I 
 

 LIBRARY 
 
SOME DISCOURSES, 
 EPISTLES, AND LETTERS, 
 
 BY TH5 LATE 
 
 SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 
 
 SOME DISCOURSES 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS, 
 
 BOTH OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 
 KOW FIRST PUBLISHED. 
 
 Eonbon : 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BX 
 
 W.PHILLIPS, 
 
 CIORCa YARD, LOMBAaO STREET, 
 
 1803, 
 
DISCOURSES, 8cc, 
 
 Sy THE LATE 
 
 SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, 
 
 116679 
 
Thefollowiftg Account of the late 
 
 Samuel Fothergill 
 
 Is extraEled from the Gentleman s Maga^ 
 
 %lne^for i^T^-ipcige 220. 
 
 X O commemorate the virtues of great and 
 eminent men, who have been honorable in 
 their day, is a tribute due to their memory : — 
 a tribute which fenfible men pay from emo- 
 tions of refpeciful gratitude, and from a hope 
 that it may prove an incentive to the living 
 to emulate their virtues. 
 
 Of this clafs the late Mr. Samuel ¥ other gill ^ 
 of Warrington, an eminent preacher among 
 the Quakers, and brother to Dr. Fothergill, 
 of London, may v/ith great juflice be ranked, 
 I knew him well, and had the happinefs of 
 his occafional acquaintance ; I call it the hap- 
 pinefs, becaufe I never enjoyed the company 
 of any perfon from whom I received more 
 real fatisfa£lion; and, however diverfified with 
 affliction the future part of my hfe may prove, 
 I fliall never remember thofe hours I have 
 fpent with him but with peculiar pleafurc. 
 He was a happy compound of the Gentleman 
 and the Chriflian j the virtues and amiable 
 
 qualities 
 
( vi ) 
 
 qualities of each c]iara(5ter being admirably 
 blended in him. Graceful in his perfoa and 
 deportment, eafy and affable in his manner, 
 he commanded both refpecl and love. He 
 poifeflcd natural abilities far fuperior to the 
 generality of mankind, and improved them 
 to the utmofl of his power. Well read both 
 in books and men, his ftudies did not ter- 
 minate in barren fpeculation, but the great 
 truths of religion were deeply implanted in 
 his heart, and beamed forth illuflriouHy in a 
 benevolent Chriffian condu£l. 
 
 As a member of civil fociety, he was ex- 
 ceedingly ufeful, filling up the focial and 
 relative duties of life with great propriety. 
 Blamelefs in his manners, kind, charitable, 
 and ready on all occafions to devote his time 
 and talents to promote the bed of all caufes, 
 the good of' mankind, he hved beloved, 
 and his lofs Is deeply deplored by all who 
 had the happinefs of knowing his worth. 
 
 As a Preacher, he was far fuperior to moft 
 that fill that ilation : found in important doc- 
 trines of the Chriftian Faith, he endeavoured 
 to promote them univerfally, with the great- 
 eft energy of language, and the moft perfua- 
 Tive eloquence. In this capacity he was, in- 
 
 deed 
 
( vli ) 
 
 deed, truly great; and his greatnefs received 
 additional luflre from his humility. Although 
 followed by numbers, and courted by per- 
 fons of fuperior rank and flation, and admired 
 by thofe of all perfuafions, the applaufe,which 
 his eminence juftly acquired, did not exalt, 
 but evidently tended to make him humble. 
 He was a perfon of an enlarged mind, zealous 
 without bigotry, and a fteady promoter of 
 univerfal charity. In his fermons, it was evi- 
 dent to all his intelligent hearers, that he 
 deeply felt the force of thofe folemn truths 
 he delivered ; and his manner of difplaying 
 them was fo juftly emphatical, that none but 
 the infenfible or obdurate could withftand 
 their force, or remain unaffected by them. 
 He travelled much, from the moft difmterefted 
 motives, among his friends in Great Britain, 
 Ireland, and the American Colonies, for the 
 promotion of piety and Chriftlan virtue, 
 and for the advancement of that faith and 
 religion in which he moft furely believed, and 
 was fo eminent an example. 
 
 During the latter part of his life he was 
 much indifpofed in his health ; but (as I have 
 heard from the beft authority) perfeflly happy 
 and eafy in his mind, having an evidence 
 
 ia 
 
( vlii ) 
 
 in himfelf, that he was approaching that ftate 
 of felicity which is prepared for the righ. 
 teous. 
 
 This evidence fupported him through the 
 remains of a painful life, and was his un- 
 failing hope in the awful hour of death, 
 which (when near his end) he declared " had 
 *' no terrors, nor would the grave have any 
 " vi£lory:'' and alfo added, " that as he 
 *' had lived, fo he ftiould clofe with the mod 
 " unfhaken affurance, that he had not fol- 
 *' lowed cunnlngly-devifed fables, but the 
 <« pure living and eternal fubilance." — Such 
 was his examplary life ! — Such his triumphant 
 death ! — A life fo fpent is truly honourable,— 
 and fuch a death unfpeakably glorious! 
 
DISCOURSE 
 
 Delivered at the Meeting-Houfe of the People 
 called fakers, at Bradford^ 
 
 The 17th of the 8th Month, 1770. 
 Bv S. FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Although there is (unhappily for 
 themfelves) a ipirit of diinpation, and of in- 
 credulity with refpeft to matters of the higheft 
 importance, too vifibly prevalent in many • 
 yet it is pleafmg and comfortable to me to 
 have reafon to believe, that in many others, 
 an inquiry is raifed after the way to life and 
 falvation. 
 
 '^ O Lord! who fhall (liew us any good?*' 
 
 An inquiry worthy of being inculcated 
 
 with fincerity and impartiality 3 and I have 
 
 A no 
 
: DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 no doubt of its being crowned with the 
 defired iuccefs, to every honefl and fincere 
 inquirer. 
 
 I think that the days in which we Hve, 
 through the awakening virtue of divine 
 mercy, furnilh many invitations hke that 
 which the evangehcal prophet gave forth^ 
 with the gracious authority of the Author 
 and Well-fpring of all that is good ; an in- 
 vitation which hath fometimes warned me, 
 and is affeftionately raifed in my heart to- 
 wards many in this aiTembly. 
 
 " Ho! everyone that thirfleth, come ye 
 ^'^ to the waters, and he that hath no 
 -'money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, 
 ^' come, buy wine and milk without money 
 "^^ and without price. Wherefore do ye 
 *=' fpend money for that which is not bread, 
 *' and jour labour for that which fatisfieth 
 " not? Hearken diligently unto me, and 
 " eat ye that which is good, and let your 
 " foul delight icfelf in fatncfs." 
 
 This is an invitation which may have 
 little meaning or lignificancy in it to thofe 
 who are ilrangers, unhappily flrangers, to 
 the beginning of that creating power of God, 
 that would form and fafliion them in hoiinefs 
 
 unto 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, 3 
 
 unto glory. Bat it is exprefTive and intelli- 
 gible to fuch minds as have been engaged in 
 defires after the knowledge of Him, in 
 whom they have profelTed to believe ; and 
 who have meafurably witnefled the entrance 
 of that Spirit, as both Light and Life, which 
 is juftly and pertinently called, the Chicken- 
 ing Spirit : for it is by the influence, and 
 the enlivening, of this Quickening Spirit, we 
 mud be made (if we ever are made) living 
 fouls to God ; initiated, and built up in that 
 life v.'hich is eternally happy. 
 
 We are incapable of either hunger or 
 thirft, but through the enlivening of this 
 Quickening Spirit. Hunger and thirft are 
 a6ts appertaining to life. The dead have 
 not thofe fcnfations, — thofe that are naturally 
 or fpiritually dead : as it is through the effi- 
 cacious work of that holy "wind thatblow- 
 " eth where it liflcth,** that the dead " dry 
 " bones in the valley'* have been drawn 
 into a refemblance of mankind ; are brought 
 toother ; brought to their refpective places 
 in the heavenly body ; quickened, raifed, 
 formed, an army to the living God. 
 
 The holy prophet knew it to be an utter 
 
 impoflibihty for any power, fliort of the 
 
 A 2 divine. 
 
4 DISCOURSES, 6ic, by 
 
 divine, creating power, to bring together 
 thofe dead dry bones ; and indeed the obfer- 
 vatlon I confefs feems worthy of that divine 
 wifdom that dehvered it. They were hu- 
 man bones ; there was a degree of fitnefs 
 in the form of their conllruftion for mem- 
 berfliip and for aflimilation one with another; 
 but I conceive there was no inherent virtue 
 or ability in thofe dead dry bones, to aflimi- 
 late one to another ; they had certainly laid 
 till the confummation of all things, but for 
 that fupernatural breath, or wind oi divine 
 power, which re-anlmated them. And I 
 freely own, that I believe fomething of this 
 nature hath been ImpreiTed upon the minds 
 of many in thefe days in which we live, that 
 would teach them to make the quickening 
 fpirit their principal object in the rudiments 
 of a divine life. To live in the obedience 
 of an holy faith here, and to be raifed to 
 the enjoyment of endlefs good hereafter, is 
 what I wifli for all thofe the dull of Zion, 
 when on their way to the holy habitation, 
 where the wicked ceafe from troubling, and 
 the weary foul enjoys eternal reft. 
 
 And, as having received mercy and a de- 
 crree of merciful experience from the Author 
 
 of 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 5 
 
 of my being, I find fome engagement to 
 point out fome fleps which have produced 
 the firfl fruits of the fpiritual creation of 
 God; which have been a means of giving 
 Ikength to fome in their race, and of turning 
 afide others from following the works of an 
 unavailing profeilion. 
 
 For, as I have faid, I have no doubt that: 
 the prefent awakening, upon many minds^ is 
 of a divine nature ; and it may be knov/n 
 whence it proceeds. Its original may be 
 traced, by confidering wheiher it more a- 
 bounds in heavenly dcfuxs, or in defircs 
 after the things of this life. 
 
 In the miyftery of ungodlinefs there is a 
 life which imitates the life* of ChriH: ; but it 
 is a life that muil die if ever we live accepta- 
 bly to God. It is a life refulting from the 
 love of this world (wherein the prince of 
 the power of the air bears rule in the chil- 
 dren of difobedience) ; that has its fimili- 
 tudeand defires after heaven : '* Let me die 
 " the death of the righteous.'* '• Let me 
 " flee from the VvTath to come." 'Let me 
 ' have an inheritance in the enjoyment of 
 * peace world without end:' though per- 
 haps they may continue in the gratification 
 A -^ • of 
 
(> DISCOURSES, Uc, SY 
 
 of corrupt nature. But thefe know not the 
 life that is incorruptible and undefiled, which 
 alone can obtain an inheritance in the king- 
 dom of God. Flefh and blood cannot in- 
 herit this kingdom and its life. Thefe 
 wiflies after a (late of happinefs, and defires 
 after heaven, have frequently in many minds, 
 proceeded .from the language of vitiated, 
 corrupted felf, in which they would build 
 up to themfclves a vifionary hope ; and 
 hence have efli mated its fucccfs according to 
 the warmth of defire after life, raifed by 
 ilefli and blood, which cannot inherit the 
 kingdom of God. 
 
 I am very apprehenfive too many have 
 miilaken this ardour of mind, for the king- 
 dom of God ; though in an unfan6i:iiied, 
 unconverted flate they have apprehended it 
 has been of that third, fupplied from the 
 fountain of inexhaudiible good : and in the 
 warmth and fervor of the fire they have 
 kindled, the kingdom of heaven hath fuf- 
 fered a kind of violence. In this miftaken 
 flate, by exalted pretences to religion and 
 holinefs, too many have endangered their 
 prefent, and eternal happineis, and involved 
 thcmfelves in this mofl dangerous error; 
 
 whereby 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 7 
 
 whereby we may approach the refemblance 
 of religion and amufe ourfelves with an imi- 
 tation of divine Hfe, and at the fam.e time 
 not be a^luated by it : this conflitutes the 
 danger under which we live, by entertaining 
 defires after heaven, without being poirefTcd 
 of heavenly virtue. 
 
 * Let nae be holy. Let me die tlie 
 
 * death deRined for me to die.' But hea- 
 venly defires take in the means as well as the 
 end : ' O Lord, prepare me for thy king- 
 
 * dom.. Let not thy hand fpare, nor thine 
 
 * eye pity, till judgment pafs upon the Mount 
 ' of Edom, Efau's firil produ6lion. Turn 
 
 * thy hand upon me ; purge away my drofs ; 
 
 * take away all my tin, and refine me as 
 
 * reprobate filver.' 
 
 As our defires are thus raifed after the 
 fountain of divine life, the glorious and 
 holy Chiickener will draw us into a fimilitude 
 with our Author 5 and beget defires after 
 heaven : not from motives of felf-love or 
 fear, but as the habitation of fan<ftified and 
 holy fpirits. Now this is to bring religion, 
 and religious labour where it ought 10 exift ; 
 from the viiion of the head, to the feeling 
 
 emotions 
 
 A4 
 
S DISCOURSES, &c. ev 
 
 emotions of the heart. The axe is laid ro 
 the root of that which is to be removed ; 
 and the virtue of this divine mvitation be- 
 comes diffufed and proclaimed thrcugbout 
 all the powers of the foul, as the axe is laid 
 ro every fuperfluous branch. " The axe is 
 " laid to the root of the tree, and eveiy 
 " tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, 
 " is hewn down, and cail into the fire." 
 
 *' Ho ! every one that thirfleth ; " and in * 
 whom this divine life has arifen, and that 
 take in this glorious objecl: of heavenly love ; 
 which is not enly the end, but the means, 
 that can lift up the heart, with the hands to 
 God in the heavens in ardent fupphcation, 
 that he may refine, fanflify, and purge away 
 their fins, wafh them from all iniquity, and 
 reftore them by the afiimilating virtue of 
 divine grace Into an union with the Holy 
 Spirit, wherein we are enabled to ferve him 
 " In the beauty of holinefs and in newnefs 
 ^' of life." 
 
 '^ Ho, every one that thirfleth," every one 
 in whom a thirlt has been raifed after the 
 animating virtue of the Quickening -Spirit ; 
 may you continue poileffed of an awful reve- 
 rent fenfc of that goodnefs and mercy that 
 
 has 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 9 
 
 has thus evidently manifefted itfelf, and taken 
 place in your hearts. 
 
 There are fome people too lofty for re- 
 ligion ; alas ! there are others who think 
 themfelves too low for religion ; in whom the 
 lanc^uacre of anxious folicitude is become de- 
 prelTed with fear ; that are upon the verge 
 of defpair, not fufFiciently confidering the 
 efficacious virtue of that power that would 
 fanclify and prepare them in afHiflion, for his 
 further ufe. Some are ready to lament their 
 fituation : ' Will God accept the labour of 
 ' my hands, for the manfions of light and 
 ' life ? What have I to do with relio[ion ? I 
 ' would with great diligence endeavour to 
 ' fill up the duties of my day, I would feek 
 ' the confolation of my God, but it is for 
 ^ ever hid from m.e.' This has often been 
 the language infmuated by the grand de- 
 ceiver, and enemy of the happinefs, of m.an- 
 kind. For though our heavenly Father, 
 that clothes the feafoii with variety, may 
 have diverfified the day with afHi-flions, they 
 are a means to drav/ us nearer to himfeif : 
 and knov/ for thy encouragement, that there 
 is an abundant accefs, through the one glo- 
 rious mediator, the Lord Jefus Chrifl, by 
 A 5 whom 
 
10 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 w^hom we are admitted into that " within 
 ** the veil." He liflens to our requefts, as to 
 the cherubim and feraphim with their holy, 
 holy, holy, in the habitation of light and 
 blifs. He is the God and Father of us all. 
 He is their God ; he is my God ; he is thy 
 God, thy Father, and thy friend, from whom 
 this proclamation of unbounded mercy is 
 gone forth ; '^ Ho, every one that thirfteth,'* 
 every one in whom this divine life is raifed, 
 '^ come ye to the waters, and let him that 
 " hath no money come, yea, buy and eat, 
 " yea, come buy wine and milk without 
 *' money, arid without price.'* 
 
 As it is of divine original that this life 
 proceeds, fo it m.ufl: be fomething adequate 
 to its ov/n nature, that can fatisfy it ; fome- 
 thing proceeding from the God of Life, and 
 a diifufion of his fpirit. In the holy, ani- 
 mating virtue of it, we cry " Abba, Father!'* 
 to him that dv/ells in glory. 
 
 This is the divine life ; it is a life that will 
 ftrengthen. This is the life that is properly 
 called Religion ; that ever lives in the fpirit- 
 ual kingdom of the Almighty God and Lord 
 of heaven and earth ; that lives throughout 
 all creation. It is the fume life that breathes 
 
 to 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. ii 
 
 to man in fecrct forrow and complaint ; it is 
 in the fulnefs of the fame life, that the loftiefl 
 oblation of worfliip afcends to the Majeily 
 on high ; and the holy incenfe of praife, 
 from HIS fanctified families both in heaven 
 and on earth, that are virtually united in the 
 uniformity of divine and ardent lov^. We 
 may be diflinguiflied by various name?, or 
 different modes, with regard to circumftan- 
 tial points ; but it is the animating life of 
 Chrift that Hves in all, and is one both in 
 heaven and earth : it leads to itfelf, to third 
 after itfelf, and even retains a confiflency 
 with its own nature; it has ken an end cf 
 profeflion, or imaginary views of things, and 
 in it we become confirmed in tlie divine 
 commandments of God. '- I have feen an 
 " end of all perfeflion -, but thy command- 
 *' raent is exceeding broad." 
 
 It is a life that cannot be uirisned with any 
 thing that this world can afford ; neither can 
 it be content with the mofl fpecious pro- 
 feifion of truth. It cannot be content wich 
 all the riches of a name ; nor with the for- 
 mality in which fome take up their refl. ]t 
 afpires after fomething greater, fomething 
 A 6 higher, 
 
12 DISCOURSES, kc. BY 
 
 higher, that will fuflain when the elements 
 fliall diiTolve with fervent heat, and all things 
 vifible fliall fade ; when every fpecious pre- 
 tence, or lofty profciTion, in which mankind 
 unhappily place ihcir confidence, will no 
 longer prevail^ but an uniform fleady progrefs 
 in that life of righreoufnefs and holinefs, 
 wherein we are admitted to partake of the 
 celeflial banquet of divine love, and to ob- 
 tain an entrance into the mofl holy place, to 
 oiTer the holy incenfe of w^orfhip with the 
 firil born among many generations, in the 
 love and life of the Lord Jefas Chrifl. 
 
 There is a probability fometimes of thofe 
 that have been quickened and enlivened, 
 who have received a meafure of the heavenly 
 gift that would qualify and prepare them 
 for eternal life, there is a probability of 
 thefe turning afide from the fpirit of life, 
 into " The oldnefs of the letter -/' turning 
 from a fleady progrefs in the knowledge of 
 Him in whom they have believed, into a de- 
 pendence upon exterior rites, and fliadowy 
 performances ; a figurative refemblance of 
 fomething they would gladly hope acceptable 
 in the fight of God. 
 
 I have 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGTLL. 13 
 
 I have feen indances in the courfe of my 
 life of fome whofe fouls have been awakened 
 to a third after good by the animating virtue 
 of divine Hfe in the Alpha, or fird beginning 
 of his fpiritual creation, wherein have been 
 formed defires after heaven ; and yet they 
 have turned afide from the arduous, la- 
 borious, deady following on their way, and 
 (if I may be allowed the expreffion) have 
 lod themfelves in the flowery fields of imagi- 
 nation. Thefe have been ready to think 
 that they have attained a fufficient know- 
 ledge of religion, and religious duties ; and 
 thus knowledge has been fubdituted for prac- 
 tice ; the mufing of the head, for the vital 
 fenfations of the heart ; a profeflion, without 
 a fubdantial polTedion, of its virtue; and thus 
 they are loil in the fields of imagination, and 
 the myderious paihs of felf-fufBcient merit. 
 They have lod that light which hath gra- 
 cioufly vifited them ; and that holy fenfe of 
 innocency, which once adorned their minds 
 with heavenly, divine, adcclions; wherein had 
 been opened a door of hope and confolation 
 to the thirdy foul. Alas 1 that any diould 
 thus fall away from their eternal intered, by 
 negleifting the duties of their day, and be- 
 coming 
 
r4 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 coming intent upon and fixed in the notional 
 part, without the obedience of faith and a 
 fleady attention to the refrefhing elTe^ls of 
 the " Day fpring from on Iiigh/' For as 
 happinefs confifts in the enjoyment of eflen- 
 tial good, may you fo follow on as to know 
 it fafliioning you in every Chriftian virtue, 
 and thus become confirmed in the pofi^eiTion 
 of divine and ardent charity. But beware of 
 that " knowledge that pulTeth up" and tends 
 not to edification. May you thus endeavour 
 to increafe in the (lability of wifdom, and a 
 fteady advancing from glory to glory, and 
 from one degree of faith to another, in a 
 daily filial dependance upon him who is 
 *' willing to fave and able to deliver to the 
 '' uttermofl, all them, that come unto God, 
 ^« by him." 
 
 The holy apoflle feemed to obferve the 
 lamentable flate of the Galatian churches 
 am.ongft \vhom he had laboured, and raifed 
 the firfl fruits of a divine vifitation, wherein 
 many were quickened to a fenfe of good, 
 and yet expoflulates Vv'ith them after this 
 manner, '*^ O! fooliQi Galatians ; who hath 
 *' bewitched you, that ye flxould not obey 
 " the truth, before whofe eyes, Jefus Chrifl 
 
 '' hath 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 15 
 
 '^ hath been evidently fet forth, crucified 
 " among you." Thefe, having begun in the 
 fpirit, thought to be made perfect in the 
 flefli. But it is not any a<Sl which the 
 flefli is capable of performing, or muhi- 
 pHcity of external fervices, as the means 
 of falvation, that can ever attain the end. 
 For here, too many fouls are become Gran- 
 gers to the fpirituality of the Chriflian faith, 
 and are alienated from the fpring of divine 
 knowledge, arifmg in the dependant thirfly 
 foul. It vifits you oftener than the n:orni:ig. 
 It would raife defires after the enjoyment of 
 divine life, in all thofe minds which atten- 
 tively view its difcoveries, to obferve that 
 obedience keep pace with the knowledge 
 revealed ; that the duties of the day are 
 filled up with propriety. This would lead 
 the mind where it ought to be le^' ; that 
 is, into a clofe and vigilant inqu'ry afcer 
 the flate and condition of our ow n fouls ; 
 what is of God, and what is contn ry to his 
 heavenly will. 
 
 Hearing is not wordiip. The iabour of 
 the voice, or a multitude of words, is not 
 worfliip. Thefe fmiply cannf;t confti.ucc the 
 effential part of divine fervice j for though 
 
 wc 
 
i6 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 we may pronounce all the truths recorded In 
 holy writ, they cannot help us to utter the 
 fecret cry, Lord ! Lord ! prepare me for thy 
 kingdom j they can never redeem us from 
 the powers of death, hell, and the grave, or 
 impart the effecls of vital religion. The 
 work of righteoufnefs is deeper than any 
 fuperficial form, it is higher than a mere 
 profeiTion, or name ; even than the mod ex- 
 cellent and divine truths that ever were ut- 
 tered by man. What then is divine worfliip? 
 fmce it it not the labour of the tongue, nor 
 proceeds from the head ; what is it but the 
 fecret afpirations of the foul to God, arifmg 
 in the humble and enlightened mind ? " I 
 " wrll pray v/ith the fpirit, and with the un- 
 *' derftanding alfo," whether I ufe words, 
 or no words ; whether language fade, or 
 whether it do not. We have occafion for 
 language in the mutual engagements, or 
 converfe, one with another ; but the holy 
 infinite Spirit, by one inflinclive a<5l of vifion, 
 beholds all the various dates and conditions 
 of mankind. " I will look towards thy holy 
 *' temple." The penetrating eye that bounds 
 infinity, includes the moil fecret thoughts 
 and intents of every heart. " I Vv^ill look 
 
 *' towards 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 17 
 
 ** towards thy holy temple ;'* and in this 
 lock, the mind is prepared to offer an ac- 
 ceptable facrilice to the Lord of heaven and 
 the whole earth. 
 
 Beware of having begun in the fpirit, and 
 of following the fleflily performances in 
 thofe things which may prefent themfelves 
 as a refemblance of religious duties. Be 
 what you arc, not by a form or profefTion, 
 or any contrivance of mankind ; but be what 
 you are by the grace of God ; and then I 
 have no doubt but the thirfl in many will 
 again increafe : and " bleffcd are they that 
 " hunger and third after righteoufnefs, for 
 " they fhall be filled.'' This bleffing was 
 pronounced by him that never failed, nor 
 ever will, in the performance of the covenant 
 he has made. " BlefTed are they that hun- 
 *' ger and third after righteoufnefs." Here 
 heavenly defires are raifed after fubdantial 
 good ; the affections are properly dire6led in 
 purfuit of a divine temper, and prepared to 
 receive the imprefTions of an heavenly love. 
 
 *' Bleffed are they that hunger and thirfl 
 ^* after righteoufnefs, for they fhall be fill- 
 ^' ed.'* This is a promife that he would 
 gracioufly accomplilh in the experience of 
 
 raankind, 
 
t8 discourses, &c. Ey 
 
 mankind, more and more unlverfally ; a pro- 
 mife to fupply the hunger of fuch as may 
 have refufed comfort, and that fubflitute a 
 fimilitude, inflead of practical virtue ; to 
 whom appears appHcable the myftcrious 
 meaning of that expreilion which was for- 
 merly the language of the church ; " I charge 
 *' you, O ye daughters of Jerufalem, by the 
 *' hinds, and by the roes of the field, that ye 
 *' ftir not up, nor awake my love, until he 
 *' pleafe :" or as in better words, and more 
 properly exprefied, " I charge you, O ye 
 *' daughters of Jerufalem, that ye ftir not 
 *' up, nor awake my love, by the hinds and 
 *' by the roes of the field, until he pleafe." 
 Thefe are the light footed imaginations, in 
 which perhaps the mind may become in 
 fome meafare animated, and at times ftirred 
 up. But having w^andered into the moun- 
 tains of vifion, the mind very frequently ex- 
 ercifes itfelf in a<n:s of fuperficial devotion, 
 and the flrifl obfervation of exterior forms ; 
 and by this means is loft in the fields of 
 imagination. Thus is loft the capacity of 
 diftinguiftiing betwixt that which is of a 
 divine and heavenly nature (that awakening 
 love that would arife in the demonftrarion 
 
 or 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 19 
 
 of power), and the efFeas of an unliable 
 mind 5 betwixt that univerfal righteoufnefs 
 of Chrift, and a hfe in the various amufe- 
 ments of time, hke the hinds and the roes 
 of the field, that wander at will, not content 
 to await the wakening of his " love until he 
 *' pleafe. 
 
 " Ho, every one that thirileth, come ye 
 *' to the waters 5 and let him that hath no 
 *' money come, yea buy and eat j buy wine, 
 *' and milk, without money, and without 
 '' price/' 
 
 O ! the riches of divine grace, that has 
 thus abundantly favoured and bleffed us 
 with the ccleftial dew, which is of the boun- 
 teous mercy of our Father that is in heaven^ 
 without mouey, and without price. We have 
 no equivalent wherewith to return the infinite 
 obligation ; we have nothing to plead with ; 
 no claim to avail ourfelvcs of, or depend 
 upon, but upon him that flieweth mercy. We 
 have no righteoufnefs but of him ; no flrength 
 but in his ftrength ; neither might, nor wif- 
 dom, but of him : let him that glorieth, 
 therefore, glory in this, that he that flieweth 
 mercy hath imparted ability to perform the 
 duties required at his hands. 
 
