Columbia Slnitiersfftj) intljeCttpofJIfmgork THE LIBRARIES THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALK LEY, TO WHICH IS ANNEXED, COLLECTION OF HIS WORKS. Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful ; but his deligh is in the law of the Lord, an4 in his law doth lie meditate botlj day and night. PSALM i. I, 2. PRINTED AND SOLD BY SAMUEL WOOD, NO. 362, PEARL-STREET. ?OLD ALSO, BY ABRAHAM SHEARMAN, JUN. NEW-BEDFORD : AND BY KIMBER AND CONRAD. PHILADELPHIA, 1808, a 3'^ : /9.^7Y& CD ,^ THE TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS, IN- PHILADELPHIA, CONCERNING OUR ANCIENT, WORTHY FRIEND, THOMAS CHALKLEY, DECEASED. The christian experiences of the faithful, being useful to direct such as are desirous of following them in the paths of true religion and virtue, and their good exam- ples shining with the greatest clearness, when they have, with the flesh, put ofi:' all human infirmities; justice to the memory, and a concern for the benefit of their sur- vivors, demand our grateful remembrance of them, and the contributing our endeavours to render their labours useful to posterity. These considerations engage us to preface the writ- ings of this our esteemed friend and elder in the truth, with this testimony concerning him. He was a member of our monthly-meeting above forty years, so that some of us had opportunities of being inti- mately acfjuainted with him, and of knowing his fidelity and diligence in promoting the cause of truth, and the edification of the church of Christ ; this having been the principal engagement and concern of his mind, and which he preferred to any other consideration ; as will evidentiv appear to those, who with an honest and unprejudiced intention, peruse the journal of his Hfc and travels. B}' this it will appear, that he was, in the early part of his life sensibly aftectcd with the visitation of divine life and grace, and, by adhering thereunto, was preserved from the vanities and follies which often divert and alien- ate the minds of youth from the due remembrance and aw- ful regard of their Creator ; so that he was enabled to bear a testimony of christian patience and self-denial in his youthful days, and, by keeping under that exercise, as he advanced in years, attained to further knowledge and experience in the work of religion, in which he had a sight of the necessity of keeping in a state of humility,^ and of bearing the cross of Christ, which mortified him to the \Aorld ; so that the loss many sustain by the anxious pursuit of the lawful things thereof appearing to him, he ^vas concerned to avoid it, and in obedience to the pre- cept of Christ, to seek lirst the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, having faith in his promise, that all things (necessar) for him) should be added. Thus the love of God inlluencing his mind, and open- ing his understanding, he became concerned for the gen- eral good of mankind, and receixed a gift of the ministry of the gospel of Christ, before he had attained the age of twenty-one years ; in the public exercise of which, he boon after travelled through many parts of Englarid, and into Scotland, and the next year, 1697, he c.ime to visit friends in this and the adjacent provinces of America, where his ministry and conversation were to the comfort antl edification of the faithful, (as some of us can with satisfaction declare, from our knowledge and remem- brance of him at that time); and the near fellowship and union he then had with friends here, (we believe) con- tributed to his more speedy determination of settling among us, which he afterwards thought it his duty to do, though the leaving his parents and relations (as he after- wards expressed was no small cross to him, being of a dutiful and affectionate disposition. After fixing his residence among us, he persevered in his concern and laijour for the edification of the churches, and gathering people to faith and dependance on the in- ward teachings of Christ, and for that purpose only he travelled many long journies and voyages through the sev- eral English colonies on this continent, and most of the islands in the West-Indies, and in Europe, through En- gland, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Friesland, and several parts of Germany, and the adjacent northern kingdoms ; and in many of these places his ministry and religious labours where blessed with tlie desired success, of which there are yet some witnesses living, and otherss who were convinced of the principles of truth by his means, became serviceable members of the church, and continued therein to the end of their lives. But as the wise king Solomon formerly observed, that one event cometh to the righteous, and to the wicked, so it happened to this good man, who met with various losses and disappointments in his temporal estate ; after which, the circumstances of his affairs engaged him to under- take some business, in the management of which he was obliged to cross the seas frequently : this, however, did not abate his zeal and religious care to make use of all opportunities of visiting tlie meetings of friends, when among them, and of