex^ emplary, tendernefs and forbearance, parti- cularly i'efpecSihg fuch as appeared prefvimp- mqus xxij launching into religious engage.-*, ments above their qualification,^ being dif-* pofed to afford full opportunity for trial; obferving, upon thefe occafions, it would be moft acceptable, that deluded perfons per- ceived their error' by its effed's : but when thoroughly convinced of unfoundnefs, he faithfully difchar'ged the duty of An elder, in the application of plain-dealing,, which, indeed, was his peculiar talent ; yet ft) tem- ^red with difcretiunj both in miniftry and difcipline, th«tt we believe few have ,iij|edi thefe important ftations with more sglferai. approbation : nor were his amiable qualities confined 4 ill ) Confined' to tke iiotice af aur faw^, haviaig a-large fliare in-tkeefteem cif otiiers, 'kispei cially thofe of his neigbourhood. . ;. - Much of his, time was ^devoted |p-;plib- licl: fei-ViceiJ in confequence wfcjrpi^i ^a fofetafte of the, rewiafd ;praitiifed3 to thena who perfevere in wellnitloihg, : proved- his fubftantial - fuppprt throvigh >ai long co-urfe of painful infirmity, being ; afiedled with an afthma about fifteen years. At length Hlft difoi'der, producing a' dropfy,r ftrorig- ly indicated hii^ diflblution near; yet in this condition, he continued about^eighn months: during which feafon of deep trial, the fruits of f^'thful|iefs wer6 confpicuousi being, at intervals, :favanred with ftrength to fpeak intelligibly, ' the frame of his mind (appeared to be Centered in fweet confbiatiOin, which, in great meafurCj overcame the fenie of bodily pain, though evidently hard tobcEir. His mental faculties feetned gather en- larged in quicknefs 'of fenfibility, having frequently f exprefs thankfulnefs and ad- miration, that during this Iharp probation, . infinite gOodneis had not fuffered his mind to be clouded, but continued to lift up the light of- his countenance upon him ; under the influence whereof, his fpirit was en- gaged to encourage thofe prefent to faith- fulneis, through the happy effejS which he experienced at thia,t awful period. Diver* who affifted during his illnefs, have declared, that his patience in fuffering, kind acknowledgment of their care, and in»- ftru€tive admonitions, fo far alleviated their anxiety, (• iv % anxiety, oeicafionedby theihaspoefs of his conflid, that they .efteemed it- a favour to attend him. After a laborious winter, gradually de- clining, he quietly departed this Jife, the 17th of the 6th month, 1776, aiid was in- terred in friends burial-ground at Chelmf' ford, the 23d of the fame; aged about 63 years; a minifter about 42 years. Signed in and. on behalf of Withad| Bionthly-meeting, held at Ghelmsfqrd, the 28th of the I oth month, 1776* - :4 . Frances Griffith - Jofeph^Shelt^. Sufannah Marriage John Mayott Martha Levitt Stephen Levitt > Sufannah Mayott John Hurnard Jane Hurnard Robert Greenwood Mary Greenwood Richar^d Ofboftone Mary M^mage ThomaS Puplitt Sufannah Piayel Jofeph Marriage Sarah Levitt. John Plant Wheeler ;. r.fi John RuflTel ir;tVib Jofeph D0cwra ' jL'i Jofeph Sheltonyun. Daniel Wood. , The annexed Teflimony being read in our quarterly-meeting,, held at Coggefhall, the ^ith of the 3d month, 1777, was approve^ and £gned in and on behalf thereof, by Joseph DoGWRA, Clerk. THE THE JOUR N A L O F JOHN GRIFFITH IT hath been much upon my mind (efpecially of late) to write ibmething by way of journal, of my life, travels, and experience in the gracious anii nSferciful dealiiigs of the Lord with me, through the touiie of my pilgrimage in this world ; to-, gether with fome remarks on the Ham of dtir fbciety in my time, interljierfed ^ith divets obfervations relating to our coril^^, in various ftations of life, but chiefly in a Migioiis fenfe ; to remain, whien my body is laid in the duft, a lading memCKrial and teftimony td the truth. And as the Lord ihall be pleafed to open my underflanding, I may alfb afford profitable way-marks to' ibme weary travellers, who are feekdng it city 2 The JOURNAL OF city that hath foundations, wjiofe builder and maker is God. I was born on the 2ift day of the 5th month, 1713, in Radnorfhire, South Wales; betfeg favoured with |(^renls who had the fubftance of religion in themfelves, and were confcientioufly concerned to train up their children in the fear of God, The names of my parents were John and Amy GriiEth; my mother (as I re- member) was educated in fociety with the people called Quakers, and a fteady valua- ble friend fhe was ; having at tirhes, a few words, by way of teftimony, tenderly to drop in religious meetings, which were accept- able to friends. My father, as I have heard him relate, was convinced of the blefled truth after h^ had arived to man's eftate, and found it a great crofs to join in fociety with the defpifed Quakers; he being the onlyf x?lie of the family, which was pretty larg^, that joined in fociety with that peo- ple. 3u-t the Lord making hard things eafy to him, he gave up, in e^neft, to the heavenly difcoveries, and, in procefs of :tim€, had a difpenfation of th^ go£pel of peace and falvation commiicted to him^ wherein he laboured, in the parts where he lived, with reqaarkablp fincerity and np- rightneft ; being indeed a truly living i^i- nifter, and an hmvenly-minded maij, as I well remember, though I left him ^ when I was young, and never faw him again. He finifhed J O H N/ G R I F F IT H. 3 finifiied his courfe in ;this world, oa the 24th of the 2d mdath, in the year 1745; it is added in the rj^gifterot the month! y- meeting - to which he belonged, thus, viz. "He was a *' minifter many years, and left a good report" *' behind him among all forts of people." He was a ferviceable inftrument in the Lord's hand againfh undue liberties, , which were then creeping in ; and was very deeply affedled with the, declining flate' of the church inthofe parts (many having remo- ved to America) which fmce his deceafe are become