 For 
 
29 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 For there is no equivalent, or return of 
 gratitude whereby to attribute a fuificiency 
 of thankful reverence, for the glorious be- 
 nefits we receive in the liglit of his coun- 
 tenance ; we have no adequate flrength of 
 our own, but in the diifufion of abilitaling 
 virtue from the Son of God. Some people 
 would avail themfelves of knowledge, and 
 the ilrength of opinion, without a lively pof- 
 feilion of " that faith that works by love*^ to 
 ** the purifying of the heart." It will caft. 
 out every claim to merit, or of fufficiency, 
 but w^hat proceeds from Him, by whom are 
 all things, and we by him. 
 
 " Wherefore fpend ye your money for 
 '* that which is not bread, and your labour 
 " for that which fatisfieth not ? " Here let 
 us a little inquire into the ftate and progrefs 
 of fuch difpofed minds, as are negligently 
 fpending their money " for that which is 
 '* not bread, and their labour for that which 
 " fatisfieth not." 
 
 What is the reafon that the convinced of 
 God, are not fo generally converted as might 
 be? It is becaufe they apprehend them- 
 felves converted and healed, too frequently, 
 in a {late of iinfouudnef< ; thcfe grow not up 
 
 in 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 21 
 
 In divine knowledge and underftanding of 
 fpiritual things ; but from being confirmed 
 in a holy fortitude, are led to purfue the un- 
 certain mazes of folly, by " fpending their 
 ^* money for that which is not bread, 
 ^^ and their labour for that which fatisfieth 
 «^ not." 
 
 I think the reafon of it may be further 
 thus underdood ; it is for want of regarding 
 this folemn injundlion, " Hearken diligently 
 ^' unto me.** Alas! too many, whofe minds 
 have been meafurably awakened to a fenfe 
 of good, are departing after other inventions, 
 and not attending to infl:rU(5i:ion from him 
 that fpeaks as never man fpoke ; have de- 
 parted from attentively liflening to the voice 
 that is perfe6l wifdom, into the vain admira- 
 tion of man, " Little children, keep your- 
 felves from idols," your minds once efta- 
 blifhed in the unity of the holy Catholic 
 church, have been broken into rents and 
 fchifms ; " I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and 
 I of Cephas/' I am of this man, I am of 
 the other man ; I efleem fuch a one, and I 
 follow the dodrine of fuch a teacher ; and 
 here the feamlefs garment of the holy Jcfus 
 has been rent, and fchifms have been intro- 
 duced 
 
iz DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 duced by apoflacy and fedu£lion from the 
 Great " Shepherd, and everlafting Bifhop 
 "of fouls;" who fpeaks as never man 
 fpoke. Thefe are involved in the paths of 
 amufernent ; and are negle(5ling their hea- 
 venly teacher that fpeaks as never man fpoke, 
 by continuing their dependence upon human 
 aid, and idolizing this man, ©r the other 
 man ; this has been a means wherewith the 
 enemy of Chridianity hath fought to deface 
 the beauty of the primitive churches : and 
 the fame temptation is fucceeding in our day. 
 " I am of Paul, I of Apollos, and I of 
 *' Cephas ;" and have not we thofe diftinc- 
 tions, literally, in thefe days in which we 
 live ? 
 
 But I believe there are many whofe minds, 
 by the animating virtue of divine life, are 
 brought to bear part in that univerfal groan 
 and labour of all creation, which the apoflle 
 fpeaks of; and which is in meafure alive in 
 our days, not to be unclothed, but to be 
 *' clothed upon with a houfe from heaven : " 
 who are hearkening to him, following after 
 him, the " Shepherd and Bifhop of fouls;** 
 who endeavour to live in the obedience of 
 faith, and not in the fplendour of empty 
 
 profeflion. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 23 
 
 profefTion, but in the poiTelTion of that hea- 
 venly virtue, which furniflies unto every 
 good word and work. 
 
 There are fome who, unable to fuflain 
 the Chriftian do6lrine, are transferring ic 
 from one to another ; thefe would gladly 
 continue in the gratification of fenfe, in the 
 hopes they can transfer it from themfelves, 
 and fix it on another. Thefe make an am- 
 ple profefiion of religion, of the fliadowy 
 performances of religion, or external duty ; 
 they have fallen afleep within myflerious 
 Babylon, and think themfelves fecure from 
 that penetrating holy eye that views the 
 fecrets of every heart. 
 
 " What meaneft thou, O fleepcr ? Arife 
 ** and call upon thy God." A language of 
 this kind has been fpoken by the great and 
 heavenly preacher, that fearches the deep 
 things of God, and difcovers the myfteries 
 of iniquity, which with all the appendages 
 of myilery Babylon, are open to its view. 
 '^ What meanell: thou, O lleeper ? Arife, 
 ** and call upon thy God.*' This awaken- 
 ing voice produced in the rebelUous pro- 
 phet a confcioufncfs of fni ; it put him upon 
 acknowledging that he was the caufe of their 
 
 diflrefs. 
 
24 DISCOURSES, kc, by 
 
 diftrefs. But hafl thou not got afleep again, 
 and dreamed a dream of unfelt truths ; 
 fallen faft afleep in a profeffion of religion, 
 a vocal acknowledgment, the labour of the 
 tongue with an unfandlified heart. Thefe 
 are in imminent danger of continuing in the 
 difregard of practical animated religion, 
 which would engage the foul, in humble re- 
 verence, to approach the Father of Spirits 
 with the acceptable facrificc of mental ado- 
 ration and praife. 
 
 " Why fpend ye your money for that 
 ^' which is not bread, and your labour for 
 " that which fatisfieth not." 
 
 Be convinced of the heavenly eiEcacy of 
 divine grace, and ever retain a precious 
 fenfe of its virtue upon the foul. Why are 
 ye fcattered abroad in the amufements of the 
 fiefli ? Why is the work become abortive,, 
 and the labours of the day obftrufted ? It is 
 for want of a necelTary attention. " Hearken 
 ''diligently unto me,'* is the univerfal call 
 of God ; and not to any fubordinate teacher, 
 who may be as a delegated fcrvant or fliep- 
 herd of the flock. Thefe are but men, 
 fubje£l: to like paflions with you ; equally 
 liable with you to the fnarcs, difficulties, 
 
 and 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 25 
 
 and jeopardies of their race ; furrounded 
 with the fame dangers with you to whom 
 they miniller, and too frequently are found 
 to be fuch as are engaged in the purfuit of 
 temporal intereft, more than for the good of 
 fouls. They confider not their contradi£lory 
 doftrines ; but puzzle the mind with unin- 
 telligible fruits of (tudious labour, ani that 
 too often at the price of the Chriflian faith. 
 For though in part fome have renounced the 
 hidden things of difhonefly, they neverthe- 
 lefs continue involved in all the deceivable- 
 nefs of unrighteoufnefs. But our merciful 
 Father has provided a fafer dependence ; 
 for as flefli hath the principles of life, fo the 
 animating virtue of divine life is imparted 
 from the Son of God, the Saviour of the 
 world, immediately through the influence 
 of his Holy Spirit ; wherein is revealed 
 all that is necefTary for us to know. This 
 is, as I conceive, the one important objedl 
 of all our reverence, adoration, and praife. 
 
 " Wherefore fpend ye your money for 
 " that which is not bread, and your labour 
 " for that which fatisfieth not ? Hearken 
 '' diligently unto me, and eat ye that which 
 
 B " is 
 
26 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 " is good, and let your foul delight Itfcif in 
 « fatnefs." 
 
 Alas! how many are there who might 
 have been far advanced on their way to 
 Mount Sion, the holy habitation of the 
 faints' folemnity, nearer that celeftial city, 
 " whofe walls are falvation, and whofe gates 
 " are praife;'* who might have been fuf- 
 tained by the power of his might, but who 
 now are in a feeble flate, and incapacitated 
 for proceeding in an arduous advance to- 
 wards eternal glory. They are turning back 
 again, and are loll in the fields of imagi- 
 nation, in matters remote from their eternal 
 intereil ; but might have become fliare- 
 ers of celeflial wifdom, and have been ad- 
 mitted to tread in the courts of his holinefs. 
 
 " Hearken diligently unto me," fays the 
 Eternal Word, that was before words, 
 and will be when all language fhall ceafe. 
 " Hearken diligently unto me ;" for I have 
 " laid Judgment to the line, and Righteouf- 
 " nefs to the plummet." He will remove the 
 old man with all his goods, and didurb the 
 llrong man armed with a gilded profeffion 
 of the Chriftian name, and at the fame time 
 
 not 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 27 
 
 not pofTefTed of its powerful, heavenly effi- 
 cacy upon the foul. 
 
 " Hearken diligently unto me, and eat yc 
 *' that which is good." 
 
 O! that the attention of mankind might 
 be more folicitoufly engaged in the purfuit 
 of that which is good ; after the glorious 
 benefits of the Chrillian faith : not with the 
 falfe traffic of unfelt truths, but in the de- 
 monflration of the Spirit and with power, 
 may you advance from grace to grace, and 
 from one degree of flrength to another; 
 until your dependence be fixed upon Him, 
 that fills the clouds and empties them at his 
 pleafure. 
 
 We never fliall be eftablifiied as pillars in 
 the houfe of God, never come up in the no- 
 bility and dignity with which he ornaments: 
 his family, until we fhall have got beyond 
 the fuperficial beauties of a name, and be 
 engaged in the purfuit of fabftantial good, 
 in ardent purfuit after divine life. " The 
 " watchmen that go about the city found 
 " me ; to whom I faid, Saw ye him whom my 
 " foul loveth? It was but a little that I pafTeJ' 
 *' from them, but I found him whom my foul 
 " loveth j" and if we find him not, we arc 
 E 2 found 
 
28 DISCOURSES, Szc. by 
 
 found of him ; clothed with wifdom, and 
 with the liability of knowledge. 
 
 Continue this dependent watching ftate ; 
 dependent and watchful upon him in whoiij 
 are hid the treafures of wifdom and know- 
 ledge ; who is not variable like man, but 
 feeks the good of the foul by means of his 
 own Spirit : not fallible like man, for un- 
 changeable and everlafting are the attri- 
 butes of wifdom and croodnefs. Hear then 
 his gracious invitation ; " Ho ! every one 
 " that thirfteth, come ye to the waters, and 
 " let him that hath no money come ; yea, 
 " buy and eat ; yea come, buy wine and 
 " milk without money and without price. 
 '' Wherefore do ye fpend money for that 
 " which is not bread, and your labour for 
 " that which fatisfieth not ? Incline your 
 *' ear, hearken diligently unto me, and eat 
 *' ye that which is good, and let your foul 
 " delight itfelf in fatnefs." 
 
 This was the language of divine wifdom, 
 and remains to be fo ; and I know it is the 
 language of that power that hath vifited 
 many in the days of their diftrefs. 
 
 In the time of their youths when raifed 
 up by a meafure of divine approbation fealed 
 
 on 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 29 
 
 on their minds, tliey were early admitted to 
 an acquaintance with the God that made 
 them ; and they went forth in the fimplicity 
 of the gofpcl, to diredl to the Spirit of Chrift, 
 the hght and hfe of man. They dared not 
 preach other than the truth; than that which 
 fhey had known from the beginning, in the 
 experience of divine aid, and by the aflifl:- 
 ance of the Holy Spirit. They were in- 
 duced to lay afide all hireling teachers ; and 
 to obftruct the endeavours of fach as make 
 merchandize of the word of God. Where 
 this do^rine prevailed, it revived a depen- 
 dence upon KIM alone; not upon external 
 a£ls, but, in attentive obedience to our uni- 
 verfal Parent, an hearkening diligently to 
 the call of God. " Eat that which is 
 *' good, and let thy- foul delight itfelf in 
 « fatnefs." 
 
 May this bo. the happy attainment of your 
 experience ; that your minds may be fruitful 
 in thus labouring to hear the voice that 
 fpeaks " as never man fpoke." It fpeaks 
 home to thy (late, and will be with thee 
 when no eye is near. It will tell thee all 
 that ever thou haft done ; fees through the 
 falfe gloffes put upon ads, and is a diftin- 
 B 3 guiflier 
 
20 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 guiflier of the precious from Ihe vile ; 1: is a 
 voice of approbation to the thirfly foul ; a 
 voice behind thee, faying, '' This is the 
 ^' way, walk in it." 
 
 *^ Little children, keep yourfelves from 
 *^ idols.'* It is the holy Jefus that com- 
 mands our belief. There are many in whom 
 has been raifed a divine third after eflential 
 good, and whom the Lord of all power 
 \vould gracioufly fatisfy with the good things 
 of eternal life, but who are not willing to 
 come under the chaRening of his hand. 
 
 When the idolized obje£ls of fenfe, or 
 any appearance whatfoever amongfl: the fons 
 of men, has obdru^led the manifeftation of 
 their morning light, there is a continued de- 
 fe£lion, both in principle and pra£lice, from 
 the fpiritual dodlrine of faith. I am of fuch a 
 one, I am of this, or the other perfuafion ^ 
 and thus are they profeffing godlinefs, with- 
 out the wifdom and power of God. 
 
 The Author of divine wifdom has im- 
 parted an increafe of flrength to all who 
 trufl: in him, and faithfully depend upon himj 
 but his curfe is gone forth againft the obdu- 
 rate, impenitent foul: and if God hath 
 curled, w^ho flrall blefs ? Therefore " Keep 
 
 " yourfelves 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 31 
 
 ** yourfelves from idols ; " live to hear him 
 that is able to preicrve )^ou. '* Hearken 
 " diligently umo me, eat ye that \vhich is 
 *^ good, and let your foul delight itfelf in 
 " fatnefs,'* is what I wifh for with that 
 ardour that covers my fpirit, for your welfare, 
 the increafe of righteoufnefs, and the promo- 
 tion of Chriflian knowledge. For I have 
 no doubt but he would dill beautify the 
 place of his footftool ; and as this becomes 
 the cafe, you would grov/ up in beautiful 
 uniformity, adorning the gofpel of God, 
 the Saviour of the world, in the midfl of the 
 paths of wifdom and truth ; and thus pro- 
 ceed ^* in the beauty of holinefs, and in 
 " newnefs of life." 
 
 " Add to your faith virtue ; and to 
 *' virtue knowledge ; and to knowledge 
 " temperance : " thefe would have become 
 joined together, but that fome have broken 
 this chain, by adding to their faith, felf- 
 confidence, and unto knowledge, pride that 
 has puffed them up becaufe of their know- 
 ledge. For though it may extend from 
 " the hyfop upon the wall to the cedars 
 *' of Lebanon, " it may yet be the work 
 of an unfan^ified heart: thus many are 
 B 4 grown 
 
32 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 grown great in religious knowledge, and in 
 religious matters, and apprehend themfelves 
 pofTeiTcd of abundant good ; but at the fame 
 time are become as the " hinds and the roes 
 '' of the field;" they have not added tempo- 
 ranee to their knowledge ; not fufficiently 
 obferved the beautiful connecftion there is 
 between thefe two pillars and the refpe^ive 
 places they bear in that holy beautiful 
 houfe of Chridianity, wherein are thefe 
 feven capital pillars, diflinguiflied by the 
 apoille, " Add to your faith virtue, and 
 *' to virtue knowledge ; and to knowledge 
 *' temperance; and to temperance patience; 
 *' and to patience godlinefs ; and to godli- 
 " nefs brotherly- kindnefs, and to brothcrly- 
 '* kindnefs charity. For if thefe things be 
 *^ in you, and abound, they make you 
 *' neither barren nor unfruitful," but fruitful 
 in all things, through the Chriflian know- 
 ledge. May this be the glorious attain- 
 ment of each within the audience of my 
 voice, that have received a meafure of di- 
 vine grace, and is brought to partake of the 
 heavenly gift ; " that your foul may delight 
 " itfelf in fatnefs/' and finally obtain an 
 
 inheritance 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 33 
 
 inheritance in the world to come, and in 
 the eternal fruition of ineffable joys. 
 
 May you, my brethren and fifters in pro- 
 feiTion, with ardour endeavour to lay hold 
 of fubflantial good : you live amongft an 
 inquiring people, who are ailcing the way 
 to Sion, the city of the living God ; and 
 they want that inftruclion, that might pro- 
 perly influence their lives and condufl. 
 The people are defu'ous after good ; their 
 €xpe£i:ations lean towards an enduring hope. 
 You have been abundantly favoured with 
 the vifitation of heavenly regard ; and in 
 the fruition of exceeding joy, have often had 
 to fmg of his mercies, and pronounce the 
 •wonders of his might. 
 
 Alas ! it is a want of charity that wounds 
 the caufe of our profeiTion ; a walking con- 
 trary to the eflablifhed principles has often 
 made heavy work amongfl us, as a Chriflian 
 fociety, as well as an over affiduous engage- 
 ment in the apoftatized fpirit of the world, 
 in its licentious purfuits, or an inordinate 
 love of its pleafures ; in which too many are 
 involved. But I trufl there is a time at 
 •hand, when he will make his " angels fpirits, 
 " and his minifters a frame of firej-*' when 
 B 5 we 
 
34 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 we may be didinguifhed by a more zealoUs 
 a£livity in the caufe of truth, more concern 
 for the promotion of the caufe of God : that 
 through divine power many may have to 
 fay, " follow us as we follow Chrifl." May 
 we thus, as ardent watchmen, fuftain the 
 duties of our day -, may we fteadily advance 
 in the enlargement of divine experience, and 
 as lifted up in eminence of virtue, may we 
 be qualified to anfwer the inquiring foul, 
 " Come up hither, and I will fhew thee the 
 *' bride, the Lamb's wife." This my breth- 
 ren and fillers, is what I wifh for, in order 
 that when the " Great Shepherd fhall ap- 
 ** pear, you may alfo appear with him in 
 " glory.'* May we be enabled fo to adorn 
 the gofpel of God, that we may become as a 
 *' city fet upon a hill," confpicuous in its 
 glorious appearance among mankind. 
 
 But the pra£lij:e of too many has not been 
 equal to their knowledge ; they have grown 
 great and high in religious matters, and at 
 the fame time deftitute of its virtues, or that 
 holinefs and purity religion calls for. Very 
 lamentable is the condition of fuch ; but be 
 ye eflablifhed in the gofpel of godlinefs ; 
 *' gird up the loins of your minds j be fober 
 
 " and 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 35 
 
 " and hope to the end." Let the youth 
 amongfl: us blow the trumpet to thofe who 
 have wandered in " deferts, and in moun- 
 *' tains, and in dens, and in caves of the 
 *' earth ;" may this be the engagement of 
 the rifmg generation ; for great is the caufe 
 of God and his truth. And it is under a 
 fenfe of our heavenly Father's love, that I wifti 
 the enlargement of wifdom, and the increafe 
 of divine experience amongfl us as a people, 
 as well as among all focieties ; and that the 
 kingdoms of the earth may become the king- 
 dom of the holy Jefus ; ellabliihed in right- 
 eoufnefs and peace for ever. 
 
 Suffer me to conclude with an afFe^tionate 
 addrefs to you the rifmg youth. 
 
 Happy would it be, if a conflant folici- 
 tude after the good things of eternal life, 
 was more prevalent in your minds. Would 
 you dip your foot in oil ? Would you inherit 
 eternal happinefs ? Would you be the joy of 
 the prefent generation, and the ftaff of the 
 next ? Would you (liine as the morning flar, 
 and unite with the fons that fhout for joy ? 
 " Hearken diligently;'' attentively hearken 
 to the voice of your Creator ; " Eat ye 
 " that which is good, and let your fouL 
 B 6 *« delight 
 
36 DISCOURSES, Sec. by 
 
 " delight itfelf in fatnefs: " wait upon that 
 power that would prepare, and redeem you 
 from evil ; that leavening virtue, the mea- 
 fure of divine giace, which will leaven into 
 its own nature and fimilitude, in the image 
 of him that made you, wherein you are 
 joined as members in his fanflified church 
 and family. 
 
 Remember that upon you muft fhortly 
 devolve a caufe, greater than the caufe of 
 empires and of kingdoms, or the general 
 ftate of mankind ; that you are to a£i: for 
 God upon earth ; to fliew forth his praife j 
 and as you increafe in years, to mingle with 
 the elder brethren, and confidently with the 
 office of the militant church, to make war in 
 righteoufnefs againft the powers of darknefs. 
 
 May you fteadily run, fo as to obtain the 
 cup of life and falvation, by an uniform ad- 
 vance in the purity of feith ; may you finally 
 be received into endlefs glory. 
 
 A PRAYER 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 37 
 
 A PRAYER, 
 
 Delivered after the foregoing Difcourfs 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, 
 
 THINE holy eye beholds the foleran and 
 awful reverence in which our fpirits bow be- 
 fore thee, O ! Father of infinite mercy and 
 goodnefs, in which thou art pleafed to regard 
 the workman (hip of thy hand ; and from day 
 to day, and oftener than the day, to fill the 
 clouds with fhowers of celeflial bleiTings ; 
 and to vifit, in every fure mercy, the various 
 ftates and conditions of thy children, and of 
 all fuch as look towards thee from the ends 
 of the earth. 
 
 Mod gracious and adorable fountain of 
 mercy ! we humbly befeech thee, in the name 
 and in the fpiric of thy dear Son, to write 
 infl:ru6lion upon all our minds : give us to 
 ponder the excellency of thy loving kind- 
 nefs ; endue our minds with folemn gratitude 
 to thee for all thefe thy mercies,-, and affift 
 
 us 
 
38 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 us to continue in filial dependence upon thee. 
 Bring us home thus, O ! Lord, into a divine 
 connexion with the workmanfhip of ihy holy 
 hand, and to the place where prayer, fup- 
 plication, and giving of thanks, are w^ont to 
 be made. 
 
 Blefs the profeffion of truth,— the Chrif- 
 tian religion, yet in a more general manner : 
 with the knowledge of its truth, humble the 
 hearts of the people in their various flates and 
 conditions of mind ; draw them " into that 
 " whrch is within the veil ;" arife in the ma- 
 jefty of thy glorious power, and fhake both 
 heaven and earth, and all the fubordinate 
 glories of opinion, all the beauties and ex- 
 cellencies of fpeculation. " Open the door 
 " of Lebanon, that the fire may devour her 
 " cedars;" that all the might of opinion, the 
 iuperficial effects of unfelt truths may more 
 and more become removed ; and the foul be 
 gathered to that which is fubftantial, to a 
 dependanee upon Thee, who fpeakeft " a« 
 " never man fpoke.'' Gather us, and we 
 Ihall be gathered to Thee, the teacher of 
 Ifrael, who fleepeO: not by day, nor flumbereft 
 by night. Colle£l us, we pray thee, to thy 
 word of hfe and fpirit j may it defcend as 
 
 dew, 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 39 
 
 dew, and celeflial doftrlne as tender rain ; 
 and make fruitful to thy praife, and the en- 
 largement of our experience and knowledge 
 of thy blcfTed truth, and our humility and 
 reverent walking before thee. 
 
 May it pleafe thee, O God of life, more 
 and more to arife and fpread the virtue of 
 thy life upon the minds of the people ; and 
 in a peculiar manner upon thofe who have 
 meafurably known the day flar of thy righ- 
 teoufnefs to arife in their minds, and yet 
 have wandered in the paths of imagination ; 
 that have meafurably begun in the fplrit, 
 and want to be made perfeft in the flefh. 
 But, O! Lord God of power, arife in the 
 excellency of thy might, and fcatter thine 
 enemies, that they may come up before thee 
 in the " beauty of holinefs and newncfs of 
 " life," in amiable circumfpe£lion as obedient 
 children, ornamented and clothed with the 
 fpirit of righteoufnefs. That thou mayeft 
 yet bring up the church as oilt of the wilder- 
 nefs, and that many may have to fee thy 
 glory and to rejoice in it. 
 
 Thus, O " Father which art in heaven,*' 
 enable us, with the united facrifice of thankf- 
 giving, to render thee the praife that is 
 
 ever 
 
4.0 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 ever due, to hallow thy great and excellent 
 name in the acceptable oblation of humble 
 worfliip to thee our God, and in the view of 
 unfpeakable mercy, to intreat, that " thy will 
 '' may be done in earth as it is in heaven ; 
 " give us this day our daily bread ;" the 
 fuftaining virtue of thy life diffufed in every 
 heart. Let it be the bread of corre(rt!0n, 
 that we may " kifs the rod" of thy hand, 
 and rejoice with trembling ; befeeching thee 
 to " forgive us our trefpalTes, as we forgive 
 *^ them that trefpafs againft us." Let them 
 be blotted out of the book of remembrance: 
 drefs thou our garden, and keep it within 
 the facred inclofure of thy righteoufnefs, 
 which is everlafling life and falvation. 
 
 Be with us in every exercife in this ftate 
 of probation ; help us along by thy heavenly 
 aid. Clothe thy people with thy falvation. 
 Be the defire of the nations, the peculiar 
 glory of thy people : that, lifted up with re- 
 verential fear, we may offer a portion of 
 holy humble w^orihip. It is to Thee, who 
 makeil '^ the clouds thy chariot, ,and that 
 *' walked upon the wings of the wind ;'* it 
 is to Thee, whofe name we cannot fpeak : 
 whofe praife angels cannot fufficiently cele- 
 brate 5 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 41 
 
 brate ; it is to Thee, whom none can com- 
 prehend, O glorious Being, that we lift up 
 our hearts with our hands in the folemn a£l 
 of humble worlhip ; intreating, that with the 
 voice of thankfgiving, we may acceptably 
 fpeak of thy mercy, and afcribe to Thee the 
 praife ; for '^ thine is the kingdom, the power 
 " and the glory, for ever more, Amen»" 
 
 A DISCOURSE 
 
A 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 THERE is a palTage of facred writ, 
 which has been revived in my remembrance 
 during the filence of this meeting, and the 
 train of refledlions which it excited, has 
 fealed inflruflion to my mind, and furniflied 
 me with renewed caufe of humiliation and 
 gratitude. " Men and brethren what (hall 
 " we do to be faved ?" 
 
 Every perfon who ferioufly believes in the 
 exiflence of a God, in a future (late, and in 
 the awful do(ftrine of rewards and punifii- 
 ments, cannot be indiiferent refpedling what 
 may be his lot when he (lull be difpoiTeffed 
 of this frail tabernacle of clay which he now 
 inhabits, and which is approaching to the 
 
 period 
 
DISCOURSES, Sec: 43 
 
 period of Its diffolution. It cannot be a 
 matter of indiiference to him, whether he 
 fliall finally receive the irrevocable fentence 
 of * Go, ye curfed, into the regions of 
 
 * irremediable mifery ; ' or, * come ye 
 « blelfed of my Father, inherit the kingdom 
 ' prepared for the righteous ; enter thou 
 
 * into the joy of thy Lord, and into thy 
 
 * Mafter's reft.' This concern has prompted 
 many to inquire what is eifentially necelTary 
 for them to believe and practice, in order to 
 render themfelves proper objefls of divine 
 complacency, and to furnifh them with a 
 well-grounded hope of a glorious and happy 
 immortality. 
 
 Many of the honefl: and fmcere of every 
 nation under heaven, have formed different 
 ideas of the requilites for falvation ; and, of 
 courfe, have purfued different meafures to 
 accomplifh that defirable end. 
 
 It is not my prefent bufinefs to particu- 
 larize any of thofe various fyftems of faith 
 which are adopted by any party amongfl 
 mankind. It is not to controvert matters, 
 in which fmcere men of the various denomi- 
 nations mod fwrely believe ; but rather to 
 recommend them always to ftand open to 
 
 convidlion, 
 
44- DISCOURSES, 5cc. ev 
 
 convl<flion, and to recommen.l a {[nCi atien- 
 tion to thofe rules of condu<fl which appear 
 lo ihem mod agreeable to the will of hea- 
 ven, 
 
 I fiiail therefore addrcfs myfclf to thofc, 
 hi whatever religions fociety they are found, 
 whofe honeft inquiries have not yet been 
 attended with fuflicient conviiTtion ; have 
 not led them clearly to perceive what are the 
 terms on which their future happincfs de- 
 pends ; and are therefore looking one upon 
 another, whilil this important queflion is 
 found, at leafl, in their hearts, if not in 
 their mouths, " Men and breihr^n^ wh:^t 
 " jQiall we do to beflived?" 
 