calling, at other times, to such who might be accounted as the outcasts of Israel, and the dis- persed of Judah, or as sheep not yet of the fold of Christ ; and his services of that kmd are worthy to be commemo- rated, having been often productive of good effects. His patience was remarkable in disappointments and afflictions, of which he had a large share ; and his meek- ness, humility and circumspection, in the general course of his life and conversation were conspicuous and exem- plary; and as he frequently exhorted and admonished oth- ers to the observation and practice of the many excellent precepts and rules of Christ our Lord and Law-giver ; and more especially those expressed in his sermon on the mount, (which contains the sum of our moral and relig- ious duties) so he manifested himself to be one of that number, whom Christ compared to the v/ise builder, Avho bid a sure foundation ; so that his building stood un- shaken by the Aarious floods and winds of tribulations and temptations he met vx^ith, both from ^vithin and without. He was a lover of unity amongst brethren, and care- ful to promote and maintain it, showing the example of a meek, courteous, and loving deportment, not only to friends, but to all others, with whom he had conversation or dealings ; so that it may be truly said, that few have lived so universally beloved and respected among us : and it was manifested this did not proceed from a desire of being popular, or to be seen of man : for his love and regard to peace did not divert him from the discharge of his duty in a faithful testimony to those who professed the truth, that they ought to be careful to maintain good works ; and he was often concerned zealously to incite and })ress friends to the exercise of good order and dis- cipline established in the wisdom of truth, by admon- ishing, warning, and timely treating with such as fell short of their duty therein, and by testifying against those who, after loving and brotherly care and endeavours, could not be brought to the sense and practice of their duty ; and thereby he sometimes shared the ill-will and resentment of such persons. The several essays he wrote on religious f^bjects at sea, are further proofs that his mind was principally en- gaged in the great business and concern of religion ; and as he continued under the same engagement to the end, we are fully persuaded the words, with which he concluded his last public testimony in the island of Tor- tola, may be truly and properly applied to him, that he liad fought a good fight, and had kept the faith, and we doubt not, he now enjoys a crown of righteousness. Much more might be truly said of his integrity, faith- fulness and worth, but we do not think it necessary ; our chief intention being to express our respectful re- membrance of him, and our unity with his labours and services, and in order to assure those, to whom he was not personally known, of the truth of what he hath him- self wrote of his life and travels ; for we believe, as he was a man signally influenced with the spirit of universal love and good will to mankind, this was his chief mo- tive for writing ; and ^\"e are sincerely desirous that his good design may l)e answered, and that the glory of every good and pcrlect w.ork may be attributed to that Divine Power alone, which can qualify others to supply the places of those faithful ministers and servants of Christ, who have been of late years removed from among us, and are of that number, of whom it is written, *' Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Signed on behalf^ and hij appointment of the Monthly- Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia^ the tiventy- eighth day of the second mouthy 1749, by ISRAEL PEMBERTON. 1 1 1111111 11 ■ww m i niiiii will I I i n w I 'III ni III! 1 1 1 111! iiiiiiiiiiii III III! I M l I ■ \ n v iii i w i m g in JOURNAL OF TITE LIFE, LABOURS, TRAVELS, &>€-. OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. Having great cause to acknoxvledge the regard and pxotec- tioii of Divine Providence in the several stages of my life, I think it may he of service to others, to leave behind me the following account of my life and travels. 1 WAS born on the third day of the third month, 1675, in Southwark, t\nd descended of honest and religious parents, who were very careful of me, and brought me up in the fear of the Lord; and oftentimes counselJLd me to sobriety, and reproved me for wantonness ; and that light spirit, which is incident to youth, they -were careful to nip in the bud: so that I have cause to bless God, through Christ, on the behalf of my tender parents. And I may not forget the dealings of God with me in my very tender years. When between eight and ten years of age, my father and mother sent me near tv. o miles to school, to Richard Scoryer, in the subvn^bs of London. I vvcnt mostly by myself to the school ; and maffy and various were the exercises I went through, by beatings and .stonings along the streets, being distin- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY* guishcd to the people, by the badge of plainness which my parents put upon me, of what profession I