almoll adefolation. Having thus paid a fmall tribiite, which I thought due, to the memory of my worthy ^ parents, I fhall proceed to give . an accoiint • of my felf. I was favoured with the heart-melting, vilitations of- God's love, I think, when about leven or eight years old; and fre- quently, experienped his name to be in the aflemblies of hig; people as precious oint- ment poured , forth ;" whereby my defires| were greatly railed to attend meetings for divine worlhip. For although, like Samuel of old, I was a.s yet unacquainted with the voice of God, neither did I clearly under- fland from, whence that , preciovis confola-^ tion, which I. felt, came; yet, I., well re- member fomething working powerfully in my tender weak mind, by way of oppofition to that fweet heavenly enjoyment, in order CO dci)rive me thei'eof, by prcfenting to my B view 4- The /(SURl^A^L of view fome'^trarifitbfy delightj and by fiilirlg ttiy mind' with vain uhpfbfitkble; and foi3Cie-> times wicked and blafpheEtlpvis" thoughts, v^hich were a very great affli«^ioh to mc;* Theii hejs^who was a liat from the be^ia-' nirig, would fiig^eft to thy vfeak itiihd; that ' the only way to get over' fuch uheafinefs, was to git*e way- to thofe thoughts, and' to be utterly regardlefs of what palTed through' my mind. I found the fleih wanted eafe^ and, to fave its felf, willingly jollied here- in with the temptations of Satan, whereby I got a kind of preferit e'afd; but it vfas by liich gratifications as tfendfed to heap up wrath aigainft the day of Wrath, and the re- velation of the righteous judgih^iits of CrOd; So that, notwithllanding the falfe eafec6i>^ trived by my foul's enemy, I did, at times, very fenfibly feel, as I grew up, this pekc6' difturbed, and broken by a fenfb of God's wrath, revealed from |ieaven againft my i^ii-> righteoufhefs ; arid great bitfernefs i>i fptrit- I was often in, when the chiftening oi|f.rhiSf Lord was upon me for itin. I Would, at jiich times^ enter into covenant with the^ Lord, pro^ifing amendment ; but as thofe- promifes were made much in my own will,' they were fbon broken, and that would in>-^ c^afe the weight of my hoi-ror and dif- ttefs: the Lord, in infinite mercy, being- pleafed to find me out, and to plead with' me as in the valley of decifion.^ In wri- ting this, aay mind is greatly movedr witb pity JQHN GRIFFITH. 5 pity and ,,bpwe]s of compaffion towards ii>coiifiderate youth ; yi}xo for tjie fake of triflii;ig vanities, ,flightii}g tljieir own mer- cies, are fu^jjedled to diftrefs of mind : and the c^fe is ftill worfe, when by repeated di^ obedience aflid rebellion againft God's un- merited ^grace, they have almoft ftifled his idivine witnefs in their o\yn bearts, and go on with impunity; for an awakening tinie willconae, £oon or late, which mml ftrike .all fych with horror and amaze- :i^)Qt. May it be in mercy ! lyly. godly parents were very careful to pre- vent niy falling into evil company ; nptwith- ftanding which, I. frequently, without their knowledge, found fuch, and joined them ia thofe vanities which are incident to youth; and perhaps was not a whit behind any of them therein: yet in the cool of the day, ^ I was fharply reproved for the fame ; nay ,fomctimes, in the very midll of my folly. But by, this, time I wanted to filence tha€ pure wit;ie|& againfti evil in my heart. Oh ! I haye often finqe, .with deep reverence, ; thankfully adpired the long-fufFering of a gracious God, in that he did not cut me ,ofF, when I wilfully refitted the reproof of. his inftruftion, which is the way to life, becaufe I wanted my living in the vain plea- fures of this pcrilhing world. When I was about the age of thir^eegs. years, a friend who had lived fome time in. Pennfylvania, being[ in our parts, and fre- quently 6 tiiE' jb'URNAi o^ quently at our houfe, gave a Very ple^i account ,of that country. I having two uncles aiid one aunt there, ftme of whom had before written to encourage our going over thither, " my incHnation grew very ftrorig.to go; though my parents, efpecially my father, was at firft very much againft it. But Iv was as one immoyeably b'ent for going; which when my parents faw, and that an elder brother inclined to go- with me, thejr at length cohferited thereunto, and procured a certificate of our being in unity with Friends. There' being a family of Friends, out of the compafs of our month- ly meeting", alfo going over in the fame fhip, we were delivered under their care, and in the year 1726, we embarked at Mil- ford-Haven, on board the Conftantine gal- ley of Briflol, Edward Foy matter. We had a pafTage of about eight webks from land to land. We were about eighty or ninety paffengers, generally healthy, a- mongft whom three children were bom whilft oii board, and none removed by death. My uncle, John Morgan, "who lived about 1 2 miles from the city of Phi- ladelphia, hearing of our ai-rival, came on board, and- conducfled us to hi^ own hoitfe, wh^e I tontinued for Tome time-, my bro- ther, tjeing a ^vV^feaver, fettled at my aunt Mai-y Pennel's', ■ following' his trade. RemoVih^froiTt uhder my parents watch- ful care over me, for my good, furnifhed me with great opportymity to gratify a vain mind mind, 'in 'the fodlifli amitfenients of a tra'6- fitory -world, towards -wKicH I had bur too great an inclination. But I have this to fay, in order that parents may be encoura- ged to exert their godly endeavovtrs for the prefervation of their childrfen, that I do 'ftedfaftly believe, the religious care of my parents' over me in my youth, imprelled ib great an awe upon my mind, that, through the bleffiiig of Divine Providence, it was a great- means of my prefe^rvation from grofs enormities; though I had great op- portunity of being plunged thereinto, aftef i left them. I hope ever to retain a grate- ful and thankful reiiiembrance of thofe grlcioUs prefervati'ons, when I confider, how narrowly I have efcaped thofe rocks, upon which