 I iliall not prefume arrogantly to di(flate to 
 any refpe^ling matters of fo important a 
 concern as that of the falvation of the foul : 
 every man fhould exercife thofe talents with 
 which the Father of Light haih endowed 
 ,him, in a clofe and fincere attention to the 
 voice of the internal teacher ; and in the 
 difcovery of thofe truths, both pra^ical and 
 fpeculative, which have an immediate rela- 
 tion to the happinefs of a being, circum- 
 (tanced as he is. 
 
 I iliall fimply propofe thofe things which, 
 
 from 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 45 
 
 from my own experience as an individual, 
 appc^ir to me worLliy of God for their 
 author , and worthy of man's mod: ferious 
 attention. It is an indifputable truth that 
 we made not ourfelves ; we may fafely join 
 in the prophet's appeal to God, " We are 
 " thine ofRpring, T/jou had made us, and 
 *' not we ourfelves.'* 
 
 The matter which forms the univerfc, the 
 vehicles which the foul informs, and tlie in- 
 tellectual powers and faculties we poffefs, 
 derived dieir being from the eternal fountain 
 of all power and intelligence ; whom wc 
 chara(^erize by the awful names of Jehovah 
 and God. 
 
 It is alfo clear to me, that we were brought 
 into exiftencc with the benevolent defign of 
 finally fuflaining the confluent dignities of 
 glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life. 
 The Lord Almighty hath in unfpeakable 
 mercy dcfi'^ncd, that after we have endured 
 a feafon of probation on earth, a conflict 
 with our pafllons excited by various caufes, 
 and a fight of afflictions, wc fliould finally 
 receive a glorious reward ; a perpetuity of 
 unmixed felicity, in the unknown regions of 
 eternity. But this defirable end is not to be 
 
 effected 
 
46 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 efic(n:ed by what is generally called Fate, 
 the laws of neceflity, or the arbitrary will 
 and power of the Author of our exiflience. 
 God has conftituted us free and intelligent 
 beings, and endued us with faculties capable 
 of apprehending and pradlifing thofe duties, 
 which he makes the conditions of our final 
 acceptance with him. He offers, but does 
 not impofe, happinefs on his creatures ; he 
 fhews us the fpiritual Canaan ; he gives us 
 power to poffefs it, but does not compel 
 us to enter into it. Good and evil are clearly 
 fet before us, but our ele<^ion is not con- 
 ftrained to either. The Sovereign of the 
 univerfe is no refpefter of perfons ; " for, 
 " of one blood he made all nations that 
 *' dwell on the face of the earth;" they 
 ftand in the fame relation to the univerfal 
 Father, Shepherd, and Bifhop of fouls, who 
 tenderly invites the whole race of mankind 
 to inherit the joy of his falvation. To this 
 doftrine, the holy apoflle bears an ample 
 and explicit teflimony ; " Of a truth," faid 
 he, " I perceive that God is no refpecler 
 " of perfons ; but of every nation, thofe 
 " who fear him and work righteoufnefs, 
 " fhall be accepted of him.'* 
 
 ''If 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 47 
 
 " If ye live after die flefh, ye fhall die : 
 *' but if ye, through the fpirit, mortify the 
 *' deeds of the body, ye (hall live." 
 
 This is a propofition that relates to every 
 individual in the vaft community of mankind, 
 however circumflanced ; whether bond or 
 free, or in whatever climate he refides. All 
 this indeed may be acknowledged, both by 
 thofe within and without the audience of my 
 voice, who yet are in doubt what they fhall 
 do to be faved with an everlafling falvation. 
 They w^ant to be informed of the precife 
 ideas that fhould be affixed to the conditions 
 contained in the text, though perhaps they 
 readily apprehend that the terms life and 
 death imply future happinefs and mifery. I 
 fliall therefore attempt, according to the 
 ability I am endued with, to give you my 
 thoughts on the important fubje6l at this 
 time. To " live after the flefh," is to hve 
 in the gratification of our animal appetites 
 and pafTions, beyond the bounds of reafon, 
 temperance, and fobriety : which, as it fre- 
 quently introduces numerous diforders into 
 the animal fyftem, and aggravates thofe in- 
 firmities to which thefe corruptible bodies are 
 incident J fo it aifefls the good of fociety, 
 
 and 
 
48 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 and renders us unfit for thofe contemplations, 
 and that felicity, which is adapted to the 
 dignity of rational and immortal fpirits ; 
 beings, whom God in his wifdom has made 
 a little (and perhaps but a little) lower than 
 the angels, and would crown with a glory, 
 honor, and happinefs, far fuperior to that 
 which animal gratifications confer on their 
 deluded votaries. 
 
 Whilfl we are in the body, we muft expeft 
 to find thofe appetites, affections, and pur- 
 fuits, which belong to our nature: but thefe 
 are to be rcil:ri(n:ed within the bounds of vir- 
 tue, and attended to in proportion to our 
 exigencies and neceflities ; of w^hi#h the di- 
 vine principle that God has gracioufly im- 
 planted in our hearts ought to judge. This 
 principle of intelligence, although called by 
 a variety of names, is invariably the fame 
 throughout all mankind. It is the fpirit in 
 man, that giveth a right underftanding : it is 
 the light that more or lefs enlightens every 
 man : it is the word of God in the heart ; 
 the word of faith which the apoftle preached 
 to the gentiles : it is the grace that hath ap- 
 peared to all men, teaching them to deny 
 ungodlinefs and the world's lufls ^ and to live 
 
 foberly. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 49 
 
 foberly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent 
 world. Finally, it is the fupreme reafon, 
 the law of truth and re£litnde, the tefl of 
 virtue and vice, which God himfelf hath 
 crefted in the hearts of all men ; and happy 
 are thofe wlio hear and obey it in all things. 
 I would not be underftood to mean, that 
 this principle of which I am fpeaking is de- 
 figned to inftruft us in all thofe truths which 
 the human mind may attempt to inveiligate ; 
 or to give a clear infight into thofe numerous, 
 fpeculative fubje<5ls, which have not only 
 unprofitably employed mankind, and diverted 
 their attention from more fubflanticil ob'jefts, 
 but which have perplexed and divided them 
 from generation to generation. But by the 
 exercife of it we may apprehend thofe truths 
 that belong to us, and have an eflential re- 
 lation to the important end of our exiilence, 
 and be enabled to form a juft judgment of 
 their force and extent j this is plainly im- 
 plied in that queftlon which our Lord him- 
 felf propofed to a people milled by the tra- 
 ditions of their fathers; " Yea, and why even 
 *' of yourfelves judge ye not what is right ?*' 
 Various are our obligations and dutie.>^ 
 religious, relative and fociai; ariCng from 
 c our 
 
50 DISCOURSES, kc. ey 
 
 our various connc^lions, natural and divine. 
 The relation we fland in to the Author of 
 our being is, that of children ; fihal fear, 
 obedience, and worfhip, are therefore our 
 indifpenfible duties to him, throughout our 
 whole lives in our conduft at all times. The 
 relation we (land in to our fellow creatures 
 is, that of brethren ; children of the fame 
 univerfal Father, and formed for the fame 
 glorious and happy end. Juftice, charity, 
 and brotherly kindnefs are therefore our in- 
 difpenfible obligations to mankind. There 
 are alfo various accidental relations, fuch as 
 lather, governor, mafler, fervant, and nu- 
 merous others, all which have their cor- 
 refpondent duties. Thus far, perhaps, the 
 pcrfons whom I immediately addrefs at this 
 time, may concur with me in fentiment ; but 
 they, as well as I, are perhaps confcious of 
 having failed, in numerous inllances, of dif- 
 charging their religious duties to God, and 
 their focial duties to mankind. " We have 
 '' all finned, and fallen fhort of the glory of 
 God :" we have multiplied our tranfgrcflions 
 without number, and our iniquities rife be- 
 fore us as a thick cloud, which obfcures the 
 brightnefs of that eternal Tun of righteouf- 
 
 ncfs, 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL, 5x 
 
 nefs, that would otherwife illuminate our 
 underflandings with its marvellous light* 
 ** Who, therefore," fays the illuminated pe- 
 nitent foul, '' who (liall deliver us from the 
 *' body of this death:" who fliall take from 
 us the weight of our fms under which we 
 inceffantly groan: who fliall fave us from 
 the wrath to come ? " Men and brethren, 
 " what fliall we do to be faved ? 
 
 The conditions of our reconciliation and 
 redemption are very clearly exprefTed in the 
 oracles of facred truth ; the placability of the 
 divine nature is repeatedly afferted; he is 
 reprefented to us in the adorable character 
 of a God of mercy, long fulFering, and of 
 unfpeakable kindnefs ; as a Being ready to 
 blot out our tranfgrelTions from the celedial 
 regifler on our fuicere repentance, and to 
 remember them no more. This important 
 and interefting dodlrine was teffified under 
 the law, fpoken of by the prophets, and 
 glorioufly aiTerted by the Son of God, who 
 is our mediator with the Father, and the 
 hope of our future glory ; in his character 
 was difplayed to mankind, in the moil emi- 
 nent and flriking manner, the provident care^ 
 mercy, and goodnefs of God tow^ard thc 
 v^ 2 whole 
 
52 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 T^'holc rational creation ; who, like fheep, 
 have gone aflray from the univerfal Shepherd 
 and Biihop of fouls, and have widely wan- 
 dered from the paths of purity and holinefs, 
 which are ways of pleafantnefs and peace. 
 That path of the juft man, which (like the 
 luminous orb as it arifes in our hemifpb^re) 
 fhines with increailng refulgency, fplendor, 
 and brightnefs, till it arrives at the meridian 
 altitude of a glorious, perfect day; this path 
 leads all thcfe who purfue its direction by 
 degrees of experience, through the wilder- 
 nefs or this world to the grand and ulcimate 
 end of our creation ; to that complete fru- 
 ition of blifs, which is figuratively reprefented 
 to us by a " city that hath foundations, 
 *' whofe builder and maker God is;** a city 
 whofe walls are falvation, and whofe gates 
 are eternal praife ; a city that hath no need 
 of the elementary light of fun, moon, and 
 flars, for the Lord God and the Lamb are 
 the lights thereof; a city where God reigns 
 triumphantly amongft his faints, and is to 
 them an inexhauftible fountain of light and 
 felicity : there the weary pilgrim finds an end 
 of all his anxiety and labour, and receives 
 
 the 
 
SAxVlUEL FOTHERGILL. S3 
 
 the reward of his faith, the fruition of his 
 hope, even the falvation of his foul. 
 
 The important meiTage -which Chriil had 
 in commiilion from his Father, and our 
 Father ; his God, and our God ; was, tha: 
 he compaflionated his creatures encom- 
 pafled with the didrelFes which their fms had 
 brought upon them ; that he willed not their 
 everlafling feparation from him, the fource 
 of happincfs ; that he was willing they fnoiild 
 be reconciled to him ; he therefore calls upon 
 them to '* repent and be converted," that 
 their fms might be forgiven them, and that 
 they might finally enter into his reft. This 
 was the interefting doflrine which the Saviour 
 of man promulgated ; and happy are thofe 
 who hear and obey it. " Repent and be 
 " converted, that your fms may be forgiven." 
 It is not the affent of the lip and of the 
 tongue to the glorious truths of the gofpel, 
 but a furrender of the will and affe<ftions, a 
 renovation of heart, and conformity to the 
 divine image, which can alone gain us ad- 
 million into the new Jerufalem, the city of 
 God. 
 
 If we take an impartial furvey of our paft 
 
 lives, review our frequent revoltings, and 
 
 c 3 compare? 
 
54- DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 compare our conduft with the convi^ions 
 we have often received of right and wrong, 
 virtue and vice ; there is fcarcely a foul pre- 
 fent but mud feel feme degree of remorfe, 
 iome degree of repentance, for the turpitude 
 of his morals and his want of love, obe- 
 dience, and gratitude, to fo gracious a Father, 
 who has encompaffed us with bleifings by his 
 providence from the carlieft period of our 
 lives to the prefent hour. We mufl, I fay 
 again, upon ferious retrofpe£lion, poflefs 
 fome degree of repentance ; but unhappily 
 for us, thefe profitable impreffions are fre- 
 quently not durable, they are too foon erafed 
 by a variety of creaturely objefls, and pafs 
 away hke the early dew. Thofe who have 
 been cleanfed in fome degree by the water 
 of contrition, are often defiled again by a 
 repetition of that iniquity, which, in the mo- 
 ments of their humiliation, they had deter- 
 mined to renounce and forfake ; they are 
 again caught in the fnares of their lufts, and 
 captivated by thofe obje(n:s which have a 
 tendency to alienate their affeftions from the 
 fupreme Good. Thus, when the force of 
 convi6tion again founds the awakening alarm, 
 they are ready to query, with furprize and 
 
 anxiety. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 5b 
 
 anxiety, what is lo be done in this afHi<flive 
 dilemma, to which our inconftancy to vir- 
 tuous refolutious has reduced us ? Shall we 
 defpair of that divine mercy we have fo often 
 abufed ; of tnat goodnefs we have fo lon^^ 
 trifled with ? God forbid ! rather proilrate 
 your fouls at the throne of grace, and hum- 
 bly implore the continued mercy of the uni- 
 verfal Parent. " As a father pitieth his 
 " children, fo the Lord pitieth them that 
 *' fear him ; for he knoweth our frame, he 
 " remembereth that we are dud." Be- 
 feech him therefore to fend forth help from 
 his holy fanctuary ; that you may be (Irength- 
 ened to renew and keep your covenants 
 with him ; refrain from the commiihon of 
 evil, and wait on him in the filence of all 
 flefh. Since it hath pleafed him again to 
 enlighten your darknefs, and thus to give 
 you to fee yourfelves as you are feen of him, 
 he may aifo be pleafed to inflame your hearts 
 with that celellial fire which purgeth away 
 the intelle6i:ual filth and drofs, that prevents 
 the afcent of the foul God-ward, and renders 
 it an unfit habitation for his holinefs to dwell 
 in. 
 
 As our backflidings have frequendy cor- 
 c 4 reeled 
 
 r 
 
 / 
 
.50 DISCOURSES, &c. bv 
 
 re<^ed us, and covered our mind"? wiiti 
 anxiety, let our future condui^, diredled by 
 his grace, atone for what is palTed ; and, by 
 a converfation ordered aright, let us glorify 
 our Father who is in heaven. 
 
 I feel at this feafon the influence (in de- 
 greej of that celeftial charity which breathes 
 ihrough Immanuel to the whole creation of 
 God, and wifnes falvation to every foul that 
 inhabits the earth ; in which I entreat you, 
 as a being fubjefl to the fame infirmities 
 that you fometimes unavailingly deplore, 
 *' repent and be converted.'* Repentance 
 you have frequently experienced; but too 
 little, 1 fear, of that eiTential converfion 
 which the gofpel of Jefus propofes. It is 
 highly probable that fome perfons prefent 
 have feen the neceffity of that renovation of 
 heart and reformation of manners, intended 
 by converfion ; yet, urged by the powerful 
 prevalence of their lufls, would, if pofTible, 
 find fome other remedy for a wounded con- 
 fcience, than that which the fimplicity of the 
 gofpel requires, as a neceiTary prelude to the 
 favor of God. Like the rich young man in 
 the gofpel, they have been animated with a 
 defire to be enrolled araongft the difciples of 
 
 Jefus ', 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 57 
 
 Jefus ; who are called heirs of God and co- 
 heirs with Chrift, of that inheritance which 
 is incorruptible and full of glory. They have 
 aiked counfel of the wonderful Counfellor ; 
 addrefling him with this important queftion, 
 " What good thing fhall I do, that I may 
 " inherit eternal life ?" Yet when the un- 
 changeable terms of ililvation have been 
 propofed ; when they have been told that 
 they mufl part with all their idols, they have 
 gone away forrowful : the terms have ap- 
 peared too hard for them to comply with, 
 and like the Afiyrian that wanted to be 
 cured of his leprofy, and was daggered at 
 the thoughts af taking fo long a journey as 
 the prophet directed, are ciying out, '* Are 
 " not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damaf- 
 ** cusj better than all the waters of Ifrael ? 
 *' may not I wafh in them and be clean ?'* 
 Thus, numbers amongft mankind are driving 
 to elude thofe raeafures which the gofpel of 
 Jefus enjoins ; and are fubflituting others in 
 their (lead, which are better adapted to footh ' 
 the carnal mind, and prevent that mortifi- 
 cation of the deeds of the body, which hu- 
 man nature (hrinks from. 
 
 Man is defirous to poffefs the crown of 
 c 5 eternal 
 
 / 
 
58 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 eternal life, but not to bear the crofs ; he 
 would indeed reign- with Chrift, but not fuf» 
 fer with him ; he would accompany him to 
 the Mount of Transfiguration, but not to 
 Golgotha ; he would be his attendant at 
 his glorification, but not in the awful fcenes 
 of his humiliation. Divers have wandered 
 •as from mountain to mountain, and from 
 hill to hill, feeking for the living in the fe- 
 pulchres of the dead ; they have fometimes 
 adopted one creed and fometimes another, 
 pra£lifed external ordinances and complied 
 with empty forms, addreiTmg themfelves fre- 
 quently to guides, as weak and impotent 
 as themfelves, with this important inquiry, 
 " Men and brethren what {hall we do to 
 *' be faved?'' I fay again, " Repent and 
 *' b€ converted ;'* for this is the only way 
 to find falvation to your fouls. No external 
 ceremoniies, no verbal confeflions, nor any 
 change of opinions merely, can accomplifb 
 this repentance and converfion, and afford 
 you the confequent reward of a glorious 
 immortality. 
 
 This important work of falvation muft 
 be effe£^ed in man by the powerful operation 
 of the Holy Ghoft ; which is as a confumiwg 
 
 fire 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 59 
 
 fire to the adverfe part in man, to the cor- 
 rupt and perverfe will, which would not 
 that Chrifl fhould reign in his kingdom, 
 and that God fliould be all in all. It is the 
 baptifm of fire, of which John's was but a 
 type, which, difcriminating the pure from 
 the impure, gathers the wheat into the 
 garner, but confumes the chafF with un- 
 quenchable burnings. 
 
 In the world, there are many voices which 
 
 correfpond not with the voice of Chrifl, the 
 
 only true Shepherd (whom we ought to 
 
 hear and obey in all things), but are the 
 
 voices of them that preach for hire, and 
 
 divine for money ; who look for their gain 
 
 from their labours, and are ready to make 
 
 war upon fuch as cannot confcientioufly fup- 
 
 port them. Thefe have found it for iheir 
 
 worldly interefl to lead people from, rather 
 
 than to, Chrifl, the glorious high priefl of th« 
 
 Chriflian rehgion ; they have attempted to 
 
 render that myflerious, which the Holy 
 
 Ghofl hath left plain ; and to perplex the 
 
 underdandings of mankind with vain meta- 
 
 phyfical fpeculatians, without making them 
 
 cither wifer or better. This clafs of men 
 
 c6 h;iv: 
 
6o DrscoiritsEs, &c. b^ 
 
 have Indeed proved phyficians of no real 
 value : inftead of laying the axe to the root 
 of the corrupt tree, they have only at- 
 tempted to lop off fome of its branches ; 
 they have prefcribed emolients where the 
 moft fearching operations were expedient : 
 and thus, healing the wound of the daughter 
 of Zion deceitfully, they have lulled multi- 
 tudes into a fatal fecurity, flattenng them 
 with hopes which mull finally end in difap- 
 pointmcnt. 
 
 There are others who aifume the office of 
 minifters, the purity of whofe intentions my 
 charity will not permit me to difput^ ; who, 
 like a man that attempts to anfwer a queftion 
 before he has fully heard it, have too preci- 
 pitately embarked in the important work of 
 in{lru£ling fouls relative to the affairs of 
 falvation. Thefe are like Ephraim, " a 
 ** cake not turned ;" are not yet inftrufted 
 in the way of the Lord perfeiSlly ; and whilft 
 they are teaching others, had need them- 
 iclves to be taught what are " the firft prin- 
 " cjples of the oracks of God.'* They 
 have run on the Lord's errand unfent, and 
 therefore have not effentially profited the 
 people. They have taken upon them 
 
 to 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 6i 
 
 so guide thofe that are inquiring what they 
 fliall do to be faved, and have led them in- 
 deed from the confines of Egypt ; but leave 
 them (undirefted to the fpirkual Mofes) to 
 wander in uncertainty, and to compafs a 
 mountain of doubts in the wildernefs. May 
 the Lord Almighty, in his mercy, gather 
 tkofe who are wandering as flieep without a 
 fhepherd, and lead them into the facred in- 
 clofure of his fold, into eternal fafety* 
 
 Let it not be thought, from any thing I 
 have faid, that I look upon all thofe who are 
 girded with the linen ephod of other Chriflian 
 focieties, either as impoftors, or the deluded 
 votaries of antichriit. I freely declare, that 
 I doubt not but many of them have had a 
 difpenfation of the gofpel committed to them; 
 and although they may be biafed by the pre 
 judice of education, and the traditions of 
 their fathers, yet the root of the matter feeras 
 to be in them : and I efteem thofe in whatever 
 fociety they are to be found, or in what- 
 ever veftments they are clothed, as my breth- 
 ren in the fellowfhip of the everlafling gofpel 
 of Chrifl. Yet I cannot diredl the fearcher 
 after truth, who is penfively inquiring what 
 he fliail do to be faved, to the miniftry of 
 
 any 
 
62 DISCOURSES, &c. By 
 
 any man; but would rather recommend him 
 to the immediate teaching of the word nigh 
 in the heart, even the Spirit of God. This 
 is the only infallible teacher, and pri- 
 mary adequate rule of faith and pra6lice : 
 it will lead thofe who attend to its d!£iates 
 into the peaceable paths of fafety and of 
 truth. *' Ye need not," fald the apoftle to 
 the church formerly, " that any man teach 
 " you, fave as this anointing teacheth, which 
 ** is truth and no lie : ceafe therefore from 
 *' man, whofe breath is in his noflrils," and 
 whofe exigence is but a vapour : for wherein 
 i^ he to be accounted a fallible being ; he is 
 liable to frequent deceptions, and therefore 
 liable to deceive ; whereas the Spirit of God 
 cannot be deceived, neither will it deceive 
 any foul that yields itfelf to its government, 
 and obeys its di^lates. Oh, ye penitent 
 prodigals, my foul earneflly longs for your 
 refloration to the mercy and favour of God : 
 ye who are reduced, by your wanderings in 
 the wildernefs of this world, to a ftate of 
 extreme poverty ; to the want of that bread 
 that came down from the celefiial regions, 
 which alone can nourifli the foul up to eternal 
 life. Ye who are attempting to fatisfy the 
 
 cravings 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 63 
 
 cravings of an immortal fpirit, with the fplrit- 
 Jefs hulks and ihells of an empty profelTion 
 of religion ; look towards your Father from 
 whom you have revolted : remember that 
 in his houfe there is bread enough and to 
 fpare ; there your fouls may be replenifhed 
 with ever enduring fubflance. Return, O! 
 houfe of Ifrael ! feek the face of your ever- 
 lafting Friend and Father ; he has, in un- 
 fpeakable kindnefs, declared, that he will 
 be found of thofe who feek him in fincerity 
 of heart ; and that as many as knock at the 
 gate of mercy, Ihall be admitted to his pre- 
 fence, and receive the remiilion of their fins. 
 The humble addrefs which the prodigal 
 made to his father, in that excellent parable 
 given us by our Lord himfelf, the father's 
 reply to it, and the manner of his reception 
 into favour, are exceedingly cxprefTive of 
 the becoming penitence of the one, and the 
 mercy of the other. " I have finned againft 
 " heaven and in thy fight, and am no more 
 *' worthy to be called thy fon ; make me 
 *' as one of thy hired fervants. '* The 
 injured parent compaflionates his diftrefs, 
 takes the prodigal in his arms, owns him 
 for his fon, orders the fatted calf to be 
 
 killed. 
 
64 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 killed, and rebukes the envy of his elder 
 brother with " This my fon was dead and 
 ** is alive again, he was loft and is found." 
 O ! the height and depth of the goodnefs 
 and mercy of God. " Look unto him all 
 ♦* ye ends of the earth, and be ye faved.'* 
 
 Before I conclude, I find it in my heart to 
 addrefs another clafs in this meeting ; a clafs 
 which have earneftly fought, and happily 
 found, bim^ of whom " Mofes and the pro- 
 •* phets did write," Jefus of Nazareth, the 
 Emmanuel; which, being interpreted, is, 
 ** God with us.'* Ye who once were fcattered 
 as (heep without a fhepherd, " on the barren 
 ** mountains and defolate hills of an empty 
 ** profefEon;" but now the great Shepherd 
 hath gathered you within the facred inclo- 
 fure of his fheepfold, and you are under 
 the pecuhar prote^ion of the Lord Almighty* 
 You hath he plucked as brands out of the 
 burning, and redeemed to himfelf with the 
 faving ftrength of his right arm ; may you 
 ever remember his unutterable mercy, and 
 dedicate the remaining moments of life to 
 the honour of his name. 
 
 My foul falutes you in the endeared af- 
 
 fc£tion of the gofpel of peace, and wifh^s 
 
 your cftablifhment iu righteoufnefs ; that you 
 
 may 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 65 
 
 may abide in holy patience the fiery trial of 
 your faith, throughout the days of your 
 pilgrimage on earth ; and become as fixed 
 pillars in the ccleftial building, the houfe of 
 God, that {liallno more go out. 
 
 If ye abide in the word of faith by which 
 ye have been taught, neither the malice of 
 men nor devils, nor all the united powers of 
 darknefs, fhall be able to pluck you out of 
 the hand of him who is your Judge, your 
 King, your Protestor, your Father, and your 
 cverlafling Friend. When the earth Ihall be 
 wrapped together like a fcroll ; when the 
 fun and moon fhall be darkened ; when 
 every conftellation of the heavens fhall fink 
 into cverlafling obfcurity, and the elements 
 of this world fhall melt with fervent heat ; 
 you will pofTefs an habitation within the fu- 
 perior regions of a new heaven and a new 
 earth, where the Lord your righteoufnefs 
 dwells. 
 
 Many of the pretended wife, learned, atwi 
 prudent, who have fought to climb up fome 
 other way, rather than enter by Chrifl, who 
 is the door (by the conditions which he has 
 propofed) into the flieepfold, may pity you 
 as fools, or ridicule you as enthufiafls j count 
 
 your 
 
66 DISCOURSES, i<c. by 
 
 your lives madnefs, and your end to be 
 without honour ; but they will one day be 
 aftonifhed at the flrangenefs of your falva- 
 tion, when they may fee^ to their confufioUj 
 that you are finally numbered amongd the 
 children of God, and that the lot of your 
 inheritance is amongfl the faints. 
 
 In the world, you are to expe£l tribu- 
 lations of various kinds ; pain, ficknefs, 
 temptations, and difappointnients, invade 
 the bread of the mofl: righteous and tempe- 
 rate amongfl men ; the cup of mixture more 
 or lefs impregnated with the wormwood and 
 the gall, is the lot of all men, defigned doubt- 
 lefs, to efFe(5l valuable purpofes by him, 
 who affli£ls not willingly, nor without a right- 
 eous and benevolent caufe, the children of 
 men. 
 