was: di- vers telling me, " it was no more sin to kill me than it Was to kill a dog." About this time the Lord began to work strongly on my mind by his grace, insomuch that I could not for- bear reproving those lads who would take the name of the Lord God in their mouths in vain, reminding them of the third commandment, " Thou shalt not tiike the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takcth his name in vain ;" and of Christ's saying, " every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judg- ment;" for which I was mocked and derided by some, Mi(.] otliers would sometimes refrain from such bad words Avhen I reproved them. One time 1 remember I was amongst some men, one of whom I had reproved, and he told the rest of it, and turned to me, and said, " that I A\'as no christian," and asked me, " v.hen I said tlie Lord's prayer;" I asked him, if he said it. He said yes. I then asked him, how he could call God Father, and be so wicked as to swear and take God's name in vain ; Vvhich I had heard him often do ; and I told him ^vhat Christ said to the Jews, " }ou are cf your father the devil, because his works ye do ;" and that those that did the devil's work could not nuly call God Father, according to Christ's doctrine. So l)eing convicted in their consciences that what I said Was true, they v\'ere all silent, and wondered that I<, bei'.ig so youn.g, sh.ould speak in such a mailner ; in which I remember I had great peace and good satisfac- tion: and from thenceforih these men let me alone. jNotwithstanding I hated to hear wicked words, I loved play exceedingly, being persuaded that there was no hi.rm in that, if we used no bad words. One time I was at ])lay at a neighbour's house with the children, and in the midst of mv sport I was reached with stronj* conviction, insomuch that I could not forbear weeping. The children's mother observing that I wept, faid, ** ^vhy do you Avcep, Tommy ?" I told her I could not THE JOURNAL OF THOMAg CHALKLEY. iJ tt^l, except it was because I was a naughty boy. *' Oh!" said she, *' don't believe him, for that's the devil tells you so, for } ou are the best boy in all our street." But I knew I was told the truth by conviction, and that she was mistaken : for I plainly understood by clear con-^ viction, and by the holy scriptures (which I had beeu trained up in the reading of) that I was too vain and wanton ; for I io^ed music, dancing, and playing at cards, and too much delighted therein betimes, and was followed Avith the judgments of God therefor in the se- cret of my soul. What I did in those sports and gan^cs;- ' . ' I always took care to do out of the sight, and -withoiiligkfc the knowledge of my tender parents; for I was afraid ^^PPfcl^ their reproofs and corrections, the Avhich I was sure to ^ have, if they had any intelligence of it. I remember that, unknov/n ro my parents, I had bought a pack of cards, with intent to make use of them when I went to see my relations in the countrj/, v/here there was liberty in the family so to do, at a place called Woodford, about seven miles from London, where I got leave some-, times to go ; and at the time called Christmas,, I went to see them, and five miles on my way went to a meeting, at a town called Wanstead , at which meeting, a minister of Christ declared against the evil of gaming, and panic ularly of cards; and that the time which j)eo])le pretend to keep holy, for Christ's sake, many of them spend mostly in wickedness, sports, and games ; even some pretending to be religious ; and, generally speaking, more sin and evil is committed in this time, than in the like space of time in all the } ear besides ; so that the devil is served instead of honouring Christ. From this meeting at Wanstead, I went to the house of my rela- tions, where the parson of the next paiish lodged that night, who used to play cards with them sometimes; and the time drawing near that we were to go to our games, my uncle called to the doctor (as he called him)> to me, and to my cousin, to come and take a game at cards ; at which motion I had strong convictions upon me not to do it, as being evil ; and I secretly cried to the Lord to keep me faithful to him ; and lifting up my s A THE JOURNAL OP TIIOMAB CWALKLEY. eyes, I saw a bible lie in the window, at tlie sight of which I was glad. I took it. and sat down, and read to myself, greatly rejoicing that I was preserved out of the snare. I'hen my uncle called again, and said, " Come, doctor, you and I, my wife and daughter, will have a game at cards, for I see my cousin is better disposed.'