many have been fhipwrecked and ruined. ^ - I was ibmetimes vifited, and in degree awakened to a fenfe of my undone con- dition without a Saviour, after my arrival in America, though not fo frequently as vvhen I was younger.' As I had often, oh very often! knowingly -withftbod it, my tafte for worlHly pleafures being now grown ftronger, I was very unwilling to give up to the- Call of Chrift. I could plead abund- ance of excufes, concluding among other things, that r was but young, and mi^t live a great many years'; that if I did take my fwing"a few years, I might become re- ligious fbouer than many others had done, - who .8 The JOURNAL of Vfko wepe braye men in their day. i wotild, howevep, to make myfelf the more eafy for that time, fully determine to be a very re- ligious gQod man, at one time or other ; but , it muft not be yet. Thus, throiigh the grqfs darknefs which had covered my piind, I who had no certainty of feeing the light of r one day more, was prevailed upon, by the fubtilty of .$ata.n, to run the dread- fijl hazard qf a future repentance and ameiidment of .life, xand fo begame worfe and m^ore . hardened in - evil, though ftill preferved out of grofs pollutions, or what are commonly fo efleemed; I was afraid to tell a lie, except to r embefllifh, or fet off a pkaCant or merry tale pr ftory; appre- hending it no great -crime to tell a lie in jeft. I never remember to have fworn an oath, or uttered a curfe in my life. Nor was , I ever -prevailed upon, in my cufto- mary converiacion, ; to depart from the rules of my. education, refpesfling the plain lan- guage, thee andthojn to one, and you to more than one; all this time preferving a pretty fair charadler amongft men, as none Gould charge me with any thing accounted icafldalqus. I retained much love and re- gard for thofe I thought truly religious; efpecially weighty fubftantial minifters oif the everlafting gofpel; and 1 believe had a better fenfe of their fpirits and labours, than ibme of my companions had, and therefore was afraid, to defpife or fpeak contempti- bly JOHN' G R IWFl. 1 1T. gi hly of fiidiD,'^ asr- fomc of^iiiy affbclatesfdof^ir 111 this ^jEkima^ i degeiierase ; ftate, : i rditb xom^' monly ,. in a: cxiflbnoary way, ■ attends &t(briy di-Y meetingkfr AAd ra&My had the .libdrtyr of gding.'ori other day^ of thee -iiredk, wheiii any minifters from jdiflant,. 'pacts 'jcame to.' vifit Abingtoki ibeetingi to, which! I belong^ ed: but alas! it fy^sf^to littleior no "goodl ptinpofe, 3 as 'the labotir/bellowi^ed uptxnrniei by miiiiftry rir othei-wife, wksilikewatqcfpilr: Upon a ftofie, that foon tuns dff agf^^i'teith-*; out any entraike; !• beihgiij^^dsfopfome' time, .like the . iheadb; int the' defcc,! my) mind, ir^ a ^^ degree/ fr-em the periflimg' vanities <5f aap ufidgPtaiir/WbrM, .tO!t|ie:Gm> of all fare nafercies, I inteild CD be fotjie*; what partktiiar.; One evenin|;, IjeJagi.wirij. divers of my companioni in vanityi'^'and under no reftraint^ ^as the hesads of diiEffe- mily were- mt^'ak '^6^6y- \v^j'carridd our- fifdtby v^iii ' eihver^tioni : ^m^^^oli^ rude 3<^itans, to Ja higher d^ree-;. Sssh'&h /^ii^ fiii^iofe r was as a' ringleader^lfes Oa '^ this-.aGciiunt,y;L.feit. fpme-fharp laiiiesiaf^ confciehce as I ,went to bed that night ; and a' t-hdiightfulnefs tGok hold of my mind,', that' we '/had net a^ being- in this world for.j fccth? r a' ; jp urpofe, ' or ^ to fpend onr time a s. abnve . mdntioned, .j of which I gave fome llifl£;^ta!my bed-fellow; yet this conyidiom 4idrmot fmk fo. .deep, ; ;but that; J pretty foonr gat; :tQuileep,^n 'h Jiad rnot ilept long, 'before a-,ineirerig&K alarmed -me with ,an account^i tibat 't>ne ofi»n4y jolly companions, who was thsvi ifl. the houife, and; who, I think, had been the beft :of :us^ was dying/ deilring' me |.tQi:go -immediately^ to >Mm,' which I* d(idv7- 1 ;Was eKceedingly ftruck with horror increafed beyond all e^reffion; as none of us expcifte^'he could' live .inany hours, i: For my part,' I was fo: deeply plunged into anxiety of rinind, that itifeemed'asif. the pains and terrors of hell* had-Jaid hold of me already; and.;! was then ih .full expe<3:ation therc'rwag , n-p; 4eliverajicfi for me therefrom- ; but that I jfhould die, wjth the; weight of, that diftrefs which was upoa me, before morning. This liappened on a feventh-day nights, ..and ^though the. young manJn time, recovered, , yet & was- not JO MM ORIFFITH. a hot % to be left next day, which hindered me from going to' nieeting, to which I ■WiLS exceedingly defirous to have gone^ for by this time I was pretty thoroughly awa-* tened to a fenfe of duty • arid it being a week before the like opportunity preiented to me again, it feemed the longeft week I had ever known. Oh, how did I long to prefenC myfelf before the Lord in the aflemblies of his people ! that I might ponf forth itiy in- ward cries before him, in a ftate of fincere repentance, and deep contrition of foul; which, through the efFe(flual operation of his power in my?^ heart, I Was then in a.' condition to do. Now I clearly faw, tha6 repentance is the gift of God, and that his love,, wherewith he hath loved us in Chrift Jefus our Lord, leads linners thereinto.. The 'fleflily will being, for the prefent, overcome and; filenced^ there was a givingj^ up, with . all readinefs of mind, to the Lord's requirings. There was not any thing then too near to part with for the real and fubftantial. enjoyment pf the beloved of my fciul; for ,1 was brought in degree to expe-^' 1-ience, that he came " for judgment into this *' world, that they which fee not might fee; *' and that they which feemight be made blind. J could no longer look u^pon my formet delights . with any fatisfadlibaa, but inftead thereof, had a glorious view ©£ the beauti-* ful iituation of mount Si on, arid my face was turned thitherward, and f^r the joy w^iie'h G was ■tz The JOURNAL 0f was fet before me, I was made willing to ed-"- duye " the erofs of