 As the heavens are higher than the earth, 
 fo are the ways of Almighty wifdom higher 
 than our ways ; and his thoughts than our 
 thoughts. We fee a little, and but a very 
 little, of the amazing univerfal plan of his 
 government, over rational and immortal 
 fpirits. It is beyond the reach of the mofl 
 exalted human faculties to comprehend his 
 wifdom, throughout the righteous admini- 
 
 ftratioR 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 67 
 
 llration of his Providence, which is unfearch- 
 able : it is our duty, as frail dependent 
 beings, to meet every difpenfation of his 
 providence, v/irh that refignation of fpirit 
 which inceiTantly breathes the humble lan- 
 guage of '"Not my will, O Lord! but thine 
 ** in all things be done." 
 
 Under the evils which we feel, and which 
 our prudence could not prevent, let us 
 rather implore divine aid to endure them 
 with patience, than to pray that they might 
 be moved from us ; lead, hke ignorant chil- 
 dren, we (hould feek to avoid that portion 
 from our heavenly Father's hand, by which 
 he gracioufly defigned to prevent a greater 
 evil. 
 
 This is not the place of your reft, but a 
 a ftace of probation, a painful pilgrimage 
 through a land of pits and fnares. Narrow 
 is the path which leads to the regions of 
 eternal peace. 
 
 The foul, by reafon of its connexion with 
 the body, inclofed within walls of flefli, 
 cannot extend her views, or employ her 
 faculties on divine objects, without frequent 
 interruption. But when the days of her 
 captivity are accompliihed, her powers will 
 
 be 
 
«g DISCOURSES, &c. BY 
 
 be capable of a more glorious expanfion, 
 and of beari-ng the infcription of hollnefs : 
 fhe will then be put in full poireiTion of that 
 joy which is unfpeakable and full of glory^ 
 in the kingdom of Immortality. Therefore, 
 in all the calamities to which we are fubjc^ 
 in the houfe of our pilgrimage, we have a 
 place of refuge to flee to, where fafety is 
 alone to be found ; though indeed we muft 
 feel in degree as men^ yet we may poiTefs 
 the patience, refignation, and holy fortitude 
 of Christians^ who are looking for a better 
 country ; a more excellent inheritance in that 
 city where " the inhabitant fliall not fay, I 
 ** am fick." 
 
 " Be ye fledfafl, unmoveable : always 
 *' abounding in the work of the Lord ; for- 
 '' asmuch as ye know that your labour is 
 *' not in vain in the Lord." 
 
 Be ye, in your feveral flat ions in the 
 church and in the world, as way-marks to 
 the honeft inquirers, who are aiking their 
 way to Zion ; and from a true fenfe of their 
 condition, are crying out, " What (hall wc 
 " do to be faved ? " 
 
 Shew forth by your example of charity, 
 fobriety, temperance, and holinefs pf life, 
 
 that 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 69 
 
 that you are redeemed from the fpirit of the 
 world, that lies in wickednefs ; be not cap- 
 tivated by its trifling amufements, nor in- 
 fnared by its lying vanities, but retain the 
 fear of God which will keep the heart clean ; 
 and prove, a fource of fureft confolation, 
 when all things elfe will be unavailing. Let 
 the purity of you Hves demonftrate, that 
 your attention is fixed on things that are 
 more excellent, that your aife^lions are 
 placed on things permanent and eternal ; 
 effentially relating to the falvation of the 
 foul. By this means you will become the 
 confecrated temples of the Holy Ghofl, and 
 be a means of leading others in the way of 
 righteoufnefs. 
 
 Finally, my brethren, farewell : I recom- 
 jnend you to God, the Shepherd of Ifrael, 
 and to the word of his grace ; as the infal- 
 lible guide to inflrudl us in what we floall do 
 to be faved. It is able to build us up in the 
 mod holy faith j to dire£t our feet in the 
 way of righteoufnefs and peace ; and finally, 
 to put us in pofTefilon of a glorious inheri- 
 tance amongft the faints, that will never fade 
 away. 
 
 A PRAYER 
 
70 DISDOURSES, kc. by 
 
 A PRAYER 
 
 Delivered at the conclufton of a Meeting at 
 Leeds^ 6th Month 26//>, 1769. 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 THOU that fearchefl the heart, and 
 knoweil: what is therein, mod glorious Being! 
 with reverence, and folemn praife we ac- 
 knowledge thine infinite love ; and with hu- 
 mility and awful worfhip, commemorate the 
 gracious continuance of ihy favour ; which, 
 in their refpe<ftive fervices, appeareth in the 
 minds of fuch of thy children and people, 
 as, in the contemplation of thy goodnefs, arc 
 engaged to render the praife to thee alone. 
 
 In an humbling fenfe of thy continued 
 regard, whom the heaven of heavens cannot 
 contain, we proftrate our fouls before the^ 
 Although encompalTed with the cherubim ^ 
 and feraphim, and infinitely exalted above ^ 
 all bleffing and praife, yet doft thou extend 
 thy providential care and ailiilance towards 
 
 the 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 71 
 
 the meanefl of thy family. We are engaged 
 at this feafon to entreat thy continued care, 
 that Zion may arife, and Hft up her head to 
 thee. In thine abundant regard, and tender 
 compaffion, thou art fuftaining the poor and 
 needy ; and, with the glorious manifeftations 
 of thy love, art fupporting the fick and for- 
 rowful foul. Akhough centered on the eternal 
 tribute of holy, holy, holy ! and the hallelu- 
 jahs of glorified fpirits, yet thou art with the 
 humble contrited mind, even in the habita- 
 tions of forrow and diftrefs. To thefe, as 
 well as to the glorious inhabitants of thy ce- 
 leftial kingdom, the fountain of life and fal- 
 vation is opened and revealed, that the fons 
 of men fee, and be enabled to rejoice in thy 
 glory ! In an humble reverent fenfe of thy 
 greatnefs, goodnefs, and mercy, we are en- 
 couraged to approach thee, and to blefs thy 
 great and excellent name ! 
 
 We acknowledge thy kindnefs, and ado- 
 rable condefcenfion in thus fupplying the 
 various wants and neceflities of thy people, 
 who, under a grateful fenfe of thy unfpeak- 
 able love, are engaged in the language of 
 this folemn inquiry. What (hall I render unto 
 
 thee; 
 
72 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 thee.; or, wherewith fliall I approach thee, 
 O Lord of heaven and earth ! 
 
 We pray thee, in the name and in the 
 fpirit of thy dear Son, that an awful, hum- 
 bhng fenfe of thy goodnefs may fpread over 
 this affembly. Turn the minds of the mul- 
 titude to thyfelf ; and unite them in the fel- 
 lowlhip and communion of faints. Thus, glo- 
 rious Father, colleft the attention of fouls to 
 thyfelf ; that for thy mercies pall, in the fru- 
 ition of the prefent, and in the lively an- 
 ticipation of their continuance through the 
 fuccceding Heps of our lives, a cloud of in- 
 cenfe may afcend with acceptance before 
 thee, in the grateful oblation of thankfgiving 
 and folcmn praife ! 
 
 And, O Lord God! thou who inhabited 
 the praifes of eternity, and dwellefl in the 
 light, grant thy holy afliflance, and prepare, 
 we befeech thee, the minds of innumerable 
 multitudes to receive thy truth : that thy 
 church and kingdom may extend from fea to 
 fea, and from the river to the ends of the 
 earth. 
 
 Suffer not any to forget the time of looking 
 upon thee, or to depart from their everlafling 
 intereft, by following after lying vanities. 
 
 Continue, 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 73 
 
 Continue, we pray thee, in thy mercy and 
 goodnefs, the renewed vifitatbn of thy love 
 to the youth. They have been impreiTed 
 with an holy fenfe of thine infinite regard : 
 they have acknowledged thy goodnefs, and 
 the glory of thy power ; and yet they have 
 too much turned afide from following thee. 
 
 Turn thine hand upon thefe, O Lord j 
 enter into judgment with them ; allure 
 them into the wildernefs, and give them 
 vineyards from thence. AfTert thy own 
 right to their obedience, that they may hap- 
 pily be engaged to give up their minds to 
 follow thee. Enable them to difcharge their 
 refpeclive duties acceptably before thee; that 
 through the redemption of thy power, they 
 may become fan^lified velTels with the facred 
 infcription of holinefs upon them. Be near to 
 them in poverty ; enrich them v/ith the gifts 
 and graces of the Holy Spirit, and be their 
 fafe hiding place in the day of advcrfity. 
 Extend, we humbly befeech thee, thy com- 
 paiTionate care to the dull of Zion, that with 
 unfliaken confidence, fixed on the faving arm 
 of thy power, they may lleadily follow on in 
 the way that leads to thy glorious kingdom. 
 When overtaken with anxiety and diftrefs, 
 i> and 
 
74. DISCOURSES, $cc. by 
 
 and die waves of adverfity pafs over their 
 heads, hft up O Lord, the light of thy coun- 
 tenance upon them: hide them, as under 
 the fhadow of thy wings, from the devourer; 
 that the duft of thy Zion may yet arife, and 
 ihine forth in the beautiful orarments offal- 
 vation and praife : that they may increafe in 
 the (lability of wifdom, and knowledge*, run 
 with patience the race that is fet before 
 ihem, and perfevere to a peaceful and happy 
 conclufion In thy favour. Reach, we pray 
 thee, the various ftates and conditions of 
 thofe who are clad in the veftments of felf- 
 righteoufnefs ; involved in the mazes of vain 
 opinions, or centered- in empty and unprofit- 
 able forms. 
 
 Arife in the miniftration of thy grace, 
 which is a miniftration of power, and (hake 
 all that can be (liaken ; in order that thy 
 holy, eternal, unchangeable truth in Chrift 
 Jefus, may more and more fpread and pre- 
 vail in the earth -, that the fouls of many 
 thoufands may be gathered to thee, and 
 know an entrance into everlafting life. 
 
 Thus gracious Father, whofe goodnefs Is 
 infinite and power endlefs, blefs the people 
 we pray thee. Dilfufe with increafing luftre 
 
 the 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 75 
 
 the glories of thy name. Beautify the place 
 of thy feet ; that the innumerable multitudes 
 which thou had formed may, with the voice 
 of thankfgiving, look up to thee, '' our Fa- 
 '' ther who art m heaven!" and in the fen- 
 fible experience of thy mercy and truth, 
 may hallow thy great and excellent name in 
 newnefs of life ; and acknowledge that 
 *' thine is the kingdom, the power, and the 
 " glory, for ever. Amen T' 
 
 D ^ Part 
 
DISCOURSES, icc. 
 
 Part of a Dijcourfc delivered at Grace^ 
 cburch-Jlreet Meetings Londofi, 
 
 By S. FOTHERGILL. 
 
 CONSISTENT with the wifdom of the 
 Holy Ghod, in the firfl: ages of the church, 
 was fuggefled a caution to thofe who had 
 received the do%ine of the gofpel, in lan- 
 guage to this import; " Examine yourfelves, 
 '' whether ye be in the faith ; prove your- 
 *' felves; know ye not your ownfelves, how 
 ^' that Jefus Chrifl: is in you except ye be 
 *' reprobates ?" 
 
 If this caution w'as judged expedient in thofe 
 which are deemed to have been the pureft 
 ages of the Chriftian church, when Jefus 
 Chrifl, and him crucified, had been evi- 
 dently fet before the face of man ; it fhould 
 feem neceffary in this remoter, and more 
 diflant period, to revive this caution j and 
 
 to 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 77 
 
 to put each of us, in an individual capa- 
 ciry, upon attending with proper weight and 
 diligence to a concern which, the expiration 
 of a few fleeting tranfient moments will foon 
 and unquedionabiy convince us, is a concern 
 of everlafting importance. 
 
 As without faith it is impoffible to pleafe 
 God, it behoves us all to examine, with an 
 ardent folicitude, whether we are in the faith; 
 and carefully to coiifider whether a perfua- 
 fion of mind, that k ttierely opinion, has not 
 paifed upon us for that living, divine, fub- 
 ftdntial virtue. There h great reafon to 
 believe, without violation of charity, that a 
 fatul miflake of this kind has been too pre- 
 valent ; and if we examine rightly the diffe- 
 rent properties, the different obligations and 
 cfie^ls of opinion, perhaps (nay it is beyond 
 a perhaps) many amongil mankind may be 
 found, who have reft ed in opinion, and have 
 called it faith : — have reded in a perfuafion 
 of mind, but have not been in the faith. 
 The faith of the church of Chrifl, the faith 
 of God's ele^t, is. and leads to, victory. 
 
 This is a faith that overcomes the world ; 
 opinion is overcome by the world. Faith is. 
 triumphant in its power and in its efte<fts ; it 
 
78 DISCOURSES, &c. bv 
 
 Is of divine tendency to renew the heart, and 
 to produce thofe fruits of purity and holinefs 
 which demonftrate the dignity of its original. 
 Opinion has filled the world, enlarged the 
 field of fpeculation, and been the caufe of 
 producing fruits directly oppofite to the 
 nature of faith. Opinion has terminated in 
 fchifm^ faith is productive of unity. A 
 being baptized by the One Eternal Spirit, 
 into the one living body whereof Chrifl: is 
 the head, is the bleiTed effeCl of that faith 
 once delivered to the faints. Neverthelefs the 
 operation of faith may not be of that pecu- 
 liar nature as to unite, in every circumilance, 
 its various profeiTors ; for the operations 
 of faith are various, and there is an increafe 
 and progreiTive advancement from faith to 
 faith ; yet that faith which works by love, 
 to the purifying of the heart, fpeaks one lan- 
 guage, produces one efFecl, leads to one end, 
 and calls to all ftates and conditions of men 
 in this divine language: *' Ye fhallt>e holy, 
 " for I the Lord your God am holy.'' This 
 is the uniform unalterable language of that 
 faith, which is not a vain unprofitable perfua- 
 lion of mind of certain truths ; fo as to lean 
 upon, and confide in them^ to fubmit to 
 
 them J 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 79' 
 
 them ; and to be influenced by them In the 
 various a£ls of Hfe. 
 
 " Examine yourfelves," all people, of all 
 names, or profeiTions of religion, whether 
 " ye be in the faith/' There are various 
 opinions, there are various perfuafions, by 
 wliich mankind are diftinguiflied one from 
 another. We diflinguifli each other by 7iame^ 
 but the righteous omnifcient Judge dliiin- 
 guidies by nature. He, v/ith whom v;c have 
 to do, knows the (late and condition of every 
 individual ; his eye pierces through all de- 
 ception ; his hand reaches through all dif- 
 tance ; and his balance, the balance of the 
 fan^uary, tries the (late of all minds, and 
 difcovers what is opinion, and what is faith. 
 There have been, and dill are, a variety of 
 opinions concerning the plain, frniple, truths 
 of the Chriflian religion. But if mankind 
 were blefled with hearts difpofed to follow, 
 as much as they are perplexed with heads 
 difpofed to difpute ; if there was a prompti- 
 tude of heart to deeds ^ equal to the prompti- 
 tude of head to fpeculation, all the contrary 
 opinions, all the differing profeiTions, all 
 the difputes and contradi<flions that have 
 iubfiftpd among mankind, concerning the 
 D 4 one 
 
So DISCOURSES, Sec, by 
 
 one unchangeable way to eternal peace, 
 ^vould foon be at an end. They would find, 
 if they were brought to a true faith in the 
 proper objeci:, that the whole or the Chriftian 
 religion, ftripped of the inventions and lulls 
 of men, who have modelled all things to 
 their own corrupt will, is comprized in a 
 few plain, fnnple, fignificant truths. " He 
 " gave himfelf for us that he might redeem 
 " us unto himfelf, a peculiar people, zealous 
 " of good works." I fay, if people were dif- 
 pofed to receive the Chriftian religion, and 
 to fubmit to its pure nature ; if they would 
 attend to it in its beautiful fimplicity, they 
 need not propagate difputes, nor be at any 
 lofs for the manner of performing an accep- 
 table worfliip. For to renew the heart, and 
 to redore the foul, is the bufmefs of Chrifli- 
 anity ; and Chriftianity is for ever equal to 
 this glorious and defirable purpofe. If this 
 is not attained, the grand reafon is, we have 
 miiTed Lhridianity itfelf ; we have only refled 
 in vain and unprofitable opinions concerning 
 religion and religious things, which have not 
 had that influence on our hearts, as to enable 
 us to put off the old man with all his works, 
 and to put on the new man Chrill Jefus. 
 
 Without 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 8i 
 
 Without this, whatever denomination men 
 may be under, however fpecious their pro- 
 felHon, all is imperfeft and unprofitable. 
 It is the power of an endlefs hfe, renewing 
 and reftoring the fouls of men, and conform- 
 ing them to the divine image, with heavenly 
 afFe6lions rifmg from faith to faith, and from 
 gloiy to glory, that is the faving religion of 
 Jcfus Chrift the righteous. And inafmuch. 
 therefore, as there is nothing elfe, through • 
 out the whole extent of nature, that car; 
 form the foul of man to the divine and cclef- 
 tral image, or prepare it for the enjoyment 
 of complete happincfs with the Father, Son, 
 and faints in light, but faith in Jefus Chrift 
 the righteous, it behoves us carefully to 
 examine, not whether we are of this or that 
 profeffion, but whether wc aVe really in the 
 faith ; and have knovv^n him, who is the 
 Author and glorious objcift of the faints faith 
 throughout all generations : to examine, 
 whether we believe in righteoufnefs, nor 
 merely in the enlargement of notions and 
 fpeculations, which con fill in, and refult 
 from opinion ; but whether we have a well- 
 grounded faith that cur hearts are guardeJ 
 by that righteoufnefs ; for if we are not in 
 P 5 the 
 
82 DISCOURSES, Sic. by 
 
 the faith, we are without the court where 
 the face of the covering remains ; we are 
 among the Gentiles, that are to be trodden. 
 under foot ; we are in the outward court of 
 the temple, and in the empty, vain profeiTion; 
 although we make a tranfition, and efcapc 
 from fqme of thofe apartments that are defiled 
 with obvious enormities. This may be the 
 cafe with fome from confliiution ; for I be- 
 lieve there is a conftitutional righteoufnefs, 
 as well as a conftitutional opinion ; but they 
 will both prove unavailing in the folemn 
 work of the foul's falvation. I have feen 
 fome in the courfe of my remarks, who have 
 been ready to blefs themfelves (with the 
 Pharifee) that they were not of that prodi- 
 gal, licentious difpofition, obfervable in many 
 others ; which tends to the ruin of body and 
 foul, the mifery of individuals, and the dif- 
 irefs of families ; which in its nature is con- 
 trary to that faith that w^orks by love, to the 
 complete conformation of the heart to God. 
 Thefe have run into another extreme, and as 
 they were taken up with the world, the world 
 lias taken up them ; and from too clofely 
 following the purfuit of riches, they are 
 equally under the dominion of the enemy of 
 
 all 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 8|i 
 
 all rlgiiteoufnefs, and lodged In one of the 
 various apartments of myftery Babylon the 
 Great, the mother of harlots. 
 
 I cannot but repeat what I have before 
 recommended ; which is, a diligent, impartial 
 fcrutiny into our own hearts : for fome there 
 are who dare not clofe their eyes to^ reft 
 without reviewing the pad actions of the 
 day ; left before the light of another morn- 
 ing they fhould be unalterably fixed for ever 
 in the day of eternity ! 
 
 D 6 Advil. 
 
DISCOURSES, &c. BY 
 
 Advice ta a Toting Couple^ 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 AS you are both young, and it is probable, 
 very probable, may be at times folicitous for 
 your future advancement in life, I would jufl 
 propofe one thing to your ferious confidera- 
 tion, without which no one was ever happy, 
 or any one unhappy with it ; which is, God- 
 linefs : it is the foul's health. Godlinefs is 
 profitable in all things ; it is profitable in 
 health, it is profitable in ficknefs, it is pro- 
 fitable upon a languifhing bed, it is profit- 
 able in death, it initiates us into the company 
 of glorified fpirits, in the boundlefs and bea- 
 tific regions of immortality. And, my dear 
 young friends, I earneflly addrefs you on 
 this occafion, with a degree of the tendereft 
 alFe^lion, fincerely defiring your happy intro- 
 duction therein, when thefe few fleeting mo- 
 ments of your exiflence fhall terminate, and 
 
 you 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 85 
 
 you fhall be fummoned from the ftage of 
 a^ion, to appear before the tribunal of im- 
 maculate purity. You are placed here only 
 as delegated flewards ; as accountable beings 
 to your bountiful Creator for every talent 
 committed to your care ; and your eternal 
 intereft depends on your confecrating them 
 here to his fervice, who created you as vef- 
 fels for his honour, and to whofe guidance 
 and protciflion, I warmly and affectionately 
 recommend you, my beloved friends ; fm- 
 cerely wifhing your eilablifhment and growth 
 in the bleffed and unchangeable truth, 
 through the bounty and favour of our 
 Father who is in heaven. 
 
 Godlinefs is profitable in all things, and I 
 moil earneflly intreat and recommend you 
 to a due confideration of the importance of 
 it : feek a friend in your early days that will 
 never forfake you. For if you apply to him 
 in fmcerity, he will be found of you ; his 
 divine goodnefe will preferve you as in the 
 hollow of his hand, and conduct you through 
 the various difficulties and dangers of a tem- 
 pefluous world to an everlafling habitation 
 i;i glory. Oh ! feek him early above every 
 confideration ; he will be a father and a 
 friend when no terreflial objects can ad- 
 
 minillcr 
 
86 DISCOURSES, &:c. by 
 
 minifter the lead confolation, and every plea- 
 fant pi£i:ure fliall be ftained in your view. 
 Godlinefe is profitable in all things ; it is the 
 fours health, it is the never fading fupport 
 of the righteous under every difficulty, and 
 the fovereign antidote to the evils of life. I 
 could wifh our dear youth were more gene- 
 rally engaged in purfuit after fubftantial 
 happinefs ; that they would cultivate an ac- 
 quaintance with their Creator as in the morn- 
 ing of their day 5 for the fands of life are 
 haflening to a clofe, and the coming of death 
 is approaching with unremitting fwiftnefs. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! what are the riches and fplen-* 
 dor of thefe perifhing fublunary obje£i:s, in 
 comparifon of our everlafting well being 
 hereafter : the one is tranfient, fleeting, and 
 momentary, and altogether uncertain ; the 
 other is permanent fruition of uninterrupted 
 joy and felicity for ever, amongft an in- 
 numerable company of faints and angels, 
 and fpirits of juO: men made perfeft, con- 
 tinuing the inexhaudible theme of praifes, 
 dominion, and worfhip to the fovereign Lord 
 of the whole univerfe. 
 
 I have had to remark, in my travels 
 through divers parts of this city, many loi- 
 tering 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 87 
 
 tering as upon the Ikirts of the camp ; and 
 the fword of Amalek hath deflroyed num- 
 bers. I befeech you, my beloved friends, 
 let your eye be unto godlinefs ; and though 
 it falls not to the godly to be always bleiTed 
 with the affluence of worldly riches, yet you 
 will alTuredly find unfpeakable confolation 
 refulting from the divine favour and good- 
 nefs towards you, which will abundantly 
 counterbalance every worldly coniideration. 
 Be not of tliis world 5 but let your views be 
 directed towards a better country, even a pure 
 undefiied holy habitation ; a houfe not made 
 with hands, eternal in the heavens. Seek 
 not after riches ; fuffer not your attention to 
 be diverted from the purfuit of virtue, nor 
 be defirous after the vain, foolifh, tranfitory 
 amufements of a degenerate age ; for all 
 thefe things will terminate in forrovv and 
 diflrefs of mind, and riches make themfelves 
 wings and flee away ; but godlinefs is profit- 
 able in all things : it will be your fiipport in 
 every trial, your never failing confolation 
 under every diflSculty, and ultimately afford 
 you a comfortable evidence of admifilon into 
 the permanent joys of eternity, in a glorious 
 and unfading recompence, which the Father 
 
 and 
 
88 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 and Fountain of unlimited mercy and good- 
 nefs has prepared for all thofe who diligently 
 feek him. Therefore, my dear young friends, 
 fuffer me once more ilrongly to recommend 
 you, in the early part of your life, to feek 
 the God of your Fathers, the never-failing 
 help of thofe who feek him in fincerity ^ and 
 I will fay this for your encouragement, that 
 though the heavens fhould pafs away, and 
 the earth fliould be removed out of its place, 
 the lofty mountains fhould dilTolve and be no 
 more, yet the promifes of the Lord are 
 amply verified to them that fear him. It is 
 a bleiTmg which makes truly rich, and adds 
 no forrow with it ; it will afluredly attend 
 the humble efforts of a life dedicated to his 
 fervice, adminiiler comfort under every try- 
 ing difpenfation of his Providence, and be 
 your exceeding great reward ; for godlinefs 
 is riches in poverty, and is profitable in all 
 things. 
 
 AN 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 89 
 
 Epijlle to Friends, 
 
 By SAInIUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 IT hath for fome lime lain pretty heavy 
 upon mc to write a few lines to you upon 
 the following account. The Lord in his 
 cverlafting kindnefs (that long drove with 
 my foul) has been pleafed to unflop my deaf 
 car, that 1 might hear him the Shepherd of 
 his flock ; and to open my blind eyes, and 
 let me fee my ilate, as it really was, very 
 dcfperate and very lamentable. He has fhewn 
 TjB^ the dreadful precipice 1 was at the brink 
 of, and breathed into me the breath of life ; 
 in order that I might arife from the dead 
 and hve ; he has fet my fms in order before 
 me, and fhewn me how far I had eftranged 
 myfelf from, and raifed flrong defires in me 
 to return to him, the Redeemer of my foul. 
 The confideration of his kindnefs has raifed 
 in my foul a juft abhorreace of my former 
 pra^^ices^ which induces me to make this 
 
 public 
 
90 DISCOURSES, Sec. by 
 
 public declaration of them, which I defire io 
 do in a few w^ords. 
 
 I know my fins were (o many, and fo ob- 
 vious to every one, as that it is impoflible 
 and necdlefs to recount and remark them ; 
 for I was then as in the bond of iniquity, 
 though it has pleafed the Father of mercies 
 to bring me fmce into the very gall of bitter- 
 nefs, and into anxiety of foul inexpreifible ; 
 yea, not to be apprehended by any, but 
 thofe who have trod the fame path and 
 drank of the fame cup : yet, blefled be the 
 name of God, he who hath kindled breath- 
 ings in my foul after him, would fometimes 
 break in upon me; and though the waves of 
 Jordan have gone over my head, his fup- 
 porting arm was underneath, that I ihould 
 not be difcouraged. He, in his infinite love, 
 has given me to underltand that the things 
 that belong to my peace v/ere not utterly 
 hid from my eyes ; that though I had drank 
 up iniquity as an ox drinketh up water, al- 
 though I had exceeded all others in fin, had 
 long done defpite to him, yet there was 
 mercy with him, that he might be feared. 
 
 Now would I addrefs myfelf to the youth 
 amongft you, in a certain fenfe of the divine 
 
 cxtendings 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 91 
 
 c-xtendlngs of that love wherewith he has 
 loved us, and falute you with fincere de- 
 ilres, that that God which viilted our fathers 
 while aliens and flrangers to him, may be 
 our God ; that we may embrace the day of 
 our vifitation, and not turn our backs of fo 
 great a mercy as he, 1 am fenfible, is daily 
 extending. Oh 1 I have tailed of this love, 
 I have had to celebrate his name, and though 
 unfit for the work, I cannot be eafy, nor dif- 
 charge my known duty, without intreating 
 you to forfake the vanities of the world ; for 
 the end thereof is unavoidable forrow and 
 endlefs torment. But happy are they who, 
 by a timely application, are earneftly feeking 
 the Lord, who will (I fpeak from bleifed ex- 
 perience) be found of thofe w^ho early and 
 diligently feek him ; for he has appeared to 
 me (when I was afraid I was forgot) as a 
 morning wiihout clouds, to my exceeding 
 great encouragement and confolation ; and 
 ftrengthened me in my refolutions to follow 
 him, who had done fo much for my foul. 
 Bear with me yet a little, for I write not my 
 own words : that bleiTed Saviour has laid it 
 upon me, who is willing that all fhould be 
 faved and come to him ; let him, I intreat 
 
 you. 
 
9a DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 yon, have his pcrfe<El work in you ; he will 
 waih you, or cife you have no part in him. 
 I can truly fay that, during the time of my 
 firft convi(fl:ion, my h'ps quivered and my 
 belly trembled, that my foul might reft in 
 the day of trouble. 
 
 I chofc not to write this, but I cannot be 
 c^{y unlefs I call others to the like enjoy- 
 ment. In bowels of tender love 1 again faJute 
 you, and take my leave of you, with ftrong 
 dcfu-es that you who are advanced in years, 
 and favoured with the Lord, may remember 
 me w^hen it is well with you j and that I may 
 be preferved, though befet with temptation 
 on every hand. The Lord in mercy be near 
 you, faith my foul. Farewelh 
 
 AN 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 93 
 
 AN 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 TO 
 
 Friends of the JJIand of Tortola, 
 Written 17th 3d Mo. 1760, 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Dear Friends, 
 
 THOUGH I am perfonally a ftranger 
 2.nd unknown to mod of you, yet ye have 
 been, of late time efpecially, fo frequently 
 the fubje£l of clofe though tflilfl^f^ to nie, 
 and. with fo much warmth, as to dugage m)» 
 mind to vifit you in a colle£tive capacity with 
 this epiftle, from fome apprehenfion of duty, 
 'and with an heart replenifhed with fitrdere 
 good will ; in which, I wifh you the poireirioii 
 of that happinefs which is everlafting. 
 
 It was tiding of great joy to the living 
 body of friends in this land, to hear that the 
 Lord Almighty was at work in your ifland, 
 
 to 
 
^4- DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 to beget children to himfelf -, and that the 
 fame fubflantial virtue which wrought upon 
 this and other nations, to redeem and 
 purify them a people to the praife of his 
 great name, had alfo vifited you with a day 
 fpring from on high, and produced the 
 fame bleffed fruits in meafure, even a death 
 unto fm, and a new birth unto righteoufnefs ; 
 and by the baptifm of the Holy Ghofl, 
 brought them into one fpiritual body, where- 
 of Chrifl is head. 
 
 Oh! the tendernefs, the fear, and the 
 watchfulnefs, which attended fome of your 
 fouls in that day ; a precious day of vifita- 
 tion, vi^hich ought for ever to be remem- 
 bered^ a day wherein the Lord allured fome 
 of you, and brought you into the wildernefs, 
 /peaking comfortably to you, and in his own 
 time gave you vineyards from thence. Some 
 of you, I believe, have in remembrance thofe 
 times of divine betrothing, and cannot but 
 acknowledge it was the Lord's doing. Then 
 the mind was humbled as in the duft, and a 
 hving concern arofe to walk in white, and 
 to enter into covenant with the Lord your 
 God ; a covenant you then hoped would 
 never be broken. In this fimplicity of heart 
 
 the 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 95 
 
 the Lord's children are ever fafefl; Almighty 
 pov/er watching over them for good^ and 
 regarding them with a Father's care. As indi- 
 viduals amongfl: you were thus engaged, the 
 fympathy and fellowfliip of the one body 
 fpread over fea and land, and we became as 
 epiflles written in one another's hearts, and 
 were baptized by the one fpirit into the one 
 body ; wherein is the bond of peace and 
 unity of faints : in this flood our rejoicing 
 on your account, for it is not the accefTion 
 of numbers to our name, but the gathering 
 of fouls to the everlafting Shepherd, which 
 gives joy to the Lord's family in heaven and 
 earth. 
 
 Now, dear friends, is not the dew of your 
 morning at times brought to recollection, 
 and its heavenly relifh remembered? Yet 
 hath not a lofs fenfibly attended you, and 
 the once promifmg plantation amongfl you 
 become lefs fruitful and beautiful ? If fo, 
 where fhall we inquire for the caufe ? We 
 fhall not find any deficiency in divine com- 
 paffion, but the lofs hath been occafioned 
 by a negle£l to follow on to know the Lord 
 in his own way and leading ; and a depar- 
 ture in heart from him hath enfued, whereby 
 
 the 
 
96 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 the work hath been marred ; and that good- 
 uefs, wherein the holy unchangeable One 
 would have eftablifhed you, and have rendered 
 a permanent blefling and beauty to you, hath 
 been, to too many, as a morning cloud j and 
 as the early dew it hath foon palled away. 
 Such ever was the confequence of unfaith- 
 fulnefs to the difcoveries of the pure light ; 
 w^eaknefs, revolt, and backfliding have en- 
 fued ; and when people have forfaken the 
 fountain of living waters (which is open for 
 fan^ifkation and refrefhment), all their la.- 
 bour arkl inventions have been as broken 
 ciilerns that can hold no water ; and tl^ 
 latter end of fuch, unlefs they return and 
 repent, will be worfe than their former unen- 
 lightened ftate. Bear with me, dear friends, 
 in tliis freedom ; my foul longs for your help 
 and refloration : that by and through you, 
 the great Name may be exalted in thofe 
 iilands ; and that part of the iord's foot- 
 ilool may become glorious. Let, I befeech 
 you, the feeming foremoft rank amongft you 
 look clofely to thei-r own fteps, and confider 
 carefully whether they have not by fomc 
 means contributed to the general decay of 
 lively zeal and care, through their own de- 
 
 clenfion 
 
SAMUEL i OTHERGILL. 97 
 
 clenfion and lukewarranefs ; for it is raofl 
 certain, that the faithfulneft or unfaithfulnefs 
 of this rank, hath a very great influence over 
 young and tender minds, as well as over 
 thofe who may be more advanced in years 
 than experience, and yet who are not void 
 of a fecret rehfh for heavenly matters. Re- 
 turn, therefore, I befeech you, Oh! ye chiefs 
 amongfl: the people, to your firfl love, and do 
 your firfl works, left greater defolation en- 
 fue ; and left he who walketh in the midft 
 of the feven golden candleflicks, come unto 
 you quickly, and remove yours out of its 
 place ; for why fliould the candleflick re- 
 main, when the light and lufrre of the 
 candle are extinguifhed ? 
 
 And, dearly beloved friends of the rifing 
 generation, and ye in the prime of Hfe, 
 fulFer, and receive the word of exhortation 
 from one who tenderly loves you ; remem- 
 ber your Creator and your Judge ; let not 
 the foolifli amufements, or vain converfa- 
 tion of this world prevail, to turn you afide 
 from your great and everlafting interefl ; re- 
 member there is not any thing of this world 
 that can lay the foundation of eternal peace. 
 It is an earneft humble feeking after the fanc- 
 E tifying 
 
98 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 tifying hand, and fubmiilion to its virtue, 
 which cr.n alone fafliion you as vefTcls of 
 honour, and fit you for the heavenly king- 
 dom ; cherifli the fecret drawings of divine 
 love ; be not afhamed of its tendering, re- 
 ftraining efFc£ls ; ^vhy iliould you fell your 
 fouls for a thing of nought ? For fuch will 
 be the fmiles and frowns of this world in a 
 day that is haftily approaching. Let' not 
 therefore the evil example of others, nor the 
 reproach of the fcornful, prevail to your 
 hurt ; but retain the fear of God, which will 
 keep the heart clean, and be an excellent 
 enduring treafure when every thing elfe fhall 
 vanifli as a vapour. And it moll certainly 
 behoves you, friends, who are natives of 
 this land, and have had your education 
 amongft us as a people, and been frequently 
 diredled to the heavenly monitor, to walk 
 with great circumfpeflion. Ye are amongft 
 a people who have been made partakers of 
 the like precious faith with us, principally 
 through the immediate reach of a divine 
 hand. Will not their eyes be turned to 
 look at your condu61:, and to obferve the 
 fruits of your faith, by its prevalence in 
 your lives and converfation ? And if, in- 
 
 flead 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 99 
 
 fl-ad of the blelTed fruits of righteoufnefs, 
 the contrary fliould appear, and your con- 
 duct be the means of flumbling to any, and 
 evil liberties be purfued by you, to your and 
 others hurt ; to fuch I teftify, in the name, 
 and under an awful fenfe of the authority of 
 the Moft High, it had been better for them 
 never to have known the w^ay of righteouf- 
 nefs. Heavy, very heavy, will be the weight 
 of the complicated guilt of their own tranf- 
 greiHons, and the tranfgreflions of others 
 made worfe by their example. Woe from 
 a righteous and dreadful God to thofe, by 
 whom fuch offences come. 
 
 I make no doubt bur there is amon^ft 
 you an hcneil: {ced ; an afilicred and poor 
 people ; fome of the Lord's poor, who re- 
 tain in fome good degree their firft lo7e, and 
 bewail the hurt of Sion. I befeech fuch to 
 ftand fall in their own lots, to abide in the 
 faith and patience, to be fober and hope to 
 the end : though the times are gloomy, the 
 outgoings of the morning are of God ; and 
 he can, and will in his own time, caufe the 
 wildernefs to become a fruitful field. Look 
 no: too much at the declenfion of others, 
 Ic^ voMr f:'i^h Oiould nul ; h^- ([cdMh look 
 ^ : to. 
 
100 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 to, and follow on to know, the Lord Al- 
 mighty who remains for ever ; the defedion 
 of multitudes can by no means impair his 
 unchangeable truth and righteoufnefs. In 
 a fenfe of the frefli extendings of ancient, 
 all-fufficient help, I mod tenderly and af- 
 feclionately falute you. May the fcattered 
 amongft you be brought home, and the neg- 
 ligent be roufed to diligence, whiKt yet a day 
 continues ; let the terfder breathings dill re- 
 maining be cheriflied, that they may gather 
 flrength, and enter with holy prevalence 
 the ear of the Lord and Father of his 
 people. 
 
 This is the fmcere prayer of one con- 
 cerned at heart for your refloration and 
 liability in righteoufnefs and peace for ever. 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. loi 
 
 EPISTLE 
 
 TO 
 
 Friends of Penketh Meeting, 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Nantucketp 28th 6th Mo. 1755. 
 Dearly beloved Friends, - 
 
 IN the fenfible renewlngs of that melting, 
 humbling love, which hath often bowed my 
 fpirit and yours in reverent holy worihip, 
 when prefent with you, do I afFedionately 
 falute the truly living amongft you, as prefent 
 in fpirit, though, for the caufe of truth, far 
 feparated in body ; yet by no means lefs 
 inwardly anxious for your eftablifhment in 
 the unchangeable truth, than when prefent 
 amongft you, and engaged in labour for 
 your help and growth into your feveral mea- 
 fures of the fullnefs of Chrift. In which 
 true love my fpirit hath often fecretly reached 
 towards you, and of late with that unreferved 
 E 3 opennefs. 
 
1C2 DISCOURSES, ^c. BY 
 
 opennefs, as to allow me at lead: a liberty to 
 falute you with a token of love unfeigned. 
 
 Firfl: to you, my beloved friends, partakers 
 of the heavenly calling ; who have furely 
 known him in whom you have believed, and 
 been made witneiTes of his powerful refur- 
 refiion unto life ; my foul is at this inftant 
 bowed with and for you, that nothing may- 
 be admitted to weaken your hold, or di- 
 miniih your following on to know him, and 
 his work, who hath made his voice known, 
 and his holy arm bare for your help. I have 
 feen the fnares laid in your way ; the love of 
 the world, and the indolent reft, in the re- 
 membrance of former favour ; together with 
 the ftrong touches of heavenly help, which 
 have been confidered as marks of appro- 
 bation of your prefent ftati?, rather than 
 what the Lord Almighty intended them for ; 
 even ftrong inducements to follow on to 
 know him. This fatal miftake hath fome- 
 times led the truly vifued into a partial 
 work, and centred them in a falfe refl: ; in a 
 low and dwarfiih weak (late, fubjcift to fre- 
 ,quent failures and bruifes, which have eclipf- 
 ed and dimmed the beauty which the Lord 
 of the heritage would have indued you with* 
 
 Therefore, 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 103 
 
 Therefore, beloved friends, wait for and 
 fubmit to the lliaking, loofeniiig power, 
 which would lead from the unnecelTary em- 
 barralTments of this world j for fuch are 
 thofe which lead to forget God. Follow 
 faithfully to Bethel, to Jericho, through Jor- 
 dan, and to the lafl vifion of the heavenly 
 melTenger ; fo fhall a double portion of the 
 fpirit reft upon you, and the name and caufe 
 of the highed be magnified, your own trea- 
 fures enlarged, and thofe who are behind 
 encouraged, by your example, to diligence 
 and fleady care to poflefs the like durable 
 inheritance. 
 
 On the contrary, where negligence and 
 weaknefs, through a worldly fpirit, prevail 
 amongfl: the feeming foremod: ranks, it en- 
 courages in undue liberties, relaxes neceiTary 
 care after their own help, and is a (tumbling 
 block in the way of the weak ; vvho gladly 
 admit of thefe difcouraging profpee%, as 
 they flatter their own negligence, and fpeak 
 a language calculated to indulge them in 
 their remilTnefs fuitably to labour for hidden 
 treafure in their own poflelTion. Let there- 
 fore the word of exhortation be received 
 by you, to ftir up to an increafe in faithful 
 E 4 obedience ; 
 
i04 DISCOURSES, S<c. by 
 
 obedience ; ever bearing in your remem* 
 brance the loving -kindnefs of the Lord 
 of fore mercies and its end, even your own 
 cdablifhinent, and the help of others by- 
 your hving example ; that you, being faith- 
 ful followers of him who hath entered into 
 reft, may fay to others, ' Follow me as I 
 " follow Chrift.' 
 
 And I am R-lly aifured that the reverent, 
 honeft, travellers amongft you, to whom my 
 fpirit is fecretly united, will not be over- 
 looked. Although they may have penfively 
 to mufe in the roll written v/ithin and with- 
 out, lamentation, mourning, and woe, he 
 who has bowed the heavens, and come 
 down for the help of his own feed, will not 
 turn away his holy ear from* their requefts, 
 but fpeedily arife for their fure deliverance. 
 
 You alfo, my friends, who are not fo 
 fenfibly united by a birth from the immortal 
 feed to the true family as I have often 
 begged for you, have a place in my remem- 
 brance ; and an affectionate concern that 
 you might be prevailed with to work while 
 it is yet day with you, and be excited to 
 feek after the one thing : a folemn approach- 
 ing hour will convince you that it is abfo- 
 
 h.nely 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 105 
 
 lutely needful for peace and reft for ever. 
 How long hath the gracious hand been ex- 
 tended for your help ; even all the day 
 long, until the evening has drawn near, and 
 his locks have been wet with its dews ; un- 
 willing to leave, and gracioufly mindful of 
 you. Oh ! that none fuch may furvive the 
 extending of the bleifed arm of all-fubftantial 
 flrength, and remain in advanced life as trees 
 twice dead and plucked up by the roots ; re- 
 ferved for Topbet, prepared of old for thofe 
 who forget God. 
 
 And oh ! that the youth amongft you, to 
 whom even Dives' defire for his brethren, 
 that one might be raifed and fent from the 
 dead to warn them, hath been granted, of 
 which I am a living monument, might be 
 roufed in every heart to feek carefully after 
 their own intereft, and to ftudy betimes thofe 
 things which can alone make their lives truly 
 comfortable, and enable them to fill up their 
 effential duties here, and reft in peace at the 
 folemn approaching conclufion. Whatever 
 place it may now have with you, fatisfied I 
 am you have been eminentry favoured; and line 
 tipon line, precept upon precept, have been 
 given, in the fpreadlng of gathering love and 
 E 5 mercy. 
 
io6 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 mercy, which my foul craves your reverent' 
 remembrance of, to your profit ; for they 
 will not fall to the ground, but remain as 
 profitable direction to the right minded, or 
 a dreadful hand -writing upon the wall 
 againft the rebellious and negligent. For 
 thus, even now, faith the Lord Almighty, 
 refpetfling the iifue of his word, to his vifiied 
 people, as of old, " As the rain cometh 
 ** down and the fnow from heaven, and 
 ^* returneth not thither, but watereth the 
 *' earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, 
 *' that it may give feed to the fower, and 
 *^ bread to the eater : fo fliall my word be 
 ** that goeth forth of my mouth : it fhall not 
 '' return unto me void, but it fhall accom- 
 " phfh that which I pleafe, and it fhall prof- 
 " per in the thing whereto I fent it.'* 
 
 Oh ! therefore, dear young friends, be 
 warned in time, to bow in heart to this 
 word, that you may know it to be a word 
 of fure comfort in a day when nothing elfe 
 can fpeak peace to the foul; and that through 
 its' fanftifying virtue, you may be made 
 velTels of honour in the houfe of God : that 
 the labour frequently and affeflionately be- 
 ftowed upon' you, may not be in vain to any 
 
 among 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. ic; 
 
 among you. I am fenfible there are good 
 defires at times prevalent in fome of your 
 minds ; but, alas ! often weakened by the 
 hurtful things which are fpread as fnares in 
 the path of youth, and which often endanger 
 the unwary, carelefs mind, and lead it into 
 certain deftru6lion : but there is an All-fufH- 
 cient Hand, able and willing to diredl and 
 fupport in all perils, and to condufl fleadily 
 and fafely to that durable polTeilion, which 
 is referved for thofe of all ranks and every 
 age, who feek diligently by faith and patience 
 to inherit glory. 
 
 I have, on my own account, caufe of re- 
 verent worfhip for the continuance of daily 
 fupport, proportioned, not to my deferving, 
 but to the abundant condefcenfion of a gra- 
 cious God ; who hath every way helped me 
 inwardly and outwardly in this laborious 
 fervice, and hath fup plied with wifdom and 
 flrength to labour to fome fervice, and my 
 own great peace, in humble reverent truft 
 in his unchangeable love and help, which 
 hath not yet failed. So that I have often 
 with a foul inwardly m.elted before the 
 throne of grace, admired his goodnefs, and 
 had to acknowledge his unutterable kindnefs 
 E 6 and 
 
io8 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 and mercy in engaging my heart to devote 
 the bloom and flrength of my life to his fer- 
 vice, who is ever worthy of love, obedience, 
 and the tribute of a devoted heart. Amen, 
 Amen. 
 
 Thus, beloved friends, the yearning of an 
 alFeflionate heart reaches to you, and craves 
 for you fure help in the way of righteouf- 
 nefs and peace ; that if I be reftored again 
 to you, there may be a fenfible increafe and 
 growth j that you may be a joyful profpeifl 
 to me ; and that my return, if permitted, 
 and of which I have a fecret hope, may be 
 to you in the fullnefs of the gofpel of peace, 
 and not with forrow and diftrefs on your 
 account. 
 
 The everlafling, holy, and unchangeable 
 God of all comfort be near you, to ftrengthen 
 that which remains alive and fhould live, to 
 fupport you in every difficulty, and preferve 
 you as a well fenced and frequently watered 
 garden, is the prayer of your true friend 
 and well-v/ifher. 
 
 LETTER 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 109 
 
 LETTER 
 
 To a Friend, after the Deceafe of her Hufband, 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Warrington. 
 IT hath, my dear friend, been my frequent 
 defire to him who hath the hearts of all men 
 in his hand, that he would give mc a fym- 
 pathifing mind ; and the efFeft of varied ex- 
 ercifes in the courfe of my pilgrimage, hath 
 been fo far rendered ufeful (through gra- 
 cious help) as to obtain my earned wifh ; 
 and in this fympathifmg fenfe I have dropped 
 the tribute of a tear to the memory of thy 
 dear hufband, now no more, and that ' of 
 afFe(fi:ionate condolence with thee who feel eft 
 nnfpeakably the dilTolution of the mod ten- 
 der tie. Religion authorifes, as well as na- 
 ture, to feel deeply on fuch occafions ; it 
 cannot be culpable in the fight of the Author 
 of our being ; for if the holy Jefus wept for 
 Lazarus his friend, fhall the tears of the 
 
 widow. 
 
no DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 widow, poured forth on the removal of a 
 mod aiFe6lionate hufband, an agreeable com- 
 panion, with whom fhe has had fweet fociety, 
 and in whofe company fhe has gone up to 
 the houfe of God, be oifenfive in the fight 
 of him who well knows our frame ? I think 
 not, if an humble labor after acquiefcence to 
 the fovereign difpofal cover thy anxious, 
 pained mind. 
 
 As a man, I feel and view with forrow 
 the mighty chafm his removal hath occafioned 
 in various ufeful relations ; my own partis 
 cular affe^lion hath loll a pleafmg obje(5l o£ 
 its attachment ; and the circle of my mod 
 near conneflion in pure friendfliip is painfully, 
 invaded. Yet, my friend, let us look on the 
 other fide of the queftion ; for whom are 
 we affliified, — one now for ever free from, 
 it : — recolle£i: his memory, it is precious 'y 
 his. condu^l in every ftaiion was uniform ;. 
 he hath left this world crowned with the 
 diadem of religion and virtue, and is gone 
 before us, and fooner than Vv-e wilhed it, 
 to the reft of fouls ; and out of the many, 
 intricate mazes through advanced years and 
 old age, by a fhortcr pafTage, to the new 
 jcrufalem, than many others are exercifed 
 
 in. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. ni 
 
 in. Endeavour therefore to fubmit to the 
 difpofal of him who well knows what is bed 
 for us, and will ever promote it with a wife 
 and fatherly care ; if we, as dutiful children, 
 ^Tcifs the rod, and cad our care and confi- 
 dence upon him. May thy mind be flayed 
 in holy quietude, and thy hold confirmed 
 in that All-fufficiency, wherein all the de- 
 ficiencies attending mortals may be mad^ 
 up. Walk thou before this everlafting 
 helper, in (teady obedience, and he will be 
 thy fun and thy fhield. 
 
 To 
 
XI2 DISCOURSES, &c. bv 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Warrington, luhMo. 20, 1750. 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 I received in Dublin a letter from thee, 
 "wlaich gave me fatisfa^lion. I rejoice in this, 
 that the Lord of heavea and earth is vifiting 
 by his truth, and v/orking by his power, to 
 beget into his heavenly family ; and to blefs 
 his people with that which conveys all the 
 happinefs mankind ever did, mufl now, or 
 hereafter can talle. Too many are infen- 
 fible of it, and others are too lazy to be 
 religious as they ought : but it is our own 
 interefl to purfue our own peace, and to 
 tranfmit to others examples, how great and 
 excellent a thing it is to be true fubjefls of 
 Chriil's kingdom, baptifed into his nature 
 and therein to abide. Great has been his 
 mercy in vifiting our fouls with his bleffed 
 truth ; and it highly behoves us to watch 
 with all diligence, left we render it fruflrate. 
 
 This 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 113 
 
 This is our duty; to look to him daily: this 
 comprehends all ; here is our ftrength and 
 fafcty ; other flays on temporary helps will 
 fail, and leave us dellitute and inwardly lean. 
 G ! therefore remember often the dew of thy 
 youth, the tendernefs of thy heart when firfl 
 met with ; cherifli in thy foul the frefh in- 
 ftances of regard, and be it thy care inwardly 
 to look and live to the Lord ; fo fhall thy 
 hand^ be made flrong, and thy head kept 
 above the waters. 
 
 There is a fpirit that is gone forth into 
 the camp, and is fplendidly delufive; it de- 
 lights in good words and feeds upon them ; 
 it cries out, help, help ; but principally to 
 the fervants, and not to the mafter. This 
 fpirit leads into notions ; it fmuffs up the 
 wind, and lives on the commotions itfelf 
 raifes; all that are led by it are fuperficial, 
 and know nothing, and muft lie down in 
 forrow. That holy fpirit which was, and is 
 the ground of Truth for ever (which I 
 trufl: has reached thy heart) is a fubflantial, 
 operative principle j its dire^lions are not 
 imaginary, nor its doiflrines loofe and inde- 
 terminate; but it is as light and life to its 
 poflefTors, and caufes them to inherit fub- 
 
 ftance ; 
 
114 DISCOURSES, kc. by 
 
 ftance; it teaches accefs in heart to that 
 God, whofe attributes cannot be defined, 
 fully, but which experience teaches : it fup- 
 plies their wants, fupports their iieps, and 
 opens their underftandings into thofe divine 
 truths that are higher than human wifdom : 
 let this fpirit be leaned upon above all, this 
 will help us to Hand upright, and walk fleadily 
 in the faith delivered to the faints. Retire- 
 ment will be pleafant in meetings and out of 
 meetings; the inward feeling of divine power 
 to live and a6t to God's honour, and our 
 own prefervation, will be dear and precious 
 to us; and he that delights to hear the 
 language of his children, will not be ilack in 
 the performance of his gracious promifes. 
 
 I found the free falutation of pure love 
 in my heart towards thee, and earneftly 
 intreat thee to abide fledfaft in the truth ; 
 feel after it, live in it, hope for its falvation, 
 and it will never fail. I falute thee in the 
 love and affedlion of Chrifl, our holy and 
 blelTed helper. 
 
 T9 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 115 
 
 To 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Tenth Mo. Qth, 1771. 
 Elleemed Friend, 
 
 My flrong defires for thy welfare have 
 frequently fuggefted a few fentiments, which 
 engagements, or indifpofition, have prevent- 
 ed my intimating to thee, and this further 
 confideration hath fometimes prevailed j what 
 can I fay to him which he knows not, either 
 with refpedl to his prefcnt, or future well- 
 being; is there a truth conducive to either, 
 of which I may not fay he is acquainted ? 
 The opportunities of information outwardly, 
 and the impreilions of eflential truths in- 
 wardly, have precluded every plea of igno- 
 rance of duty, and of what makes for peace. 
 But carefully remember, I befeech thee, that 
 bleffednefs confifteth not in knowledge; " Ye 
 *^' know thefe things, happy are ye if ye do 
 *' them ;'' my foul feeks earneftly that the 
 
 blefling 
 
lid* DISCOURSES, &c. BY 
 
 bleffing of faithfulnefs may accompany the 
 privilege of knowledge; otherwife the greater 
 will be the condemnation of the unfaithful. 
 
 Thofe who feek wifdom and divine know- 
 ledge, and defire to be wife unto falvaiion, 
 may in themfelves find the flowings of that 
 river w' hich makes glad the whole city of 
 God. O ! feel after this in thy own heart, 
 to preferve ihee amongft the few names in 
 that Sardisy that thou mayeft be kept> more 
 and more helped to w^alk in white, to thy 
 own peace and odiers help. Remember the 
 inftrudlion of that awful query, " What is a 
 *' man profited if he gain the whole world 
 ** and lofe his own foul ?" 
 
 I moft fincerely defire thy welfare, and it 
 is only as thou keepefl near the eternal pre- 
 fcrvliig power,, that thou cand fare well. 
 
 To 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 117 
 
 ^Q ..» — on the Death of her Danghter<, 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 MY mind liath deeply partaken with thee 
 and thy children upon the prefent very af- 
 fli£i:ing circumftance of the removal of thy 
 daughter. The breach of fo tender a con- 
 nexion cannot fall of producing deep forrow 
 in a mind much lefs fufceptible of tender im- 
 preffions than thine ; and I really fympathize 
 with thee in thy prefent lot. But, dear 
 friend, when we refle£l upon the amiable 
 endearing qualifications of deceafed relations, 
 thefe *ite additional motives for us to bemoan 
 our lofs'; yet as they thereby are prepared 
 for a reding place beyond the bounds of 
 forrow and calamity, the inducements to 
 •grief may be wifely coufidered as its alle- 
 viation. The debt to nature muft be paid ; 
 we are tranfient fojourners in a world of 
 .probation and exercife, and ought not ro 
 
 repine 
 
if8 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 repine if it pleafe the Author of all wifdom 
 and mercy to bring to a glorious rcfl by a 
 ihorter path than a long fuccellion of weary 
 painful fleps through the weaknefs and af- 
 fliction that often fill the cup of advancedV 
 years. I know there are in the prefent cafe 
 circumftances that aggravate the lofs ; a fa- 
 mily of young children (tripped of an af- 
 fectionate mother, of the prudent Chriftian, 
 to form their tender minds to virtue and re- 
 ligion, and of a good example to walk before 
 them in the road to happinefs ; but there is 
 an all-fufiiclent hand of power able and 
 willing to guard and protect in every ftate ; 
 and the offspring of the faithful fliare in its 
 gracious offers, in a fmgular degree. 
 