Chrift, and to defpife the *' fliame ;" and though I became a wonder and a gazing flock to my former companions, I did not much regard it, knowing I had jxift eaufe fo to be. My great change ftruck them with fome awe, for I obferved they had not the boldnefs to mock or deride me before my face. The young man, who was an inftrumcnt in the divine hand for. my awakening, and his brother, were both greatly reached and deeply afFedled, for the prefent, by the above- mentioned wonderful viiitation, and there was a very V^ifible change in them for a time j but, like the feed that fell on the ftony ground, they withered away, and did not become fruitful to God.. I greatly rejoiced when firft day came, that I might go to meeting; which proved to me indeed a memorable one,, there being two public friends, ftrangers, lent thither, as I thought^ on my account; for molt of what they had to deliver, appeared to me applicable to my ftate. Now did I, in fome degree, experience the fubftance of what was intended, by the " baptifmof wrater *' unto repentance; the wafhing of water by *' the word; and being born of water and the '* fpirit." AH which would be fully feen, and elearly underftood, by the profeffors of Chrif- tianitgr, were they righdy acqiiainted with the " gofpel of Chrift J which is the power of God " unto^ JOHN GRIFFITH. 13 *' utjto falvation." This power, inwardly re- vealed, is alone able to work that change in, them, withovxt which, our Lord faith none ihall fb much as fee the kingdom of God. But alas! being carnal iq their minds, afpiri- tual religion doth not fuit,them ; for, as faith the fcripture, " the natural man receiveth not " the things of the fpirit of God, for they are " foolifhnefs iinto him; neither can he know " them, becaufe they are fpiritually difcern- *' ed." Hence it is, that the profeflbrs of the Chriftian name, retain figns and fhadows, whilfl the fubftance is negledled ; pleading for the continuance of types, when the antitype is but little regarded : where this latter is ex- perienced, all flaadows and types vanifli and come to an end; as did the legal types, when Chriil, the antitype, came, and intro- duced his difpenfation, which is altogether of a fpiritual nature. And, what is yet more wonderful, and an evidence of great ignorance, is, to find thofe happy and blefTed efFedls, which are only produced by the bap- tifm of Chrifl with the Holy Ghoft, attribut- ed or annexed to the ceremonies of fprinkling a little w4tSr by a prieft in a child's face : for, when that is done, the prieft prays, * that old Adam in the child may be bu^- ried ; that the new man may be raifed up in him; that all carnal affediion may die in him; and that all things belonging to the fpirit may live and grow in him.' Then he prays, that the element of water may be fan(5lified 14 The journal «i ftncflified tq the'waftiing away fm. The child is then faid to be received into the congregation of Chrift's flock, and ligned with the fign of the crofs : when this is done, they acknowledge the child to be regenerate, and grafted into the 43ody of Chrift's church, and return thanks to God, in that he hath been gleafed to regenerate that infant with his Holy Spirit, and tq receive him for his own by adoption; Concerning a child fprinfcled, they fay, * who being born in original fin, and the wi'ath of God, is now, by the laver of re- generation, in baptifrn, received into the number of the children of God, and heirs of everlafling life.' They fay, by baptifm,' viz. fprinklirig infants, that they have put on Chrift, and that they are made chil- dren of God and of the light. They hold children baptized, dying before they com- mit at3:ual fin, are undoubtedly faved j which feemeth to imply, others are not^ Being now weary of reciting thefe palpable errors, I fhall proceed with the account of my own progrefs, in the real experience of this great work of ' regeneration, or the new birth, which, I well know, is not ob- tained at fo eafy a rate as above-mentioned. This adminifiration of water by the word continued in a remarkable manner upon me, for about three months, in which I found great fetisfadlion, as it was accompaitied mth an heavenly fweetnefs, like healing JOHN GRIFFIFH. i| Ibaifam upon my woUnded fpirit ; mjjh.ea.Tt being melted before the Lord, as wax is melted before the fire. Great was my de- light in reading the holy fcriptufes, and other good books;- being favoured, at that time, •to . receive much 'comfort and im- p^rovement thereby, But this eafy melting difpenlation, was to give way to a more powerful one, that the floor might be tho- roughly purged, even the baptifm with the Holy Ghoft and fire: for the former dif^ penfation' of the Lord to my fpul feemed piuch to refemble John's baptifm with water unto repentance, as being the real thing fignified thereby, in order»to prepiare thQ way of the Lord. Under this' difpenfation I was for a time exceedingly diftrefled, in a fenfe of the great alteration I found in the ftatp of my mind ; attributing it to fome caufe given by me, that I was" thus, as I thought, forfaken. All the former tendernefs was gone, and I was as, the parched ground. My agonies were fo great, that when it was day I wiflied for night ; and when it was night I wifhed for day. In meetings for worlhip, where I had enjoyed moft fatisfacSion, I now was under th^ greateft weight of pain and diltrefs, even to that degree, at times, that I could fcarc^ly forbear crying aloud for mere agony. When; meeting was over, I ^would fometimes walk a confiderable way |Rto tlie woods j ^th^ .unheard by ^y mor- tal. iq 4HE J U U It i\ n JLi OF tal, I might, in 'mournful accents, give vent to my greatlj' diftreffed foul. In this doleful ftate of mind, the grand adverfary was permitted to pour forth floods of temp- tations. I was almoft conilantly befet with evil thoughts, which exceedingly grieved me ; for though I was in fuch a darjc dif- treffed cQudition, my mind was, by this time, too much enlightened to allow of, or join with, wicked and corrupt thoughts : yet I often judged': myfelf, and I believe at times not without caufe, being apprehen- five, I. was not eariieft enough in refilling thoie evil thoughts and temptations. But, oh ! I was exceeding weak in thofe days ; and I am perfuaded the Lord, in gracious condefcenfion, looked mercifully at the Sin- cerity of my intention, not marking all my failings, or I could not have flood before him in any degree of acceptance. Very great were my temptations, and deep my dillrefs of mind for about a year ; ia which time I was but as 'a little child in under- ftanding the way and work of God upon me, fbr my r^dtmption. Yet, he who will not break the bruited reed, nor quench the fmoaking flax, until he fends forth judgment unto vidlory, by his inTifible power, bore up my head above the rage-, jng waves of temptation,' fo that the enemy found he coiaM not overwhelm me there- with: the Loni teaching my hands to war, and. my fingeiB to fight under his banner, through JOHN*GRIFFITIi; S7 ■ li tbrough wEofe blefling and alUftailce, , I fp^nd fome degree, of vidlory over the beaft, viz;, that part whw^h faath its life in flelhly gratifications. Then began the falfe ptcH- phet to w^rk with figns and lying won- ders; in order to deceive my we^k atod xmc flciiful underftanding ; as it is written, ' Satan \& traiisformed .into an angel of light:' fo I. fowiitj hfini, at leaft in appearance. He ithat goe,s about feeking wIiqe^ be naay de- trouTj perceiving I was too much enlighten- ed from above, to be eafily drawn into fell-' Iviality, craftily attempted my deftrudlion another way, viz. by fetting hipifelf up, ■Hindifeo'vered then by m.e, for a guide in the way of moreification, which I was then re^ folved, through divine afEftanGe, to walk carefully in>, by denying myfelf in all things which, appeared inconfiftent with the di- yine will. This fubtil transform-er, tak- ing advantage of the ard'eiiCy of my mind to prefe forward in this neceffary cosicern, fuggefted that my work would be mucih eafier in obtaining a complete vi^ory over evil, were I to refrain for a time from fome of the nece&rieis of Mfe, parfiicularly. from eating, and tafci'ng my natural reft ia fleep, except juft as mucli' as wouid preferve life;- aid that I nafwife conflautly keep my hfflpi& emsployed m feujfinefs, aS^ idlei^feft. i$- the naarferys ©f vice; neit^MT' was he want- ing t0%ri'ng ferijptu-re, a^d parages ««ato£ ©ther rdlgtous treks', to Confii?ia^ thefe ue* quirini^. i& Th^ j:6 urinal dg quirings. ,1 then really believed it was tli^ voice of Chrift in my mind commanding thefe things, and therefore endeavoured to* be faithful therein, till my natural ftrength abated, and I found "my body grew much weaker thei-eby. Greatly diftreffed I was,' when at any time I fell fhort of what I apprehended to be my duty in thefe r'efpeds, he that required this fervice beifig a hard mafter^ though he had power to deceive, yet he could not give me faith that I fhould overcome. My views in thofe days were indeed very difccfuraging^ my poor afflidlpd foul being almoft funk into defpair. My friends took notice that I was in uncommon diftrefs. The family in which "I then lived, as they could not be altogether ig^ noraht, though I concealed it as much as I could, of my wandering about in the fields, &c. at nights, and muth refraining from food (my deep diftrefs being alfo very legibly imjirihted on my ~ countenance) feared, as I afterwards underftood, left I fhould be tem,pted to lay violefit hands on myfelf. I was forbid in myfelf to tell my condition to any, as that would, be feek- ing relief from without; a very' improper and unworthy thing. "Notwithftanding which, the God of all griace, who permitted this uncommon af- lliftion to fall upon rhe for a trial, and not for my deftrudlion, was pleafed, in wonder- ful kindnefs, to move upon the heart of a minifter JOHN •* fir^ JOHN GRIFFITH. 31 fire of the Lord coming d;own to prepare the offering' ; and have been almoft.ready to give up thereun||o, \«rhen a godly fear would feize my mind, and a defire yet to try it; by which means, the ftrong del ufion hath been difcovered, and the falfe fire^reje<5led. My foul hath been plunged into deeper anxiety, by this falfe heat, than I was. in before. No tongue nor pen can fet forth to the full, the deep and almojft confta,njt anguilh of my foul, for about the fpace ofe' four or five months; being as near as I can remember the time this fore afHidlion was upon me. It fared with me in fome degree, as it did with Job, refpedling my friends ; fome conjedturing one thing, ajid fome another thing, to be the caufe of this fall, as it was apprehended ; though, through mercy, they coiild not charge mef with any evil as the caufe thereof ^^r The Kioft pirobable reafon to them, of this alte- ration was, that I had been too much fet up by others, and fo had loli my gift; and this, I think, came the neareft to the truth of the cafe. Yet it vvas not fo loft, but that when my gracious helper faw my fviffer- ing was enough, he reftoreq. it again, »^nd, appeared to hiy foul as a clear, morning with- ' out clouds : everlafting praifes to his holy name! My mind was deeply bowed in hum?