 I remember with warmth fome of the laft 
 prophetic expreffions of my honoured mother 
 to her afflicted hufband, my dear father, re- 
 fpeCting him, his children, and herfeJf , 'Thou 
 
 * wilt be bleffed, they will be cared for, and - 
 
 * there is a place provided for me. They will 
 
 * not be left under the tuition of a father 
 
 * who, like too many now a days, will ncgleCt 
 
 * their trueft intereft ; but one who knowing 
 
 * whence every good comes, will feek, I truft, 
 
 * with proper care to the gracious all-fuf- 
 
 ficient 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. xi^ 
 
 * ficient Father for himfelf and for his ofF- 
 
 * fpring. ' Thou, dear friend, haft largely 
 partaken of aflliftions ; many have been thy 
 bitter cups ; and this, in the dechne of life, 
 itiufl be indeed exceedingly hard ; but I bc- 
 feech thee to remember who it was that 
 delivered in the fixth, and rell in a humble 
 hope he will not forfake thee in the fevcnth 
 trouble. 
 
 To 
 
120 DISCOURSES, &c. BY 
 
 To , a/ier her Marriage. 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Warrington. 
 Dear Friend and Kinfwoman, 
 
 AMONGST the many friends who feel 
 wiflies for thy happinefs, none defires it 
 with more fmcerity than myfelf, though more 
 filent about it than fome others ; and as a 
 tefLimony of it I fit down to throw before 
 thee a few hints which may contribute to 
 thy advantage if attended to ; even to render 
 thy hfe eafy and happy, and ufeful to others, 
 and thine end honourable and peaceful. 
 
 Firfl, and principally, thy duty to the 
 Almighty Lord and Maker of all things ; in 
 whom, and through whom, all things confiflj 
 the Sovereign Author of all bleffings. Let 
 Him ever be looked unto, and remembered 
 by thee in this light, and let thy mind be 
 humbly engaged to feek his favours; let 
 nothing impair thy loVe and dependance 
 upon himi he it is that can blafl every 
 
 pleafmg 
 
6AMUEL FOTHERGILL. 121 
 
 pleafing profpefl:, can wither every hope, and 
 lanciify every affli<fl:ion. Be not aOiamed to 
 demonflrate that thy hope is in him, by 
 humbly walking before him ; it is in vain to 
 expe£l a total freedom from forrowful events, 
 and it is an excellent mercy to have on fuch 
 occafions the flafF of all ages to lean upon. 
 
 2d. Thy duty to thy hufband : who, if 
 I judge right, will, from his affection and 
 tendernefs for thee, be intitled to every 
 degree of a mutual return from thee. Study 
 his temper, accommodate thy own to it ; I 
 have feen great inconveniences arife in the 
 married life through inattention. Where 
 the wife hefitates at the requeft of her huf- 
 band, and yields at laft a relucftant obedience, 
 this imperceptibly diminifhes that tender 
 aiFeclion which is the very life and comfort 
 of the married ftaie ; gradually creates a dif- 
 tance, and then life may be uncomfortably 
 dragged along, but not happily enjoyed. 
 Cultivate in his mind and thy own every 
 religious fentiment; flrengthen that part as 
 much as poflible; hereby a twofold cord of 
 divine love and natural aifeflion will unite 
 you in a covenant' never to be broken. 
 
 3d. Towards Friends of the meeting into 
 F which 
 
122 DISCOURSES, Sec. by 
 
 -•") 
 
 which thou art removing, let thy condu<St be 
 humble, affable, and exemplary ; not affum- 
 ing, but on the contrary, preferring others, 
 that others may prefer thee. Humility is 
 the fureft way to honour; let no emulation 
 to be greater than fome, and equal to the 
 greateft, ever be fuffered to be harboured in 
 thy bread ; for this will infenfibly raife dif- 
 pleafure, envy, and other difagreeable affec- 
 tions, in the minds of others ; and let thy 
 drefs be rather beneath, than on the level of 
 thy circumflances ; it will be to thy repu- 
 tation. 
 
 4th. Let it become thy conffant watch to 
 avoid that ruinous praflice of tatling, tale- 
 bearing, and fecret rclle^lions ; thofe fources 
 of divifion and mifchief are hateful to God 
 and men: this charaifler fets itfelf as the 
 obje£l of general contempt, its hand is againfl 
 every one, and every one*s hand and heart 
 will be againft them who merit it. The 
 concerns of one's own mind and family are 
 'fufHcient to employ a prudent mind, without 
 interfering with others unneceffarily. Not- 
 withftanding this, fecret reproof, where juft, 
 immediately addreffed to the party, is a beau- 
 tiful and ufeful part of friendfhip. 
 
 5th. 
 
SAMUEL FO IHERGILL. 123 
 
 5th. Let thy hufband*s relations become 
 dc2.r to thee; it is a connexion of tender 
 affinity, cultivate every fentiment of friend- 
 fhip and aiFe£lion for them, efpecially his 
 mother, with every of whofe anxieties a fon 
 muft fecretly fympathize. 
 
 Excufe, dear , the freedom of thefe 
 
 hints, they arife not from any painful appre- 
 henfions of a contrary condufl, or thy being 
 in any great danger; but my affeflion for 
 thee induces me to wifh thee to be found in 
 the way to blefling : even the blefling of the 
 heaven above, of the earth beneath, the 
 blelTmg of the ancient mountains, and of the 
 everlafling hills. 
 
 May the Lord of all fiivour crown thee 
 and thine with them, is my humble prayer 
 on thy behalf. 
 
 F 2 
 
124 DISCOURSES, kc, bv 
 
 To 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Dear Friend, 
 I HAVE felt fucb a degree of anxious con- 
 cern for thee fmce our parting, as to induce 
 me to addrefs this letter to thee, and from 
 the warmth of an affe<n:ionate heart, to offer 
 fomething for thy confideration which thy 
 temporal and eternal welfare requires thy 
 attending to. Notwithflanding many of our 
 youth, and thyfelf among others, have 
 defpifed the fimplicity of a plain appearance 
 like a Friend, yet am I fatisfied from the 
 neg\e& of that difllncf^iort being maintained, 
 they and thou have been laid open to the 
 inducements of that deflroying enemy who 
 hath great power over the inhabitants of the 
 earth, and then leaned to an earthly fpirit. 
 Thou hafl: fatally found the truth of this re- 
 mark. If thou hadfl appeared like a religious, 
 
 fober 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 125 
 
 iober Friend, thofe companions who have 
 exceedingly wounded thee, durfl not have 
 attempted to frequent thy company. Thou 
 
 feed , his conduft <ind appearaace 
 
 are confiilent and fober; none of thofe wicked 
 young men dare approach him, fuch is the 
 dignity of rehgion, and its luperiority over 
 folly and vice. I mention him not from any 
 partial regard for him as my kinfman, but 
 as a perfon I have had frequent opportuni- 
 ties to remark. Thou knoweft the efteem 
 he has juflly obtained, his ufefulnefs in his 
 father's family, and that he is more juflly 
 honoured than, I think, any young man in 
 town. I mention him not to upbraid thee, 
 but to intreat thee ; his manners are virtu- 
 ous, his mind ferene and peaceful ; the con- 
 trary, thy own experience will tell thee, 
 hath been thy lot, and it refuhs from a con- 
 du6l oppofite to his ; neverthelefs 1 am per- 
 fuaded the regard of Divine Providence is 
 not totally withdrawn from thee, his mercy 
 is extended to recover thee as from the gates 
 pf hell, and pluck thee as a brand out of 
 the fire. My concern for thee, the kind re- 
 ception thou haft met with at , 
 
 and the difpofitions of the worthy friends 
 F 3 there 
 
126 DISCOURSES, &'c. ey 
 
 there in receiving thee, are to mc proofs of 
 the interpofition of a providential hand yet 
 flretched out to fave, and thefc things ought 
 to be humbly marvellous in thine eyes, 
 and induce thee to walk anfwerably to the 
 favours received. 
 
 I carneflly wifh thee to abflain from any 
 company that may be improper ; thy refo- 
 iutions are weak, the poifon of evi! company 
 very ruinous ; if thou haft no other induce- 
 ment to alter thy drefs, I befeech thee to do 
 it to keep the diflinfiion our principles lead 
 to, and to feparate thee homfocls d.nd /ops ; 
 at the fame time that by a prudent diftindlion 
 in thy appearance thou fcatterefl away thofe 
 that are the bane of youth, thou wilt engage 
 the attention of thofe whofe company will 
 be profitable and honourable to thee. 
 
 Thus dear friend, my heart longs for thee 
 and for thy help, that thou mayfl: improve 
 the prefent providential allotment to the befl 
 purpofe, and as thy prefent fituation is much 
 more laborious than it was at thy father's 
 houfe, I befeech thee fubmit to it cheerfully ; 
 it is abundantly neceffary, and may be a 
 means of lading advantage to thee. It will 
 be good for thee to bear the yoke in thy 
 
 youth. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 127 
 
 youtli ; if thy mind be rightly fubje^led to it 
 thou may ft have caufe to fay, it was good 
 for me that I was troubled. 
 
 I befeech thee often to read theHoly Scrip- 
 tures ; remember the prodigal fon, and imi- 
 tate his penitent example, and the fame 
 gracious reception from the Everlafting 
 Father will be thy portion. With what joy 
 would thy anxious parent, thy aiFe£lionatc 
 fifler, view thee reformed, ftcady and pru- 
 dent ; but if (which God forbid) thou 
 fhouldft flight this providential opportunity 
 of retrieving thyfelf, and relapfe into thofe 
 things which have hitherto miniftered much 
 to thy hurt, and if continued in, muft (as 
 it has many others) effe(51: thy total ruin ; 
 how fliall I look thofe friends in the face, to 
 whofe care I have been inftrumental to com- 
 mit thee ? And what will be the fentence 
 from defpifed mercy ? I am fhocked at the 
 mere fuppofition ; but what muft be the 
 futfering of fuch a ftatc ? Dear — — , 
 what fliall 1 fay ; what can I fay that will 
 tend to thy help, but earneftly prefs thee 
 to feek him who is mighty to fave, and to 
 whom Jonah cried from the belly of hell ? 
 Cherifh every imprefTion of good, place thy- 
 F 4 fclf 
 
128 DISCOURSES, &c. bv 
 
 felf frequently before that^tremcnduous bar, 
 before which thou art hailening, and bring 
 every thought and aiftion to judgment ; be 
 dihgent and faithful in bufinefs ; but above 
 all, be diligent in making provifion for thy 
 poor fouL Fareweh 
 
 To 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 129 
 
 after the Deccafe of her 
 Hu/hatid, 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 2d Mo. 4th, 1757* 
 D^ar Friend, 
 
 THAT afFeclionate regard which truth 
 itfelf raifed mutually in our hearts, is by no- 
 means impah-ed : often, very often, fmce I 
 left your land, has it been flrongly renewed j 
 and more efpecially upon receiving the for- 
 rowful tidings of the removal of thy dear 
 hufband ; a circumflance in which the afflic- 
 tion is, like the lofs, very extenfive. Thoa 
 mourned the lofs of a tender hufband, his 
 children that of an aiFeclionate father: — the 
 church laments a pillar removed out of the 
 place it filled, at a time when it was greatly 
 wanted -, an allowable forrov/ :. — for the per- 
 feft example of every virtue, even Jefus him- 
 felf, wept for Lazarus. 
 
 This nature demands when its connexions 
 
 are broken, and the endearing, foclal ties 
 
 F 5 diflblved 
 
130 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 dilTolved for ever! But thou well knoweft 
 (and I hope it now flands thee in (lead) 
 that we are pilgrims, and Arangers as our 
 fathers were ; and each journeying on 
 through this region of diflrefs towards that 
 city which hath foundations, whofc builder 
 and maker God is. Why then fhould we 
 grieve too much, if a companion, a beloved 
 companion, with whom we have traverfed 
 many dubious, anxious fteps, hath his en- 
 trance into the holy city a few moments 
 before us ; and enjoy confummate felicity 
 whilfl we (land at the door, and wait alfo for 
 the fame glorious fruition, of which we at 
 times receive the joyful earned ? 
 
 Upon all the glory of the earth, and all 
 its enjoyments, upon every vifible thing, one 
 infcription is written as the immutable de- 
 termination of Him whofe name is Moft 
 High, " Theylliall perifli:'' throughout all 
 nature and natural connexions, however 
 endearing, it has been and mull: be verified. 
 Equally fixed is the fubfequent truth, the joy 
 and fong of many generations, but thou re- 
 *' mainefl, and thy years fhall not fail.'' On 
 this everlafting Hufband, Father, Friend^ and 
 Succour, mayfl thou and thine now lean ; 
 
 and 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 131 
 
 and know this dlfpenfatlon fan^tified' and 
 blefTed to all your help, in renewing diligent 
 care (o to live and move, that, when the Great 
 Shepherd fhall appear, and all his faithful 
 fervants with him, your portion may be 
 amongd them for ever. 
 
 And now, methinks, I cannot avoid ad- 
 dreffing myfelf to you the defcendants of my 
 honoured, becaufe honourable friend. I am 
 convinced that the fame gracious hand which 
 was his comfort, has been near to fome of 
 you for the like glorious purpofe, even to 
 eflablifh you before him for ever ! but I am 
 jealous that the want of religious depth and 
 fimplicity God-ward hath been the caufe of 
 halting; and that there has been rather a 
 choice to embrace the prefent world, and 
 have a name of eminence in it, than to have 
 a new name of God, and the city of God. 
 Thus will the heavenly tenders of immortal 
 kindnefs be difregarded^and the vain fhadows 
 ©f things be preferred to thofe fubftantial 
 riches which none ever fought with too 
 great diligence j or if they fold them, got 
 their worth in exchange. A heart honellly 
 -concerned for your help cannot contain, or 
 didate, the language of flattery : I love you 
 f 6 nearly. 
 
131 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 nearly, and therefore thus write. I am alfo 
 perfuaded there is a feed and heritage that 
 mourns in fecret becaufe of its leannefs, and 
 honeflly feeks relief whence it has ever 
 fprung: may liability and patience be the 
 girdle of their loins ; and in the Lord's time 
 this poor fupplicant, diftrefled feed, will 
 delight itfelf in fatnefs ! 
 
 One general hint from my own experi- 
 ence would I fugged to you young people : 
 Let all your condu6l demonftrate that you 
 remember the worthy deceafed with due 
 aifeftion j and though he be, with refpe6l to 
 the body, dead, yet let him fpeak. 
 
 I have found it my duty and great advan- 
 tage, to place frequently in my \'icw my 
 worthy father; and in cafes of importance, 
 or dubious cafes, to confult what would have 
 pleafed him, who was ripe in experience and 
 judgment. I believe this reverence to the 
 memory of a worthy parent is an oblation of 
 fweet incenfe before the everlafling Father ! 
 
 Farewel, Dear ; may Ifrael's rock 
 
 be thy fafe abode ; and keep thee frefh in 
 fpirit; green and fruitful in old age j and 
 finally unite thee to him, and the many 
 
 generations 
 
SAMUEI, FOTHERGILL. 13^ 
 
 generations of the jufl, who are ftepped be- 
 fore us within the gates of pearl ! 
 
 Farewel, ye defcendams of the great and 
 good: imitate their example; as they have 
 followed Chrift, follow ye them. Be wife, 
 for it is true happinefs : in wifdom you will 
 fear to offend ; and this fear is an excellent 
 defence. 
 
 To 
 
134 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 To — - on his Marriage. 
 
 By SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 I WAS duly favoured v/i^h thine, and 
 fhould have ^vritten fooner had ability and 
 leifare united ; for there h.uh lived in my 
 mind a falutation to thee, the object of my 
 tender folicitude, and to thy wife, thy com- 
 panion in every tender fenfe, the joint obje^ls 
 of my affe(fi;ionate well wifhing. I confider 
 you as now entering the more arduous fcenes 
 of life, and filling more important flations 
 than during your fmgle ftate ; and moil ear- 
 neltly defire you may, now on your firft 
 entrance into the more arduous path, be 
 wifely dire(Sled ; for much depends on this^ 
 important crifis. 
 
 With a heart repleniflied with earn eft af- 
 fe^lion, I recommend thePfalmift's words, re» 
 prefenting the wife of all ages, " In the name 
 ** of our God we will fet up our banners.'* 
 This is a proper allulion to your ftate, who 
 
 have 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 135 
 
 have aflbciated together in the moft delicate 
 and tender bonds of union, to be each others 
 help-mates, to foften every care, to enhance 
 every comfort, to divide every burden, re- 
 ciprocally and mutually to help each other 
 in every temporal refpecH:; and not only fo, 
 but to go up hand in hand together to the 
 houfe of God, and the mountain of his ho- 
 linefs. In order to obtain that permanent 
 felicity of the conjugal flate, in the name of 
 your God, fet up your banners. Let nothing 
 divert your minds from a humble attentive 
 care to put yourfelves under his prote<^lion: 
 implore his guardianfliip and tuition : he 
 alone can keep you in times of probation, 
 defend you in the perilous hours, guard you 
 from the dangers of u n fan (fli fled, feeming, 
 profperity ; and place his everlafling arm 
 underneath in the time of adverfity. Place 
 here your confidence, that you may not be 
 moved. The world, with a variety of blan- 
 difhments, will prefent its fchemes of happi- 
 nefs, and make large promifes of a good it 
 has not in its power to beftow ; but may you 
 carefully remember, that in the world, or 
 under the prevalence of its fpfrit, you will 
 find difappointment and trouble. But in the 
 
 name 
 
136 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 tiame and under the banner of God, peace 
 flows as a river, and every crofs event and 
 painful allotment is fan^lified and fweetened. 
 Beware, therefore, my dear friends, of 
 rufhing into the world of diiTipation, which 
 often attends a circumflance fimilar to yours; 
 beware of a falfe confidence in the fmiles 
 and careffes of men and women of this 
 world's fpirit. Befeech the protection and 
 guidance of Him v/ho protects the folitary in 
 families, and buildeth up a fare houfe to 
 thofe who in all their ways acknowledge 
 him, and cafl themfelves on his proteflion. 
 I trufl an holy vifitation has given you an 
 underflanding what it is that makes for true 
 peace : enter not into felfifh deliberations 
 how to avoid plain duty : protrafi: not your 
 flay in a land of jeopardy and danger, by 
 taking counfel and not of God, and covering 
 yourfelves and not with the covering of 
 God's fpirit. The flate of the church re» 
 quires of you to endeavour to come up to j 
 the help of the Lord againfl: that inundation 
 of folly and forgetfulnefs that prevails : there 
 are no wages equal to thofe he gives his fer- 
 vants ; for furely the reward of the faithful 
 labourer is exceeding great : peace, tran- 
 quillity,. 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 137 
 
 qullity, and glory, are upon their heads for 
 
 ever 
 
 Thus, beloved friends, my foul travails for 
 your prefent and everlafling welfare ; that 
 the fplemn engagement you have mutually 
 entered into may be truly fulfilled, and your 
 happinefs edabliflied on the mofl durable 
 bafis. 
 
 The eye of paffion, the fiiort -lived fever of 
 the mind, fometimes improperly called love, 
 flatters itfelf v^ith objects of imagined ami- 
 ablenefs and beauty : this is tranfient and 
 mutable ; but aife61ion, founded on real, 
 efleem for an objeft religion and virtue have 
 rendered truly eflimable, hath a permanency 
 in it equal to the caufes that produced it. 
 It is not in my mind to defcend into every 
 particular poirlt of conduct neceflary for your 
 happinefs ; thefe will be clearly opened as 
 occafion requires, and help adminiflered to 
 come up in every duty, to render you truly 
 helpful to each other, ufeful and honour- 
 able in the church and in the world, and 
 objedts of divine favour, and acceptance. 
 
 But allow me to recommend a clofe and 
 diligent attendance of meetings, both for wor- 
 (hip and difcipline : in this mofl reafonable 
 
 fervicc. 
 
138 DISCOURSES, Sic. by 
 
 fervice the foul hinh often been unexpeftcdiy 
 replenilhed with good, and Its (Ircngth re- 
 newed to ftep forward in the mod holy path. 
 Dare not to live without God in the world, 
 left he withdraw his bleiling ; and then^ who 
 can make up the deficiency ? 
 
 Extra^ 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 139 
 
 ExtraSi of a Letter to a Friend^ who had vln^ 
 dlcated the principle and praclice of Self- 
 defence^ or Defenjive War^ as being confijlent 
 with the DoBrine of Chrifianity. 
 
 By S. FOTHERGILL. 
 
 Warrington, 8th Mo. i6th, 1764, 
 My Friend, 
 
 SINCE our firfl: acquaintance, which is 
 now of many years (landing, thou haft pof- 
 felTed a fhare in my afFe^lionate friendfhip, 
 and a hope accompanied my earneft deiire 
 for thy prefervation in the Truth as it is in 
 Jefus, to an happy conclufion. 
 
 Great was my concern, therefore, when I 
 had a confiderable time ago, a manufcript of 
 thine tranfmitted to me, which militated 
 againft a material and fundamental teftimony, 
 received amongft us as a people. 
 
 I befeech thee, call to mind the difcoveries 
 and imprefTions made in the days of tender 
 enquiry after truth and peace with God. 
 Remember what it led to, and what it led 
 
 from J 
 
140 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 from ; and diligently examine whether thou 
 haft kept thy firft love ; whether the fpirit 
 of this world hath not entered, and allured 
 thee from that holy circumfcribed frame of 
 fpirit in which we can alone abide in fafety, 
 and witnefs the f\lvation of God to be as 
 walls and bullwarks about us. A frequent, 
 impartial fcrutiny of this kind, appears to 
 me necelfary for us all ; left, having run 
 well for a time, we ftiould unhappily mifs 
 pur wa)^, and ftumble on the mountains of 
 error, and fall and rife no more. Moft ne- 
 ceftary, therefore, is the advicCj ** Walk in 
 *' the Light, that you may become children 
 *^ of the light and of the day** of God j 
 and be preferved through all the jeopardies 
 of times, and from the deceivablefs of un- 
 righteoufnefs, to an happy polTeiTion of that 
 crown of life, which is referved for all 
 thofe who fight the good fight, and keep 
 the faith. 
 
 If, upon a moft ferious anticipation of that 
 day when every fecret fliall be difclofed, 
 and true judgment adminiftered, thou find 
 the teftimony of divine approbation is no| 
 fealed upon thy fpirit in this diffent from thy 
 former friends, I intreat thee, by every con" 
 
 fideration 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 141 
 
 fidcration which happinefs in time or eternity 
 can fuggeft, iland open to convi£iion. It is 
 infinitely better to retra£l an error, though 
 we may fall into the hands, or under the 
 cenfure of men, than to perfifl in any 
 do^rine or practice repugnant to the holy 
 witnefs, and thereby incur divine difpleafure. 
 If we fall upon the ftone, which is a flone 
 of offence to the wifdom of the world, it will 
 break us to pieces ; but if it fall upon us, ic 
 will grind us to powder. O may thy mind 
 be turned to the light, and w^itnefs the fearch- 
 ing of heart for the divifions of Reuben ; 
 that natural might and ftrength, and boafting 
 excellency which fecretly fpreads itfelf 
 through the incautious mind ; but God, in 
 his wifdom, hath determined that in this 
 kingdom and work it ihall never excel. 
 
 I ever wuQi to fee love, tendernefs, and 
 long-fuffering exercifed in the fociety one 
 towards another ; and as far as in my power 
 have endeavoured to promote it ; that that 
 which is weak may not be turned out of the 
 way, but rather reftored. 
 
 Neverthelefs there is a neceflity for a 
 (leady regard to be paid to the prime ends 
 of our being raifed up as a people, which is, 
 
 the 
 
14-2 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 the fupporting a teflimony to the coming of 
 the reign of the peaceable Saviour, whofe 
 kingdom is not of this world. 
 
 Our worthy anceflors received this tcfti- 
 mony, and were called to bear it ; and har- 
 monizing together in the truths of Chrifti- 
 anity, they united in one body, and under 
 the dominion of one fpirit. A people thus 
 formed for the Lord's ufe in carrying on 
 the work of reformation in the earth, and 
 whofe teflimony contradicted the received 
 maxims of the world and its policy, had to 
 cxpcS: the oppofition and fuffering which 
 enfued : fu fl from the powers of the world, 
 which raged at the birth of the man-child, 
 and fought to fwallow it up : but he who 
 had called them to fliew forth his falvation, 
 and to ftep forward to the perfe£lion of 
 Chriftianity, fupported them under cruel 
 perfecution to his own praife, and the pro- 
 motion of his Name upon earth. 
 
 The fecond, and mod painful caufe of 
 diftrefs and forrow was, the apoftacy of 
 fome who kept not their habitations in the 
 light ; but departing from the union of the 
 fpirit, lofl their places in the body, and be- 
 came its moft invidious oppofers : their 
 
 plea 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 143 
 
 plea was liberty, their defign licendoufnefs j 
 to introduce confufion and anarchy ; to fap 
 the foundation on which our union {lands, 
 and rend the feamlefs garment of our Lord 
 and Mafter. After much waiting and tender 
 advice, the church teflified to the world that 
 thefe were not of her, they went out from 
 her, that it might be manifefl they were 
 not of her. No injury was done to the 
 perfon or perfons who ceafed to be of us 
 by difclaiming our eflential principles ; it 
 was juftice due to the teilimony of truth 
 and to the fociety, to declare to the world 
 that thofe forfook us, and not we them. 
 
 The caufc is not ours, it is not of the 
 flcfh, nor the will of the flefh, but of God, 
 The longer I live, the clearer I fee that it is 
 a teilimony which will gain ground, and 
 fpread yet more and more amongft mankind. 
 I am convinced of it as a mod certain truth, 
 not only from faith in the progrefs of the 
 fpirit and power of our Lord Jefus Chriit 
 towards the redemption of the world, and 
 beautifying the place of his feet ; but even 
 from the converfation I have had with fome 
 of eminent (lations in the world. A perfon 
 of high diflinftion as a warrior told me fome 
 
 time 
 
144 DISCOURSES, &c. by 
 
 time ago, that though he was a foldier, tio 
 part of our principles were more juft in this 
 appreherifion than our declining war in every 
 refpe£l : he believed the day would come 
 when nation fliould not lift up fword againfl 
 nation, nor fliould they learn war any more: 
 He remarked, fo mighty a change mufl be 
 gradually brought about ; and the morning 
 of that day had, he believed, dawned 
 amongfl us as a people. 
 
 Happy are they who abide in their ranks 
 in the Lord's fervice; they will mingle at 
 at lafl v/ith the conquerors, and inherit al! 
 things. I befeech thee, my friend, confider 
 tbings deeply; if thou ceafe to be one of us 
 as a fociety raifed for the purpofe intimated 
 above, why (liouldfl thou endeavour to draw- 
 others after thee from the Lord's caufe : — a 
 work which on a dying bed will not be 
 crowned with peace. Blame not friends for 
 their faithfulnefs to their avowed principles, 
 and fteady adherence to the caufe of God. 
 If the way is become too flrait for thee to 
 walk in, cenfure not thofe who dare not 
 leave it, whatever fuffering may arife from 
 the povrers of this world, or the defe(Slion of 
 
 fuch 
 
SAMUEL FOTHERGILL. 145 
 
 fuch among us, from whom we hoped better 
 thicgs. 
 