- ble thankfvilnefs, ttmder a fenfe of the great favou!" of being again counted worthy to- be intrufted^with fo precious a gift ; therefore I was 32 THE JUUKNAL OF was careful to excrcife the fame in great' Fear and awfulnefs, and more in a crofs to mine own will than before; as that which wsL^ but too likely to havq decked itfelf clierewithj was, for the prefent at leall, in a good degree flain. I have^.very often, in the -fidurfe of my religious experience, had caufe to adore and admire divine wifdanhj in his dealings with me for my preferva- tion in the way of peace ; being well alFured, that he will fo work for mankind, if they are fufficiently given up in heart and foul to him, that it will not be polTible for them to mifs of everlafting happinefs ; for none are able to pluck thoife out of his almighty hand, who do not firfl: incline to leave hiijn. After I had appeared in publick fome- what more than two years, I found fome drawings of go{pel-love, as I apprehended, to vifit 'the meetings of friends in fome part of New-Jerfey ; and being ,but young in the miniflry, I was in great fear, at times, left I Ihbtild be laniifta-ken, in that which I, at other times, thought to "be the divine requirings : for I iliuch dreaded that of run- ning when and where the 'Lord did not fend me, left I Ihould bring difhonour to* his blelTed name, and expole myfelf naked and void of proper qualifications for fo great an undertaking, to wife and difcer^ning friends. Great indeed was nay diftrefs, night and day, crying to the Lord for greater •JOHN GRIFFITH jj greater confirmation ; which he graciaufly heard, and was pleafed, by a dream or night- vifion, to afford me -fuch full fatisfaflion in, that I do not remember I Jiad any doubt afterwards concerning the fame. I entered upon the faid journey the 7th of the 8th month 1736; having a companian much older than myfelf every way. We visited the following meetings, viz. Piles- grove, Salem, Aloways-creek, and Cohanfey, where my companion left me, 'and returned home, being tinder fome difcouragemont about the journey in his own mind. But .as I found the Lord by his bleffed power near, opening my mouth, and enlarging my heart abundantly in his work, I was encouraged thereby to proceed, being join- ed in travel by an innocent friend belong- ing to Aloways-creek-meeting, who had a few- words to drop in meetings. We went from Gohanfey, through a great defart or wilder- tiefs, ,for about forty miles, without inhabi- tants, to Cape May, where wc had a 'meet- ing. From thence to Great and Little Egg- Harbour, and had meieitings. From thence, through the wildernefs, to the yearly-meet- ing at Shrewfbury, which was large, aad much favoured with the divine prefcnce: divers minifhering friends from Pennfylvania were there, viz. Thomas Ghalklcy, Robert Jordan, 'John and Evan Evans, Margaret Prefton, and athers. It 34 The JOURNAL of It neither fuited with my growth in the niniflry, nor my inclination, -to take up nuch time in thpfe large meetings. I there- 'ore, for the moft part, gave way to fuch as vera better qualified for the work, and in ny efteem worthy of double honour. ^ I lad a great regard in my mind for thofe vhom h thought as pillars in the hoUfe of jod, whether minifters or elders; and really, hink, if fuch had given it as their fenfe, hat I was wrong in my offerings, at any line, I Ihould have been more likely to lave depended on their judgment than my iwn. I looked upon myfelf, for many ears, as a child in experience every way ; nd therefore thdught a fubjedlion was due rom me, to thofe who were fathers and' aothers in Ifrael, and never, that I remem- ler, manifefted any difregard to them ; ?^hich is now a fatisfadlion to my mind", lut, I confefs, I have at times fince had aufe to marvel at the forwardnefs of fome, irho though but children, if rightly 'child- en, have undertaken the work of men, ardly difcovering a wijlingnefs to give the reference to any; and when they have been dmonifhed by thofe of much more experi- nce than themfelves, they have been apt to :tort, or to plead a divine commiflion, and liat it is right to obey God rather than lan ; as if they had the fole right of fpeak- ig and judging too. I liad divers times :en the great danger of being deceived and lifled by the transformer 5- and therefore was afraid JOHN GRIFFITH. 3^ afraid of being over confident of mine own light, and looked upon it the fafeft way to Hand quite open for inftrudlion, come from what quarter it would ; there being nothing more delired by me, tlian to be right. This large meeting ended Well, and fweetly* Praifes to the Lord over all for ever ! From thence I went to the following meetings, viz. Chefterfield, Trenton, Borden town, - Mansfield, Upper Springfield, Old Spring'- field, Burlington, Briftol, the Falls, Ancocas, Mount-holly, Evefham,Chefter, Haddonfield, and Woodbury Creek; from whence I re- turned home. The Lord made my journey profperous, and was to me, at times, as a fountain unfealed, furnifhing daily for the work he had engaged me in; being, in wonderful condefcenfion to my weak eftate, both wifdom and utterance; as it is written, " Out of the mouths of babes andfucklings " thou haft ordained flrength." Praiies to his holy name for ever! Notwithftanding the Lord committed un- to me a difpenfation of the golpel, and was pieafed to reward my fincere labours therein, with the fweet incomes of peace and joy in the Holy Ghoft, and with the unity of the brethren, in a comfortable degree ; yet great were my temptations, and various the com^ bats I had, for divers years after, with my foul's enemies. Oh! how hard I found it to keep from being defiled, more or lefs, F with jO THE JUUKISAL. OF ^ith the polluting floods, which were al- mofl continually poured out of the^ great red dragon's mouth, in order to carry away rnjr ' imagination into unlawful delights, from ■\yhich I did not always wholly efcape ; being fometimes prevailed upon to fet bounds to myfelf, that though I would not diredlly fall into the evil I was tempted to, yet I might take Ibme diftant delight and fatisfadlion^ in approaching as near thereunto as I thought was lawful.* Thus, for want of a watchful care, not only to Shun that which I knew to be really evil, but alfo every appearance of evil, I fometimes brought great anguifli and deep diftrefs upon my own mind ; and when I had gone but a little out of the right way, I found many, oh ! many weary fteps arid painful heart-achings, before I was re- ceived into the way and favour of the hea- venly Father again. I have often fince been humbly thankful for his prefervation, even out of grofs evils, confidering my danger- ous tampeiing therewith at times in the imagination. How can weak mortals deter- mine what length they will go, when any Way is given? Moil certain it is, they go out greatly to their hurt, who take any plea- fure at all in the thoughts of forbidden things. I have found, by woful experience, that when the leaft way is given to the enemy, he gains much advantage, over us, and we are greatly enfeebled thereby; fo that, inftead of growing as willows by the water- JOHN GRIFFITH. 37 water-courfes, there is danger of withering^ arid becoming of thofe that d#aw back, in whom the Lord hath- no pleafure. I have found it the firft' fubtil working of Satan, to draw m» off from a i:i@nftant care of bringing all my thoughts, words, andaflioiis to He tried by the light of Chrift in mine own heart ; and inftead thereof, to examine them by my partial reafoning part. Here, many'? things really edl in theii* nature, or tendency, or both, would carry the appeit-* attces of iiidifferency ;'3 the pleading would then ;be, there is no harm in this, that, or the other thing: yet there hath been a doubt perhaps in the mind to' reafon away, not duly confidering, that he Who doubt- cth, is condemned if he receive. So I have many times found it, when the judge of all hath been pleafed to arife, and ta find me but, with my fig-leaf covering on; having very imprudently, by giving way to wrong things, in a great meafure loft the garment of innocence, and an holy confidence to- wards God, Oh! how; very hot hath iny negledl oceafioned the furnace to-be made, that fo the dtbfs might be dpne away. Thus it was with m$, until the many chaf^ tenings of the heavenly Father had brought r^e into more fear, care, and fubgecSion. I could not be quite eafy to omit giving thefe hintsi of my many weaknefles and failings', that othejs may learn thereby to b^ aware. This I apprehend to be the chief reafoii 38 The JOURNAL oy reafon of our hs-ving th« failings and mif- carriages of God's people tfaafmitted to us in the holy fcriptures. Thou traveller Sion- ward, look forward to the joy fet before thee, not fuffer^ng thine eyes to wander about thee, left they convey fach deJigl^J to thy heart, as may iiifedl thy foul witdh pernicious diftempers, by which thou itiayeft be rendered unable to proceed on thy jour- ney towards the holy city; and throxigh th? defed; occafioned thereby to thy fight, thov^ mayeft, in a great meafuye, lofe the glori-^ ous profpedl of its beauti:^ul fituation, and the fplendor of its ftruftures. Beware thau do not load thyfelf with tl^e feeming plear fant fruit of that country through which thou travelleft:: although they may appear to hang plentifully on each hknd, they will neither be of any ufe to thee in that hea- venly country whither thou art goioag, noi; for refrefliment on the way thither. If thou haft a mind to naa|:e thine own way pro- Iperous, look fte^dily forward, w^ich a. fingle eye, to the recompence of reward. Bring every motion to-war4s feeking of fatisfadl-ion in forbidden places, immediately to the crofs, and thou wilt much fooner find the yoke 0(f Phrift made eafy^ and his burden light; all his ways pleafant, and his paths peace. This is abundantly better thaia that uneafy in an4 out way of travelling, finning ^nd repenting, repenting and finning agaiji; vsfhich lays a foundation for murmuring, l?ibour. JOHN GRIFFITH. 39 labour, and toil ; crying put, as fome do aJi their days, there i^'no cooaplete vidtory to be obt^iried over fin oia this fide of t^e grave. Miferable finners we muft remain, wheiji the caxjfe thereof is whpJJy in themfelyes ; be^aufe they will nqft come into, and abide in, the help of the Lord, againft the mighty enemies of their foul's happinefs, which ip altogether fufficient to give a complex vic-r tory over them ; yea, to give power to tri- umph^ and fay, " We are made more thaa " eonquerors through him that hath loved *' us," The %h month 1737) I fet oiit in order to vifiit fome meetings iiv Eaft-Jerfey ; hav- ing Richard French, an ancient friend, t& bear luie ci^mpariy. We ihad meetings at Stonybrook, Bethlehem, Lebanon, and at a Baptift's houle near BlafCk-River, None of our fiaciety were thereabouts, but there were ibipap ranters of Rggers's followers, wJiio had taken upon them the name of Qua* kers, -to the ^j-eat feandal of friends in that remote place: t^yey canae to the meeting, being moftly women. Their impatient reft- lefs fpiritijj wou^ld not fuffer them ta let ]4S hold our meeting qiiietjy; yet they did D^t feem inclinable to contend, but rather to fla,tter ^nd applaud us. Some of thenj ftood upj after we had feverally delivered wjkat we had upon our mincls, to fignify t^gir unity with ouj^dodrine, pretending it tft.,lie. ^ fai?ae. they held forth to the peo- ple, 4o THEi JOURNAL Of pie, tHough not enough regarded by "th^m. But We were not free to recSve their tefti- nioriy;, any more -than Paul and-Silas could that maid's who was polTefled with an evil fpirit; but rebuked- them dperily, and p^b- lickly declared our difunity with them, de- firirig the people not to look upon them as belonging to the fociety of the pebple called Quakers, as we could afliire the meeting it was not fo J and that we had no more unity ;*(vith thofe- pretenders, than they had. • I thoiight the chief fervice-we had at that place, was to teftify againfb thofe wild frari- tiek people, who we; fetind had, fey being accounted Quakers, caufed th€ way of tifuth to be evil fpokeri of. This unexpe^led 6p- pofition raifed their flighty fpirits,- fo that they became vb^y troublefome, being full of words, and afking frivolous queftions. Wheredpon that of Paul, to fame fuch wo- men in the Gojpinthian church, came frelh into my tnind. I therefore called out aloud, " Let your women be filent in the church ;" and opened to them, that it was fuch women as they were, that the- apoftle rebuked and commanded to be 'filent; who not experi- encing their fpirits to be truly fubjedled, that they might know how to fpeak con- cerning the things of God with a right un- derftanding, ought to learn infilenee mot meanitog to exclnde' thofe of mine own tet in the like cafe; the faia|e being as neceffai^ for ithem. We left them as ftill of them- ;^ ^ felvc^ 4 J O H N G R I R F I T H. 4* felves as we found them, ., and went from theiice to Whippany, where,' in a friend's houfq, we had ^^ preGious^l^meeting, TKe greateft nutii.