 But the caufe of God, and his holy, eter- 
 nal truth will remain unhurt by the defection • 
 of thofe who forfake him, for the foundation 
 of God ftandeth fure, having this feal, " The 
 "•'' Lord knoweth them that are his." 
 
 DISCOURSES 
 
DISCOURSES 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 CATHERINE PHILLIPS, 
 
DIS COURSE 
 
 Delivered at the Fryar^s Meeting Houfe at 
 BriJloU ^th of Fifth Months 1779. 
 
 By CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 
 1 have been glad 10 obferve fo many not 
 profeiTing with us in our folemn meetings 
 from day to day, who may be, many of them, 
 in an inquiring Hate of mind, feeking the 
 way to Zion with their faces thitherward; 
 and I believe, that unto fome of thefe, the 
 teflimonies of Truth as profefled by us as a 
 people, will one day be made precious, and 
 the religious principles which are teflified to 
 in our folemn meetings be feen to be con- 
 fident with the nature of the glorious gofpel 
 difpenfation: for it appears to me that the 
 Lord is at work in the earth, and that he 
 o x will 
 
/CO DISCOURSES BY 
 
 vill bring fons from far and draightcrs from 
 the ends of the earth, to a fettlement in the 
 truth, yea they \vill come as from the ead 
 and from the veil:, the north and the fouth, 
 to fit down with the Lords 's fcrvants in his 
 kingdom: but oh, my friends, that none of 
 the children may be cad out. My fpirit, in 
 this meeting, and indeed at other times when 
 not allembled fmce my lot hath been cad In 
 this city, hath travailed in unfpeakable pain 
 for thefe, — for the profefang members of 
 our own fociety, that they might become a 
 people fettled in the truth they make pro- 
 fefTion of j that the religious inquiring minds 
 who are feeking their way to Zion, might fee 
 the beauty the excellency of their fituation, 
 every one by their ftandard, the unchange- 
 able flandard of truth: that this might be 
 their language, " How beautiful arc thy 
 " tents, O Jacob, and thy dwelling place, 
 '' O Ifrael;" and that others feeing us thus 
 fituated, might defne to have their lot and 
 portion with us. Thus, my friends, my 
 fpirit has been exercifed in the fliort time we 
 have now been fitting together ; and in order 
 that this may be the cafe, let me revive among 
 you the exhortation of the Lord's exercifed 
 
 fervants. 
 
CATHERINE PPIILLIPS, 15s 
 
 fervants, " Arlfe and fliine ; iliake thyfdf 
 " from the dud of the earth; put on thy 
 " beautiful garments, oh Jerufalem.*' Thus, 
 my friends, may we become a people once 
 more confpicuous unto God's praife ; Avho 
 has pleafed, in his abundant mercy, in 
 our beginning to raife us up by his mighty 
 hand, to conllitute us as a people, to fettle 
 us as a people, fo that it was evident, we 
 were the people whom the Lord formed for 
 himfelf, and thepefore to fliew forth his 
 praife: and that we may again become this 
 favoured people, this confpicuoully owned 
 people of the Lord, is the earned travail of 
 my fpirit: that we maybe {ledfafl:,that we may 
 increafe in flrength, each of us, whether we 
 may' have had an education in the profeffion 
 of truth among us, or among any others, 
 but having been concerned to come into the 
 fhcepfold the right way. Chrifl is the door 
 into the true fheepfold j if any fliould intrude 
 themfelves into our religious fociety, and 
 take upon them the profelTion of truth any 
 other way than through him, they will not 
 be owned of him, however they may gain a 
 memberfhip among us as a people. They 
 will be accounted no better than as theives 
 ci 4 and 
 
152 . DISCOURSES liv 
 
 and robber?, who have flolcn a religious 
 profcilion, aiid taken up an appearance of 
 triuh before they had a proper right (o to 
 do. My friends examine yourfelves, every 
 one of you, in this point, whether you have 
 been educated in a profeflion of the truth, or 
 taken it up by convincement; fee with what 
 right you bear it, fee whether you are ftieep 
 of Chrid's fold or not : we cannot be fo by edu- 
 cation merely. There is but one way for any of 
 us, into which he alone can fhew us; whether 
 we (land in right memberfliip in this fociety, 
 or in any religious fociety, there is but one 
 v/ay into the flieepfold, which is the Truth, — 
 the baptizing influence of the fpirit of Chrift : 
 for it is indeed by baptifm that we are made 
 members of Chrill, children of God, and inhe- 
 ritors of the kingdom of heaven. Have we been 
 thus baptized, have we, my friends, a right to 
 that high and holy profeiTion which we make, 
 to be the followers of him who overcame the 
 w^orld, and who choofcs his followers out of 
 the world. Let all w^ifely examine themfelves 
 this morning, w^hatever religious profeiTion 
 they may have been educated in; for, my 
 friends, I am jealous over fome of you, and 
 I think it is with a godly jealoufy, which is 
 
 accompanied 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 153 
 
 Accompanied with that love that defiresyou 
 may be fufficiently jealous over your own 
 hearts. Examine nicely into the matter, 
 and fee how you ftand in the myflical body 
 of Chrift, and whether you are members of 
 his church, and have come into the fheep- 
 fold the right way ; for I am jealous that 
 many who have had an education among us, 
 have refted too much on their education; 
 and if they have been preferved from the grofs 
 crimes that are pra<^ifed in the world, that 
 they reft contented ; efpecially if they have on 
 them an outfide appearance, confident with 
 the high and holy profefiion we bear. I am 
 jealous that fomc of you are not exercifed 
 in fpirit that they may be fuch Iheep of 
 ChrifL's fold as know his voice, and follow 
 him ; as experience him to be their leader, 
 their dire(fl:or, and the giver unto them of 
 everlafting life. V^Tell, my friends, you that 
 are of fober and orderly converfation, over 
 whom fome of us at times in meafure rejoice, 
 becaufe you have been fo far preferved as to 
 be free of various corruptions that are in the 
 world, through lufl: ; though we are thankful 
 on your account for the prefer vation of the 
 divine hand vouchfafed, yet we are alfo 
 forrowful that you fit down fhort of what you 
 G 5 ought 
 
154 DISCOURSES by 
 
 ought to be, — a truly fplrltually minded 
 people, fuch as have a real experience of the 
 truths which you profcfs, and hold forth unto 
 the world. Let me put you on an examination, 
 many of you now prefent, into your expe- 
 rience on this important fubje^V, and I am 
 ready to think you will find it but very low. 
 Although many of your minds have been vi- 
 fited, and your fpirits tendered time after 
 time, and good defires raifed in them, and 
 fometimes refolutions have been formed that 
 you would hnk down much deeper into a 
 religious exercife of mind, may not the 
 complaint which the prophet took up for- 
 merly againft fome, be taken up aguinfl 
 thefe, that their righteoufncfs is " as a morn- 
 " ing cloud J and as the early dew^, it goeth 
 " away.'* 
 
 Thefc vifitations have not. been cherifhc.d; 
 and there is a continuing Hill in a weak ftatc, 
 in a mixed (late, in an unprofitable (late, 
 towards God : fo that it may be faid of fome, 
 as it w^as I think of Ifrael, that he v/as as 
 an empty vine, he brought forth fruit unto 
 himfelf. There are pot fuch fruits found on 
 fome of thefe vifited minds, as the Lord of 
 mercy calls lor; .they are not fitted for his 
 fervice iu his church aiui among his people, 
 
 iis 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 155 
 
 as he defigned they (hould be, although they 
 are refpeftable among men ; although they 
 are exercifed in what may be called an honed 
 induilry, and Ibme may alfo think, a lauda- 
 ble induftry, yet the complaint is againft them, 
 as it was againd Ifrael; " Ifrael is an empty 
 " vine unto the Lord, he bringeth forth fruit 
 " unto himlelf." And although they fecni 
 reputable, and fobcr, and orderly in their 
 conduct compared with many others, yet 
 their fpirits are not fruitful towards God. 
 My friends, examine ^'ourfelves : you who 
 have been vifited, you who have been fa- 
 voured with a high and holy calling, and 
 have heard the call and have rejoiced in it, 
 have you attended to it, (o as to have been 
 redeemed out of the fpirit of the world r I 
 am ready to thi'nk that many, if they examine 
 themfelves in this particular, v/ijl fee it very 
 far from being the cafe; that however they 
 feemed fettled in a religious fociety, they are 
 not fettled in the truth, as our worthy pre- 
 deceiTors were ; not guided with zeal for the 
 promotion of God's honour. The complaint 
 which was taken up againft a peopleformerly,. 
 may be taken up againd many of thefe, that 
 they are gone up every one of them to^their 
 G 6 own 
 
J56 DISCOURSES er 
 
 own houfes, and the Lord's houfe lies wafte; 
 they are feeking their own things, but not 
 the things of God. Remember the concern 
 of the Apoflle that he might fully apprehend 
 that, for which he was apprehended of God ; 
 but what were you apprehended of him for, 
 what were you vifited for, what were you 
 called for, what were you fettled under the 
 profeiTion of truth for ? — not to reft down at 
 eafe hi your minds, but, as you might be 
 fitted for it, to become laborious members, 
 and a^live in the church of Chrift ; each 
 keeping under an humble exercife of mind 
 that if he did but little for the truth, that he 
 might do nothing againft the truth, and (o 
 that you might increafe in the experience of 
 the powerful operation of the divine fpirit on 
 your fpirits, as you advance in years. This, 
 my friends, is certainly the intention of divine 
 wifdom in apprehending of you, or calHng 
 you ; and if you would fettle under this ex- 
 ercife, I have no manner of doubt but that 
 fome of you might be brought out unto his 
 help in the prefenc day againft the mighty, 
 and you would be made ferviceable in the 
 fociety, which wants the help of its members, 
 its quickened members, many of whom ap- 
 
 pear 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 157 
 
 pear to me but weak and dwarfifti. Though 
 they are quickened, divers appear to me to 
 be in a languid, weak (late. My friends, the 
 Lord would not have it to be fo, but that we 
 fhould be flrengthened for his fervice, and 
 come up in his fervice with that flrength which 
 he vouchfafes, not with our own ftrength, nor 
 with our own wifdom ; no, no, this will never 
 do; the Lord's work cannot be performed in 
 their own will, for that never worked the 
 righteoufnefs of God, nor ever will. Oh ! 
 that fome of you may come under a concern 
 to be baptized into a fpiritual fenfe of the 
 prefent day: for indeed the labour of it is 
 heavy on the fhoulders of a very few, who fee 
 and lament many abominations that are com- 
 mitted among us, and the many (tumbling 
 blocks that there are, and that thofe who 
 are as way marks have not flrength to roll 
 them away : though they may labour after it, 
 have an earned defire for it, may lament the 
 (late of fome of the members of the fociety, 
 and carneftly wifh that it were not fo, yet 
 they have not flrength to roll the flumbling 
 blocks away, but mufl labour and travel 
 forward under their burden and grievous 
 opprcilion. My friends, why is there not 
 
 among 
 
158 DISCOURSES BY 
 
 among you in this city, where there is fo 
 hirLiC ii number, fufhcient ftrenfrrh to roll 
 theie Humbling blocks away, to fet the tcflr- 
 mony of truth over their heads, that they may 
 Dot be a hindrance to thofe who are feeking 
 their way to Zion, with their faces thither- 
 ward. 1 fay there is not ilrength to roll the 
 {tumbling blocks away, becaufe fome of you 
 do not put your flioulders unto the work, do 
 not offer yourfelves willingly to come up unto- 
 the Lord's help agaiuil the mighty; and oh!, 
 mud I revive in your remembrance the curfe 
 which was palled upon fomc formerly, when- 
 one of Ifrael founded an alarm unto the 
 people and gatliered them unto the battle >. 
 the inhabitants of Meroz were found want- 
 ing, and what is recorded rcfpecling them,, 
 is recorded for our inftruiTtion; " Curfe ye 
 *•' Mcroz, faid the angel of the Lord, 
 ^' curfe ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, 
 " becaufe they came not 10 the help of the 
 *' Lord againft the mighty." My friends, 
 there is no doubt, but they wxre employed 
 in their temporal poffeHions ; now I befeech 
 it of you confider whether this is not the cafe 
 ' with forae of you, and whether you are not 
 in fome^egree fubjecl to divine difpleafure on 
 account thereof. It has feemed to me that 
 
 there 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 159 
 
 there might be, if they were Vx'iUlng to be 
 fitted, to be poliflied, there might be itones 
 fitted for the heavenly building; {o that we 
 might gather flrength and beauty as a reli- 
 gious fociety. Well, I do not wi(h to dwell 
 long on this fubje^l, but a? it comes in my 
 way; and as I flood up among you, my 
 friends, under a real concern of heart for 
 the members of our fociety whether they 
 have had their education amongd us or not, 
 I drop what has fimply occurred ; being de- 
 firous, if it may pleafe divine wifdom and 
 mercy fo to favour me, tluit I may cafi: olF 
 among you that burden which has been oa 
 my fpirit; and which I have been ready to 
 think an infupportable burden. When I 
 have looked to the fociety I have had a view 
 of feveral dates, and it has appeared evident 
 that we are dill a favoured fociety. I cannot 
 help faying that we are the Lord's peculiar 
 people ; for I do not believe that there are 
 among any people, thofe who walk more 
 clofely with God, than fome of us as a people 
 do; and there arc none I believe better ver- 
 fed in the leadings and operations of his holy 
 fpirit, or experience him to be their lliepherd 
 more than fome among us: 'confider bow he* 
 
 has 
 
i6o DISCOURSES by 
 
 has favoured us with the manifeftation of the 
 principle of truth, and with teflimonies com- 
 mitted unto us confident therewith! It dill 
 appears to me, when I take a view of us, 
 that we are the Lord's pecuhar people, 
 whatever others may think of us and fpeak 
 lightly of us; yet I believe that there never 
 was a people yet redeemed and brought fo 
 clofely out of all fuperditious practices incon- 
 fiflent with the nature of the glorious gofpel 
 difpenfation, out of all fuperficial forms, out 
 of all felf-reafonings : there never was a people, 
 my friends, yet trained up fmce the piimitive 
 times, that Were lo purged in faith and prac- 
 tice, as we as a religious fociety have been. 
 I am not afraid to fay it, for I have looked 
 through various modes of worfhip, and taken 
 a view of fome of the principles and pra£lices 
 of thofe that think highly of themfelves, yet 
 have beheld in them that mixture which is 
 to be purged away, when the glorious gofpel 
 difpenfation takes place; but when I take a 
 view of us as a people, I mean, as confident 
 with our religious principles and practices, 
 thofe mixtures do not appear; and there is 
 a number among us w^ho arc concerned to 
 walk confidently with the principle they make 
 
 profeilion 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. i6i 
 
 profeirion of and bear teftimony to. So that 
 looking at us as a religious people we are (till 
 the favoured people of the Lord, his owned 
 people ; I am not afraid to teflify to it among 
 you at this time, but I am not void of Chrif- 
 tian charity to all other religious focieties; 
 believing that whofoever fears God, and 
 works righteoufnefs according to the manifef- 
 tation of his will unto them, will be accepted 
 of him : and I do not doubt at all but that 
 he has many flieep that are not of our fold, 
 fome of v/hom he will bring in, fo that 
 there fhall be more generally one fhepherd, 
 and one iheepfold. But notwithftanding he 
 continues to be with us as a people, my 
 friends, when I take a view of us throughout 
 all our ranks, I am exceedingly pained, ex- 
 ceedingly diflreffed at times, becaufe of the 
 ftate of many individuals ; fome of whom are 
 not worthy to bear the profefTion which they 
 make, and my fpirit has lamented over them; 
 my fpirit has lamented that they fliould be 
 numbered amongft us as a people. I will 
 tell you what has run through my mind while 
 fitting in this meeting, and when looking 
 towards the fociety, '• How is the faithful 
 ** city become an harlot. " My friends, there 
 
 are 
 
i62 DISCOURSES by 
 
 are fome whofe fpirits are alienated from 
 God: however high they may (land, they 
 have no fell owf hip with him, nor have they 
 any right to have any fellowfhip with us as a 
 people. Yea, further, it has run through my 
 mind, ** How is the faithful City become an 
 " harlot; it was full of judgment, righteouf- 
 " nefs lodged in it, but now murderers.'^ 
 Is it fo, my friends, look throughout all 
 your ranks and into the condu£l of indivi- 
 duals, and fee if there be no occafion for a 
 complaint of this kind ; if any are acting in- 
 confidently with the high and holy profeiTion 
 which they make, to that flagrant degree as 
 to invalidate the teftimonies of truth which 
 have been given us to bear as a peaceable 
 people, as a right-hearted people, as a people 
 who were called to fliew to others how they 
 ought to \valk, and how they ought to con- 
 du£i therafelves, and. how clean-handed and 
 clear-hearted they ought to be in all their 
 practices in the courfe of life, and to lay hold 
 of nothing which the Lord*s controverfy is 
 againil. See I foy, whether there be not fome 
 occafion for this complaint taken up of old, 
 " How is the faithful City become an harlot; 
 " it was fiili of judgment, righteoufnefs lodg- 
 
 " ed 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 163 
 
 " ed in Ir, but now murderers:*' but I hope 
 there may not be occafion for much comphiint 
 of this kind to be made. I fpeak in teftimony 
 unto the truth which I am jealous for, wdiich 
 I am zealous to promote by my religious 
 labour after this manner 5 and while fo en- 
 gaged, am alfo concerned that my fpirit may 
 be feafoned with love; and that thofe that 
 are afar off may be brought nigh, as wxll as 
 that thofe that are nigh may acknowledge the 
 might of the Lord ; that we might be brought 
 to bow as a people before him, to bow in 
 truth and feek more earneftly to become uni- 
 ted in his love, through the baptizing influence 
 of his fpirit on our fpirits, than we have 
 hitherto done. Oh! beloved youth, you that 
 have been favoured, you that have been 
 called, you that have been repeatedly vifited, 
 lee me intreat it of you to open the door of 
 your hearts. " Lift up your heads, oh, ye 
 " Gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlalling 
 " Doors, and the king of glory (hall come 
 " in;" let the Lord make his entry into your 
 hearts by his fpirit, give room for it, my be- 
 loved friends, I intreat it of you ; give room for 
 the free fpirit of God; let it have its opera- 
 tion, let it redeem you into a flate of fimplicity, 
 
 let 
 
i64 DISCOURSES by 
 
 let it redeem yoii into a (late of humility, and 
 then you will be brought into a flate of true 
 tendernefs of mind, and in that tendcrnefs you 
 will become willing to offer yourfelves to go 
 up unto the Lord's help againft the mighty; 
 and it will be faid of you as it was faid of the 
 princes of Ifrael who offered themfelves wil- 
 lingly unto the Lord's help againft the mighty. 
 Oh that it may be fo, and that it may not be 
 faid of our princes as it was faid of fome for- 
 merly, " Her princes are rebellious, and com- 
 *' panions of thieves." My beloved friends, 
 bow unto his appearance, that you may be 
 clothed with that wifdom which comes from 
 above 5 which is firft " pure, then peaceable, 
 ** gentle, and eafy to be intreated, without 
 ** partiality, and without hypocrify, full of 
 " mercy and good fruits.'* Oh! that you 
 may feek this wifdom. Whatever ftation we 
 may fill in the church of Chrift, we muft daily 
 feek for divine aid, v/ithout which we fhall 
 remain in a ftate of weaknefs, and unfitnefs 
 for fervice. We mufl wait on him for quali- 
 fications to come up in the difcharge of our 
 duties. Oh that this were the cafe in all our 
 folemn meetings in which the affairs of the 
 fociety arc tranfa(5led j bowing in fpirit before 
 
 the 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 165 
 
 the Lord, and fitting before him in a flate of 
 humility, waiting on him for flrength: but 
 inftead of that, is there not too great a 
 dependence on human parts and human qua- 
 lifications. My friends, fee how it is with 
 you; whether you are all of you properly 
 qualified for the Lord's fervice, I intreat it of 
 you ; and be concerned that you may be 
 fitted for the fervice of God and his church 
 in your day. Servants are wanted, and the 
 Lord of the harvefl is willing to be intreated 
 to fend forth more faithful labourers into his 
 harvefl:. If there is but a willingnefs to be 
 fitted for his fervice, I fully believe there 
 are fome that will be qualified for it, and 
 brought into it unto his praife, and the edi- 
 fication of his church. I am not fpeaking 
 w^holly as to the work of the miniftry ; I have 
 no particular view to that fervice, but to the 
 various fervices that are in the church of 
 Chrift; but we mud be baptized deeply if 
 we are to be of that number who are inftru- 
 mental to build up Zion, and therefore I 
 intreat it of you, be willing to go down deet> 
 into Jordan. You mufl go down again 
 and again into Jordan if you become quite 
 cleanfed, and if you would come up fit for 
 
 the 
 
i66 DISCOURSES by 
 
 the fervlce of the Lord in your day. Well, 
 do not hefitate, my dear friends ; for akhough 
 it may feem difcouraging to go fo often to 
 judgment, yet there is the fupport of the 
 divine hand underneath: and when we come 
 to love judgment, we are feeking the way of 
 the Lord in the way of his judgments, for 
 Zion is redeemed through judgment. Oh ! 
 that this might be the cafe with many of the 
 vifited youth among us as a people; that 
 judgment might dwell in the wildernefs of 
 their hearts, that righteoufnefs might be as 
 in the fruitful field. Oh! that they might 
 witnefs the work of righteoufnefs to be 
 peace, and the fruit to be quietnefs and aiTu- 
 ranee of Divine Favour for ever. 
 
 Shake yourfelves from the dud of the 
 earth, come out of that worldly (late which 
 too many are in; the world and the things 
 of the world having principally engaged their 
 attention. Shake yourfelves from the dufl of 
 the earth, put on your beautiful garment, 
 even the garment of righteoufnefs, as in the 
 days of old; that the promife which I think 
 fucceeded, may be fulfilled, " Henceforth 
 " they fliall no more dwell among the un- 
 " circumcifed or the unclean.'* Oh! that 
 
 we 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 167 
 
 ti'e might indeed become a holy nation, a 
 peculiar people, a royal prieflhood, who 
 fhould fhew forth the praifes of him who hath 
 called us out of darknefs into his marvellous 
 light. If the faithful city is become an harlot, 
 if the minds of the people are alienated from 
 God, the fault is their own; his mercy is 
 inconceivable, and his call is to the hinder- 
 mofl: of the flock. " Return, O backflidine 
 " children:" "I will heal their backflidingsj 
 " will love them freely:'' for he is not willing 
 that any fhould perifh, but that all fhould 
 come unto the knowledge of his truth, and 
 be faved ; and he is flill holding forth the 
 fliepherd's crook of his love, even to thofe 
 who have wandered far Into the wildernefs 
 of this world: he is feeking their return, 
 afFe£tionately feeking their return, and caufmg 
 ihem to be laboured with time after time. 
 But it has appeared to me, friends, while 
 fitting in this meeting, that the teftimonies 
 which may be bcrne unto many of the pro- 
 fefTors of truth do not fink down deep into 
 their hearts, do not enter deeply into the 
 ear of their fouls; the labour of the gofpel 
 miniilry is to them but as a pleafant fong, as 
 the prophet formerly faid, that the people 
 
 came 
 
i68 DISCOURSES by 
 
 came to him as the Lord's people comet h, 
 they fat before him as the Lord's people, 
 they heard his words but would not do them : 
 " With their mouth, faith the Lord, they do 
 " honour me, but with their heart they go 
 *' after covetoufnefs." I wilh this may not 
 be the cafe with fome among us as a people, 
 as well as among many others. I wifli there 
 may not be a confiderable number whofe 
 hearts are exercifed in covetous pra^liccs: if 
 fo, let them remember that they are fubjeft 
 to the righteous condemnation of God, let 
 their religious profciTion be what it may. Do 
 not therefore continue only in the form, and 
 content yourfelves with a name; but come 
 to the examination of your condu^, and fee 
 whether there is not a caufe for thcfe com- 
 plaints: and if there is, my beloved friends, 
 be fmcerely and earnefUy defirous that the 
 Lord may reign whofe right it is, that there 
 may be no more occafion for thefe complaints 
 to be taken up againft you as a people, and 
 againft individuals amongfl us. But the com- 
 plaint is not againft all, .as I have already 
 hinted ; there are fome who, I believe, are 
 concerned, what if I fliould fay, to walk with 
 God, and to witnefs their affections to be 
 
 transferred 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 169 
 
 transferred from earth and earthly objc^ls to 
 heaven and heavenly enjoyments. Oh! ray 
 friends, thefe are precious in the fight of the 
 Lord; although they may feem to be hid like 
 precious ftones among rubbifh, they are ex- 
 ceedingly precious wherever their lots are 
 caft: and though they may be fuffered to lie 
 hid with the rubbifh, to fuch a degree, that 
 they are ready to think it may be their lot 
 even to become call away, they are precious 
 in the fight of the Lord : his penetrating eye 
 fees them in this fituarion, and he will felecr 
 them in his own rime; he will bring them 
 through ever}' difficulty ; he knows his own, 
 my friends, w^herever they are, and therefore 
 let not thefe be too much difcouraged, bu: 
 Jet them endeavour to depend on him. For 
 though they have lain among the pots, and 
 perhaps been defpifed, they will be brought 
 forth even as on the wings of a dove, which 
 are as filver, and all her feathers of yellow 
 gold. Their cups will overflow at times unro 
 his praife, they will be of that number whom, 
 when he makes up his jev/els, he will fpare, 
 even as man fparerh his (on that fer\'e:h him. 
 Well, my friends, I am ghd to feel fom.e fmail 
 degree of the revelation of his love and life. 
 H Oh! 
 
170 DISCOURSES by 
 
 Oh! that the dead might fo hear the voice 
 of the quickening power of Chriil, even the 
 voice of the Son of God, as that they might 
 live; might be raifed from death unto life, 
 and brought from under the power of fiitan, 
 to be fubje6l to the Lord's power. There 
 are who are feeking their way to Zion, and 
 have their eyes to us, and fit among us be- 
 caufe of the benefit which they hope to re- 
 ceive. But ahis! fome of them appear to 
 be difcouraged when they mark the unfettled 
 frare of fome of the profeffing members, that 
 are acknowledged members. My friends, 
 it is unto the principle of Divine Light and 
 Life that you muft gather, if you would be 
 laved. And, bleffed be the name of the 
 Lord, the principle is ftill the fame, and ever 
 will continue to be a powerful, operative, life 
 giving principle; — a principle that will do all 
 for us that is necelTary to be done for us ; — a 
 principle of Divine Grace which is able to 
 build us up in the mod holy faith, and to 
 give us an inheritance amongfl: all thofe that 
 are fan£tified. If there is a fettling down to 
 this, and we are attentive to the call of the 
 Shepherd and Bifliop of fouls in our hearts, 
 we fliall come to know his voice and follow 
 
 him 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 171 
 
 liim in fuch a manner as that we fhall be 
 ellabliflied in this religious experience, — that 
 great is the peace of the Lord's children. Oh 
 that many people may have to witnefs it with 
 us; may come to rejoice in a fettlement in the 
 truth, and be concerned to build on that 
 foundation that (lands fure ; againft which 
 the gates of hell fhall never prevail. 
 
 Well, my friends, I wifh more earneftly 
 than I can poilibly exprefs, that we may ex- 
 perience the Lord to be our fhepherd, and 
 have a comfortable hope that we fliall not 
 lack any thing that is good for us ; that he 
 will feed us in the green paftures and lead us 
 befide the ilill waters. Oh! my friends, this 
 is experience worth labouring for; I wifh it 
 may be precious in your view, that fo you 
 might attain it, and have to fay in the con- 
 clufion of time, * Mercy and Truth have 
 
 * been with me all the days of my life : I 
 
 * fhall dwell in the houfe of the Lord for 
 
 * ever." 
 