%r being of other |bGie|ieSj_', the teffiiriony oF truth flowed fprth freely ; the^ iappearing to be much tendered and j^fFedled therewith. After meeting, fome of therji took VIS bVfh6' hand, and in an affed;ionat'e manner 1 ex|)reffed their ./afisf^ion "with our labours '" amongff ' them. ; From thence ■we weiit to'.Kainfield, ' and " Wo'odbi;i4ge| ' where We had irieetings : After which we retufned home; having been favoured, to accompiiftr this little jdurriey to my own iatisfadlion. Sometime before I entered uppn the be- fore--^entioned journey, I found my mind: pretty^ftSfongfy drawi|, and much inclindd*^ to enter into a Aarriage ftate with a young woman belonging to the lame meeting, with- in the compafs of which! had lately taken a farm, and to which I was then joined "by- certificate. Her name was Rebekah, the daughter of Jofiah and Sarah Fearn, and grand-daughteir of John Blunfton : fhe being a valuabletbratach of a good flock. By the death of her brother, fhe was then pofTefTed of that part of her faid grandfather's eflate, ■^here he hfid lived, and entertained friends from almoft the firfl fettlement of Pennfyl- vania, until his death; which afterwards was continued by j^s widow many years, but of ; late years had been laid afide. 42 tH^'lat/Il^Al' 6i^ tt wa§ ih Lower Derby, about feven miles Frpin t^hiladelphia, near a J large meet'^ ing; the meeting-hotife beiiig" built on lonafi of thai ff aA of- land. The reafbn or iriy being fo particular in this account, is tp fliew the Lord's" kindriefs, and gradious qon- dercenfion to me, in fo fully aniweririg what .1 had fo often defired, viz. that in cale t ever married 'and fettled, I might be fb placed arid circumftanced, as to entertain the Lord's fervants and me'flengers in an agreeable rhaniier: on which account, as well as that he was pleafed to give me an affectionate virtuous wife, I Kad, and have great caufe of humble thankfulnefs. We took each other in marriage the 30th of the loth month 1737, at a large and folemn meeting, held in the meeting- houfe before- mentioned, under the precious overiliadow- ing of the power of divine love ; I think to 1 larger degree than I had often, if ever, ^nown before: which was no fmall confirm [nation of our being rightly joined together; it being that alone which can truly enable :o make and keep covenant rightly with ;ach other. After marriage, I conftantly attended our barticular meeting, both on firfl: and other lays of the week} alfo the quarterly and yearly-meetings as they fell in courfe, and xequently vifited adjacent meetings. I vi- ited friends in the coutky of Bucks twice* )ut have no account by me of the exadl time^ JOHN GRIFFITH. 43 time. I fignifi^d to my ^yife, fome time after we.werp married, that I did expecl, in a few years,' I fliould find a concern to leave her for a longer time than I yet had done, and gave .her a hipt what time I thought it would be; which fell , out accordingly <; .haying them a diftatjt yj^w gf yifiting ^J?w- Engl.and.- W.henthe time for undertaking that jour- ney appeared clear to pie,' I, gave up thereto, in humble refignation and faith in the fuf- ficiency of that divide power which I be- lieved required it of me; yet not without fome intervals of discouragement, and rea- foning in myfelf what would heconje of my family and, outward concerns ; neither did I then know of any companion to join with me in this grgat undertaking, but at times believed I fh.ould bjp favoured with one, if t gave up thereunto. , lioweyer, J laid my con- cern before the monthly-me.etiijg tp w.hi,ch I Ibelonged, requeftjng their .concurrence and certificate,, jf jjpon ;| weighty roniideration thereof, they hfd unity with my concern. /V certificate wag prepared, whereby I was left to my hberty to proceed; but I, had not yet heard pf a companion, and greatjiy feared going without. Dur quarferlynme^t- jng falling .quickly after,. I went t,p itj iwMlre I foon made inquiry pf my, wuch ^efteemed friend John Phurchmaa, whether ^e kneWi.pf any fuitable companion for me. JHe reaAy told me that Ki;s brother-in-law, G Wilp^^nj 44 The J O U R-N A L- of William Brown, had procured a certificate in order for the fame journey, and did not then know of any companion, but believed one would be provided for him. This was very acceptable to me. When William Brown, and I had an opportunity of con- ferring, together, which was the fame day, wc found our concerns and views fo exadl- ly agree, and our fpirits fo clofely united for the fervice, that our hearts bowed in thankfulnefs to -the Lord, for his care and .providence over us ; believing what we were, about to engage in, was agreeable to his will, and in his counfel. It being the meecinj^ for minifters and elders that dav, we laid oui' concern before that meeting, where it appeared to be well approved, which was no fmall ftrength to us. I did then, and hope ever fhall, greatly love and highly value the unity of the brethren; having found it no fmall ftrength and en- couragement to me, in many low and try^ ing times, which are neceffary and unavoid- able in that folemn engagement of vifit- ing the churches; efpecially now in their low declined ftate. It became indilputably clear to my underftanding, that it is alto- gether impoffible to adminifter, in a feel- ing efFeftual manner,, to people's feveral ftates, unlefs we are baptized thereinto. Well adapted words, and found do