 H 2 PRAYER 
 
DISCOURSES BY 
 
 PRAYER 
 
 Delivered at Wejlmhifter Meeting ^th Month 
 igth^ 1782. 
 
 By CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 
 Moll gracious God I OLord, the language 
 that we defire to learn, through the infpi- 
 ration of thy Holy Spirit, is that of thee as 
 our Father; the father of thy creatures, who 
 knoweft their wants, and how to adminifter 
 to their necefTities. In the inward fenfe that 
 thou cared for them, they can at times look 
 up unto thee with that humble confidence of 
 thy care for them, and hope for the continu- 
 ance of thy mercy, that " Our Father which 
 *' art in heaven," is their language; " hal- 
 " lowed be thy name," is the breathing of 
 their fouls; '• thy kingdom come," thy fpiri- 
 tual kingdom, is the petition which they put 
 up unto thee. O Lord! may defires of this 
 kind be raifed more generally in the minds 
 of thy people; who have been called unto, 
 
 feafon 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 173, 
 
 feafon after feafon, to fcek thee and the 
 glory of thine excellent name, as their chief 
 good: may their petitions be put up unto 
 thee in fincerity. " Thy kingdom come, thy 
 ^* will be done;" take to thyfelf the govern- 
 ment of our fpirits, work in them thy gracious 
 will which thou halt manifefled to our minds ; 
 that many may come to thee by the wafhing 
 of regeneration and the renewing of the holy 
 Spirit of God, and give thanks to ihee for 
 thy affillance: for the children of men can 
 do nothing without the aid of thy holy fpirit, 
 they cannot pray with acceptance, they can- 
 not worfliip thee in fpirit and in truth, unlefs 
 thou art pleafed in thy abundant mercy to 
 afTiH: them and afford them thy fpirit from 
 time to time, to enable them to come to the 
 throne of grace, and to put up their petitions 
 acceptably to thee. " Lord! teach us to 
 *' pray," was the language of the difciples 
 of thy beloved Son formerly; and ic continues 
 to be the language of thofe who feel, who 
 are fenfible they know not how to pray, nor 
 what to pray for, but as the fpirit helpeth 
 their infirmities; may thy people in a general 
 way feek for a fenfe of their own infufficien- 
 cy to perform any acceptable fervice before 
 H 3 thee. 
 
174 DISCOURSES by 
 
 thee, that they may witnefs the operation of 
 thy fpirit upon their fpirits, preparing thanks- 
 giving and praifc, as well as helping them to 
 pour forth their fouls unto thee. O! pour 
 out thy fpirit, that ea-ch of us may woriliip 
 ihee in thy temple, even the temple of our 
 hearts ; grant that we may come under a more 
 united concern that this temple m.ay be cleanf- 
 ed, that it may be made a folemn houfc of 
 prayer, that we may be fenfible of thy livin'^ 
 prefence in that temple upon thefe occa- 
 fions and in thefe feafons ; and, therefore, 
 bow in humble reverence before thee, and 
 thankfully acknowledge that thou art worthy 
 to be praifed, that thou art God and changeft 
 not. Therefore, thy children who are led 
 by thy power, (a number of whom are fa 
 {tn[ib\c of this that they) can acknowledge 
 to thee, that if thou hadfl; not been on our 
 fide we had fainted long ago; bur, bleifed be 
 thy name, thou haft helped from time to time, 
 though it fometimes feems to have been ai 
 with a little help, and we have been enabled 
 to hold on our way : thus can we fct up our 
 memorial " hitherto haft thou helped us. " 
 What have we to pray for,but that thou, who 
 haft been with us hitherto, wilt be witii ui 
 
 to 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 175 
 
 fo ibe end, wilt fupply our wants, wilt fup- 
 port our fpirits, wilt llrengthen our hands in 
 the day of battle, teach us what to do and 
 what to leave undone, and more and more 
 conform our wills to thy holy will, favouring 
 US with patience in the time of trial; fo that 
 thy name may be as the fhadow of- a great 
 rock in a weary land, and, under the covert 
 of thy wings, that we may take cur refuge 
 in feafons of difHcuhies and didrefs, until 
 thou art pleafed ia thy wifdom to change the 
 difpenfations of thy providence to us. O 
 Lord! may the fpirits of thy children be en- 
 abled from feafon to feafon to look up to thee 
 as their father, and experience indeed that 
 thou art difpenfmg portions to them ; that 
 they may blefs and praife thy eminent name, 
 who, for the multitude of thy mercies both 
 ancient and new, art worthy of Hving praife. 
 Be pleafed to infpire us, is the language of 
 thy humble children; be pleafed to prepare 
 a facrifice of living acceptable praife ; for we 
 cannot praife thee either with our heart or 
 lips, acceptably, nor even in fpirit worfliip 
 before thee, unlefs thou art pleafed to humble 
 our hearts by thy power. Oh! that we may 
 H 4 J)ecome 
 
2 76 DISCOURSES by 
 
 become more fenfible of it; that we may from 
 one opportunity of this kind to another wor- 
 lliip thee in fpirit, and fay, thou art worthy 
 of worfhip and honour, thankfgiving and 
 praife. Amen. 
 
 A DISCOURSE 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 177 
 
 A DISCOURSE 
 
 Delivered at the Meeting-Hoiife in Wejlnwijier^ 
 17/Z; of s^h Months 17S0. 
 
 By CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 
 
 The punty, fplrituality, and efficacy of the 
 Chriftian faith is only clearly manifefted unto 
 fuck as are concerned that they may hold 
 the myflery of it in a pure confcience. Thefc 
 are acquainted with the nature of this faith, 
 and with the manner of its operating upon 
 iheir fpirits, in order to, effect that for which 
 it is appointed, in purifying the confcience, 
 cleanfmg it from fin, from dead unprofitable 
 works, and bringing it into a ftate wherein 
 ^an can ferve the hving God in newnefs of 
 life. This is the work of faith, of pure, 
 living, gofpel faith; without which we can 
 never obtain the vi(flory over our fouls ene- 
 mies : and if any of us have what they may 
 call— a faith, which has not been produ(f^ive 
 H 5 of 
 
1 73 DISCOURSES by 
 
 of this work in any degree, they may conclude, 
 according to the apofllcs teftimony, that it 
 is a dead faith, an unprofitable faith, if it de- 
 ferve that name. It has done nothing for 
 them, nor will it ever recommend them to ac- 
 ceptance with the Father through his beloved 
 Son Jefus Chrift. I will therefore endeavour 
 to put thofe here aiTembled upon the folemn 
 and nccelTary examination " whether they are 
 " in the faith;" — that true powerful faith 
 wherein the faints victory has ever flood; 
 whereby the world, the flefli, and the devil, 
 may be overcome. 
 
 We call ourfelves Chriflians, we moft if 
 not all of us profcfs to be the difciplcs of 
 Chrifl y but our " taking upon us that name, 
 that may portend our having a belief on 
 Chrift, will do nothing for us, unlefs we are 
 ingrafted into him by his living efficacious 
 fpirit : therefore it is as necelTary now for 
 profcfled believers in him to examine them- 
 felves and p*y*th6mfelves, and fee whether 
 ihey are in this faith, as it was for thofe' tb 
 whom the apodle Wrote, with whom he que- 
 ries, " What? know ye not your ownfelves; 
 ** how that Jefus Chrifl is in you unlefs ye 
 *' be reprobates! ** This is one point of the 
 • * true 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 179 
 
 true Chriflian faith which many of the pro- 
 feilors of Chriflian ity are unacquainted with : 
 fome of them are in fach a (late of forrowful 
 ignorance that they even mock at it, and arc 
 not afraid to think and fpeak contemptuoufly 
 of thofe who have been better inflrujfted; who 
 are fenfibie (agreeable to fcripture doctrine) 
 that, " if any man have not the Spirit of 
 " Chrifl, he is none of his;" and who have 
 been confirmed in the faith of the univerfa- 
 lity of the love of God to mankind through 
 him, when they read that he " lead capti- 
 '* vity captive, and gave gifts unto men:'' he 
 gave them (fays the apoille when he recur, 
 red to this prophecy, which went before, of 
 his c6ming, of his death, and of his work) 
 for this purpofe, " that the Mod High might 
 " dwell amongd them," and even unto 
 the rebellious he gave thcfe gifts; fo that 
 other teflimony of the apoille (lands confirm- 
 ed by this, that "the grace of God, which 
 " bringeth falvation, hath appeared unto all 
 *' men:" and a third may be added to them, 
 >vhich is, '*rhe macifefhuion of the Spirit 
 ^* given to every man to profit withal," yea 
 and many more vvaicli time at the prefcnt 
 will fail mc to cite. But this we may learn 
 
 from 
 
i8o DISCOURSES by 
 
 from them all, as well as from the nature of 
 God, that unto every one of us is given grace 
 for our help in time of need; which grace 
 is that " true light which " we read, " en- 
 *' lighteneth every man that cometh into the 
 " world." Chrifl the light of the world, 
 is certainly in us, unlefs we are reprobates ; if 
 we are reprobates the fault is our own, be-, 
 caufe we have fmned out the day of the 
 Lord's merciful vifitation unto our fouls, and 
 are therefore given up to a reprobate mind, 
 to work thofe things which are not conve- 
 nient. You may obferve, fuch of you as 
 have been converfant with what is written in 
 the Scriptures of Truth, that this was the cafe 
 pf fome in former days, of whom the apoflle 
 writes, that they did not like to retain God 
 in their thoughts : they had known him, he 
 had manifefted hirafelf unto them, becaufe 
 what is to be known of God he manifefled 
 in them: he bad opened their undcrfland- 
 ings by his free grace, his infallible grace, 
 but " when they knew God they glori- 
 *^ fied him not as God; but became vain in 
 *« their imaginations, and their foolifh heart 
 *« was darkened,'^ infomuch, that they went 
 on from one degree of rebellion againft God 
 
 to 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 181 
 
 to another, until they were given up to this re- 
 probate mind, to work thofe things which are 
 not convenient. The grace of God through 
 Jefus Chrift is univerfalj but it is not im- 
 polTible that mankind may refill this grace 
 againfl themfelves, though it is a powerful, 
 efficacious principle of light and life, and is 
 able to effect the work for which it is given ; 
 even to eife^t our falvation through what 
 Chrift has done for us, without us ; — this is 
 what this holy principle of divine grace is able 
 to do for us, within us. It will not force falva- 
 tion upon us againfl our confent ; we may refill 
 it againfl ourfelves, and do defpite unto it, as 
 we read in the fcripture fome did ; and put- 
 ting a flight upon fo great falvation brought to 
 light through the gracious gofpel of Chrift, 
 we may mifs of it : and after having been en- 
 dured with in much long fuffering, as we read 
 even the veffels of wrath had been who were 
 fitted for deftr nation, the Lord may with- 
 draw his good Spirit from us ^'' for, fays he,'* 
 " my Spirit fhall not always flrive with man." 
 If this fhould be the cafe of any prcft^nt, they 
 will certainly drop into this unhappy, deplo- 
 rable flate of reprobation. My friends, as 
 the will of God is our fandlification thro' the 
 
 Spirit 
 
i8a DISCOURSES BV 
 
 Spirit of his fon, the manifeflation ther€of h 
 given to every one of us to profit withal ; and 
 every one of us who is acquainted with it, 
 will not fit down fatisfied in the bare profeillon 
 of faith in Chrifl and in his holy do6lrines> 
 without being really in the true Chriftian 
 faith. Examine yourfelves, I fay again, try 
 yourfelves, whether you are in the faith. 
 *' What, know you not your ownfelves, how 
 «' that Jefus Chrift is in you," by a meafure 
 of his own free fpirit, " unlefs ye be repro- 
 ** bates.*' Have you fo long profeffed Chrif- 
 tianity and been unacquainted with the glo- 
 rious privileges of the gofpel difpenfatiou 
 under which the Lord firft teached his people 
 himfelf ; under which, blelled be his name, 
 his children are taught of him, inftru^led by 
 his free Spirit in their duty to him, have their 
 underftandings opened to the nature and im- 
 portance of that work which is abfolutely 
 necelTary to be wrought in them, and for 
 them, by the powerful coming of the fon of 
 God; even the work of regeneration, without 
 \^'hich none of us can (any more than man- 
 kind could in the days of our Lord) bear tef- 
 timony to this trath; — to receive the king- 
 dom of God we muft be born again of the 
 
 Spirit. 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 183 
 
 Spi lit. My beloved fellow- profefTors of faith 
 in Chrift, if we are found in him who is 
 truth, if we are acceptable unto God the Fa- 
 ther, we mud wicnefs a death unto fin, and 
 a new birth unto righteoufnefs ; we mufl ba 
 changed in the fpirit of our minds, and put 
 off the old man with his deeds, by the crofs, 
 with the many deceitful lufls that are in the 
 world, and be clothed upon witli the new 
 man, which is built up in righteoufnefs and 
 true holinefs. This is the work of faith, true, 
 living, operative faith, in the mauifeftation or 
 revelation of the Son of God, in our own 
 fouls, whereby we become new creatures; if 
 we are partakers of this faith we are new crea- 
 tures. "If any man,'* fays the apoftle, *'be 
 " in Chrift, he is a new creature ; old 
 ^^ things ar€ paiTed away ; behold all things 
 ^* are become new. And all thing? arii? 
 ^' of God, who hath reconciled us to him-" 
 ^' felf by Jefus Chrift.'* Examine yourfelves 
 my friends: and you who are here alTem-' 
 bled to hear this do£lrine, are you thus re-^ 
 conciled to God the Father through Jefnsr 
 Chrift? If you are not, you are in a ftate of 
 alienation from him, are ftrangers to the 
 commonwealth of Ifrael, and have no well- 
 grounded 
 
1 84 DISCOURSES by 
 
 grounded hope of a part in the covenant of 
 promife. My friends, is not this of the high- 
 eft concernment ? you will find it fo in that 
 folemn, awful, important feafon which is has- 
 tening upon every one of us : if wx are not 
 clothed with the righteoufnefs of Chrift, if 
 we have not been fo baptized into him as to 
 put him on, if we are not in that difpofition 
 wherein he ftood fully acceptable with the 
 Father, we are not likely to be accepted of 
 him, in and through his gracious mediation* 
 Therefore fee w^hat your profeflion of faith; 
 and religion has done for you; examine your- 
 felves, and fee whether faith has worked by 
 love, and whether the bleffed efFe£ls of its 
 operation upon your fpirits have been the 
 purifying of you, the cleaufing of joUT con- 
 fciences, and the making of your hearts fit 
 tabernacles for the Lord to dwell in. 
 ** Know ye not," fays the apoflle, " that 
 " ye are the temple of God ; " and he 
 will not dwell in an unclean- temple. He 
 condefcends to tabernacle with men; theuni- 
 verfal gift of his grace to men through Jefus 
 Chrift is, that they by experience may have 
 God dwelling in them, and walking in them, 
 and inftru6ting them, and feeding them, (I 
 
 mean 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 185 
 
 mean their fouls) with the bread of life, and 
 repknilhing them with the wine of his king- 
 dom; and as this was heretofore the cafe, it 
 continues to be the fame unto this day. 
 Shall we flight thefe glorious privileges which 
 are manifefl: under the gofpel difpenfition ? 
 Shall we be fo blind to our fouls intered ? 
 Shall we be fo blind to our happinefs, both 
 in time and eternity, as to fit down contented 
 without the experience of thcfe things ? Shall 
 any of us refl in an unprofitable form, which 
 we may call a form of godlinefs, and content 
 ourfelves with a name and profeffion of faith 
 in Chri{l, without being brought into that 
 difpofition and (late, wherein we can worfhip 
 God in fpirit and truth, in the beauty of 
 holinefs, and walk before him in newnefs of 
 life, which is a fruit of this living powerful 
 efficacious Spirit. 
 
 My friends, I wifh profeffing Chriftians 
 under all names were better acquainted with 
 thefe things, that they might be able to fay 
 as one did formerly, "bleffed be God who 
 *' has given me the vidlory." He obtained 
 the vi(flory through his true faith, and we 
 (hall never obtain it in any other way, or by 
 any other means ^ therefore, I fay, believe 
 
 in 
 
t86 discourses by 
 
 in him whom God has feiit, for this is the 
 firfl work upon the foul: believe in him 
 whom God has fenr, not only in the outward 
 and bodily appearance of his beloved Son, 
 and what he did for you without you, but 
 believe in his fpirltual appearance, believe in 
 his fccond coming unto the falvatlon of your 
 fouls, believe in the manifeflation of his free 
 fpirit, and you will be inftructed thereby if 
 you arc willing to be of the number of thofe 
 who are (iivcd; for that Spirit will, inilruci: 
 you, as it inflru^led the primitive believers, 
 and has inftru^ted a number through all ages 
 to the prefent time, to deny all ungodlinefs 
 and the world's lufts of every kind ; it will 
 make an end of fm, make reconciliation for 
 iniquity, and iinifh tranfgreffion, and in the 
 room therof everlafting hfe will be produ- 
 ced, which is the end propofed by the coming 
 of the Son of God and his giving himfelf for 
 mankind: he made an end of fm, and finifh- 
 ed tranfgreiTion, and brought in everlafting 
 righteoufnefs. 
 
 He '' gave himfelf," fays the apoflle, 
 ** that he might redeem us from all iniquity, 
 *< and purify unto himfelf a pecuhar pco* 
 *' pie, zealous of good works. " This was 
 
 ih.e 
 
CATHERINE PFIILLIPS. 187 
 
 the end propofed by his coming, and fliail any 
 dare to fay the end fliall not be anfwered? 
 Shall any boldly affirm that he is unequal to 
 the work which God has appointed him to 
 do? Shall any charge God with being fo 
 foohfli as to appoint a means that will not ac- 
 compiifh the end. If this was the end of fend- 
 ing his Son into the world in the fleili and in 
 the fpirit, think you his end cannot be ac- 
 compliflied ? do the means he has .appointed 
 fail? I hope none will boldly aiTert that thus 
 it may be ; or that it is impoiiible that fin 
 (hould be put an end to and tranfgreffioa 
 finiihed in the prefent ftate, becaufe it is 
 further written concerning fome of the Jews, 
 tliat they fhould die in their fms, and "where 
 " I am,'' faid Chrid, "ye cannot come." In- 
 deed, from various texts of fcripture, from 
 the do<5lrine which dropped from the lips of 
 the Lord Jefus, \^e may conclude that fm 
 ever did and ever will make a feparation be- 
 tween God and the foul of man; and if we 
 die in our fms, our fouls are not prepared 
 for admittance into his glorious prefence, be- 
 caufe nothing that defileth, or that worketh 
 abomination, or maketh a lie, can ever be 
 admitted thereinto. We mufl therefore put 
 
 off 
 
188 DISCOURSES BY 
 
 ofF our fins by repentance, which Is rendered 
 pollible through his beloved Son Jefus Chrift, 
 tliat we may caufe our fins to go before hand 
 to judgment, that we may experience the 
 body of the fms of the iiefh crucified, through 
 the operation of this word of hving faith 
 which I have t edified of amongft you at this 
 time, and that we may experience the rcmif- 
 fion of our fins, and partake of an inheritance 
 amongft all them who are fanctified, which 
 was the end propofed by the apoflle's minif- 
 try and labours. They preached this doc- 
 trine for this end, that they might turn peo- 
 ple from darknefs to light, and from the 
 power of fatan unto God; that they might 
 witnefs remillion of their fins, and have an 
 inheritance granted unto them amongfl- all 
 them who are fandlified. This. is poiTible in 
 every age and every part of the world, and 
 it is effected; for the divine power is not 
 changed, nor is his kingdom altered ; no un- 
 clean fpirit (hall ever be admitted thereinto. 
 
 The Lord can wafn us and fanftify us 
 through the powerful operation of his word 
 in our hearts. Therefore my beloved friends, 
 and you who are here prefent, let me intreat 
 you to believe herein^ and to wait for the 
 
 operation 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 189 
 
 operation thereof ; tharyou may be acquaint- 
 ed with the manifeftation of this tru€ Hght 
 in your fouls, that you may order your con- 
 du£l and converfation agreeable thereto, and 
 lay afide every weight and the fin which doth 
 fo eafily befet ; let us run with patience the 
 race which divine wifdom has fet before us, 
 according to the manifeftation of his grace, 
 and live foberly, righteoufly and godly in this 
 prefent world. Oh] what a change would 
 there be amongft profefling Chriflians if they 
 generally believed in this grace, and waited 
 for the operation of it upon their fpirits? 
 How would this world be altered ? All con- 
 fyflon would ceafe; peace on earth would 
 take place, and good will towards men would 
 be manifefl. We hear of wars and rumours 
 of wars j it would be manifeiled that all thefe 
 wars and tumults came from the unbridled 
 lufts of the creature: but the grace of God 
 regulates the paffions and brings the mfnd 
 into the meeknefs of the gofpel of Chrifl. 
 This grace will put an end to the caufe of 
 wars, and where the caufe is removed, the 
 effe£t will ceafe. It would be feen under 
 the gofpel difpenfation that men mud beat 
 
 their fwords into plowlharesj the words of 
 
 the 
 
loa DISCOURSES by 
 
 the prophet mud be fulfilled; and, blefTed 
 be God, it has been fulfilled, in fome mea- 
 fure, that men fliall "beat their fwords into 
 " plowfliares and fpears into pruning hooks, 
 " that nation fhali not lift up fword againft 
 " nation, neither fhalj they learn war any 
 *^ more;" and, when the gofpelfliall cover the 
 earth as the water covers the depths of the 
 fea, this gracious prediction of the holy fpirit 
 will no doubt be fulfilled. We have reafon 
 to blefs the name of the Lord that it has 
 already been fulfilled (though in but a fmall 
 number in the pad age or ages) ; for there 
 hath been fome in the various ages of the 
 Chriftian church, who have feen and teftified 
 that the fpirit of war is inconfiflent with the 
 fpirit of Chrillianity ; that if they were 
 brought into the full government of the Spi- 
 rit of ChriiV, the occafion of war would 
 ceafe; that it would be their duty to teftify 
 againfl it in word and pra£tice : this is but the 
 beginning of this work. When men*s minds 
 fliall be reduced into the meeknefs of the pa- 
 tience and kingdom of Chrift, it will go for- 
 ward in the earth. The Lord will yet open 
 the underflandings of many of the profelTors 
 of Chriftianity, and fliew them how con- 
 trary 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 191 
 
 trary the pracllce of the fiir greater number 
 of profelTors is to the holy profeflion they 
 make, to the nature of this pure, this hea- 
 venly, this renovating faith, that would fo 
 change the different natures of mankind, that 
 though their nature be as different as the 
 nature of the lion and the lamb, they fliould 
 lie down and feed together, and there (hould 
 be nothing to hurt or to deftroy in all the 
 Lord's holy mountain, becaufe the know- 
 ledge of God will cover the hearts of his 
 people in the earth, even as the water 
 covers the depths of the fea; and we truft 
 thefe prophecies will more generally be ac- 
 complifhed in the Lord's time. It is unex- 
 peftedly that I am led into thefe matters in 
 this affembly. I had no forefight of it, till I 
 ftood upon my feet^ but there was a tefli- 
 mony raifed in my heart to the purity and 
 fpirituality of the Chriflian faith, v/hich is 
 only manifefted to thofe who are concerned 
 to hold the myftery thereof in a pure con- 
 fcience, which the carnally minded man can- 
 not comprehend with all his wifdom and 
 learning ; all his fearches after it will be in 
 vain, without he is poffeffed of this power- 
 ful efficacious faith j therefore my friends let 
 
 me 
 
192 DISCOURSES by 
 
 me befeech you to feek to eftablifh your- 
 felves in the faith ; if you feek it in this way, 
 your underftanding may be opened by that 
 living word which divides between the pre- 
 cious and the vile, which will difcover the 
 thoughts of your hearts, and, if they are evil, 
 will bring judgment over your fplrits for 
 them. 
 
 This Is the way for you to be well inflrufl:- 
 ed in the kingdom of God. I fay a carnally 
 minded man cannot comprehend this faith; 
 he has no part in it ; it is not by wifdom that 
 man can comprehend the things of God ; by 
 wifdom the world knew not God ; it is not the 
 wifdom of the world that can reveal thefe 
 things. It mud be revealed by the fpirit of 
 God, for as the things of a man are only 
 comprehended by the fpirit of a man, fo the 
 things of Gcd are only known by the fpirit 
 of God. It is the glorious difpenfation 
 of the gofpel under which people are effec- 
 tually gathered to the Lord; for all who are 
 brought under this difpenfation know him 
 from the leaft unto the greatefl; they know 
 him to be merciful to their unrighteoufnefs, 
 and that their fins and iniquities he will re- 
 member no more; they know him to be a 
 
 father 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 193 
 
 father to them, and that they are his fons 
 and daughters : as fuch, they can look up 
 to him in every time of need, and breathe 
 their wants to him as a tender father who 
 cares for them, who will fupply them, and 
 knows their circumftances altogether. 
 
 My friends, time will fail me to fet forth 
 thefe glorious privileges of the gofpel. Oh! 
 that men were better acquainted with them j 
 and were preiling after an experience of them, 
 that many might be turned from the paths of 
 folly, from the paths of vanity and wickednefs 
 to feek after that holy way which has been 
 manifcfted to the righteous in all ages, and 
 which leads to the kingdom of God, There 
 is no other way we ought to prize in the pre- 
 fent ftate of being, or by which we lliall be 
 admitted into that reft which is appointed for 
 the people of God ; therefore let me befeech 
 you, feek, the Lord while he maybe found; 
 " boaft not thyfelf of to-morrow, for thou 
 " knoweft not what a day may bring forth ^'* 
 certainly there is a feafon appointed for all 
 men to die, and after death to come to judg- 
 ment. Oh! my friends, how deplorable will 
 be the cafe of your immortal fouls, if you are 
 not prepared to ftand with acceptance before 
 
 I the 
 
194 DISCOURSES, by 
 
 the judgment-feat of Chrlft, from whom we 
 mud all receive a reward according to our 
 works. And as this work which I have been 
 pointing out to you, is fo abfolutely necellary 
 to be done, and can only be done in the day 
 of the Lord's vifitation to our fouls ; let me 
 intreat it of you while it is called to-day, (and 
 let me fay to fome of you the day is far fpent 
 and the night is at handj thou knowefl not 
 what a day may bring forth, and how foon 
 this alarming meifage may be brought to thee, 
 *' Set thine houfe in order, for thou ihalt die 
 *' and not hve." It feems as if I could not 
 conclude without dropping a few remarks of 
 This kind as they palTcd upon my mind while 
 fitting in filence, though I did not know that 
 I fliould (land up with them, or that they 
 would be brought to my remembrance in the 
 courfe of this meeting ; but I wifli to have 
 people awakened (though I find it difEcult to 
 awaken them, they have fuch a flupified mind) 
 to hear what the fpirit fays to the churches. 
 Confider your flate, you who make a pro- 
 fefTion of thefe glorious gofpel truths; fee 
 what you know of them> and what is the 
 exercife of your fpirits; do not clothe your- 
 felves with the name, if you have a name to 
 
 live. 
 
CATHERINE PHILLIPS. 195 
 
 live, and are dead, if you profefs the form of 
 godlinefs, but deny the power of it, you will 
 be in a miferable (late, if you continue in this 
 flate to the end of time. Let me fay to all 
 who are not awake to righteoufncfs, but de- 
 luded by the world, the flefli and the devil, 
 *' Awake to righteoufnefs, and fm not;" for 
 *' fome have not the knowledge of God : I 
 " fpeak this to your fliame.'' 
 
 FINIS, 
 
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