* TiKn he looked upon me, imd said, " He was better dis- posed also." So their sport for that time was spoiled, and mine in that i^ractice for ever; for I never (as I re- mcraijer,) played with them more, but as soon as I came home, offered my new and untouched pack of cards to |ie fire. And of this I am certain, the use of them is of iV^il consequence, and draws away the mind from heav- en and heavenly things ; for which reason all christians ought to shun them as engines of Satan . and music and dancing having generally the same tendency, ought therefore to be refrained from. The sentiments of the Waldenses, a people in great esteem among protestants, arc worthy the consideration of all true protestants and christians; which were, " Tliatasmany paces, or steps, as a man. or woman takes in the dance, so many paces or steps they take tovv^iiids helk" I very well remember the work of God upon my soul, when I wim about ten years of age ; and particularly at a certain time when I had been rebelling jgainst God and my parents, in vanity and lightness : and as I had of- fended both, so I was corrected bv both: for I had not Oiily the anger of my parents, but the Lord frowned upon ine, insomucli, that 1 trembled exceedingly, and was as though I liearda vocal voice say to me, " VVliat will be- come of tliee this night, if I should take thy life from thee?" At AA'hich I was amazed, and in great fear. Then I covcp.anted wi'h (}od, that if he v/ould be pleased to spare niy life (for I thought God would have taken my life from me that ^'ery moment), I would be more solder, and mind his R-ar more than I had done before. Nevertheless, I broke covenant with God my Maker, m} adversary templing me so to do, telling me I was but a child, . nd it v/as natural for children to be brisk and play, and that God would wink at my childhood and THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 5 youth, and it was time enough for me when a man, to become reHgious. But still God followed me with his chastising rod, and often put me in mind of my covenant that I made with him in my distress ; and that he had granted my request which I then made to him ; and un- less I would take up a cross to my own corrupt will and inclinations, he should take me out of the world. Then, Oh, then ! I cried. Lord help, or I die ! Save me, or I perish for ever ! I cannot keep thy covenant, nor do thy will, without thy help and assistance ! And, indeed, if the Lord had not helped, I had been undone for ever. So I continued bowed down in my mind, calling on the Lord ; thinkincr and meditating: on heaven and heav- enly things : but as I am sensible I had an inward ene- my that always sought my hurt and overthrow, I have cause to bless God, who by his grace (as mine eye was turned to it) helped me to do his will, as he was pleased to manifest it to me, so that thereby some change was wrouijht on me both inwardly and outwardly. And I then began to deliglit in reading and sobriety, which before \\'ere irksome to me : and when I read 'he Holy Scriptures, I desired that God would open them to my understanding, which he did to my edification many times. 1 also begged earnestly of the Lord, that he would be pleased to be with me, and make me like to those his children and servants, of whom I read in the Holy Scriptures, who faithfully served him all their days. And when I read of the crucifixion of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, it would break my soul into tenderness. I thought it was enough to awaken and humble any soul that was well meaning, and h.ad any sense of the power, love, and grace of Christ. Thus I went on for several years, feeling that peace which pass- eth natural understanding, which many times accom- panied my poor and needy soul : and being advanced to about fourteen or fifteen years of age, I remember that I used to shun the cross of spea^- ing in the plain language (which I always read in the Holy Scri])tures) to those whom I conversed with, except my fiither and mother, who uould uQt allow me to speak otherwise : I was con- 6 THE JOfRKAL OP THOMAS ClIALKLKY. rictcd in my conscience tliat it was not right to pla}' the hypocrite alter that manner ; and on a certain time I had occasion to speak with an officer, a great man in our neighbourhood, and my heart moved within me for fear I should shun the cross of Christ ; for it was Christ's language to all, as we may read in the New Testament ; and the Scriptures, from Genesis to the Revelations, speak thee and thou, to a single person in a general way. So I took up the cross, and said thee to him; and he was much affronted, and said, " Thee ! what dost thou thee me for ?" I soberly asked him if he did not say thee |o his Maker in his prayers ? and whether he was too good, or too great, to be spoke to in the same language m A\'hich he addressed the Almighty ? unto which he made no reply, but seemed to fall from his passion into admiration, as one smitten in himself. And he bore mc respect ever after ; and I greatly rejoiced that I was preserved faithful. Though it may look a little thing to some, vet I found it good (as the Scripture saith) not to despise the day of small things. Aiiout the twentietli year of my age, I was pressed and carried on board of a vessel belonging to a man of war. I was ]:>ut down into the hold in the dark, not having any thirig to lie upon but casks ; and what made it worse to me, I was among wicked, debauched men ; and as we were shut up in darkness, so was their conversation dark and hellish. In the morning, for which I longed more than the watclnnen, the lieutenant called us up on deck, and examined us, whether we w^ere willing to serve the king ? he called me to him, and asked me, if I was will- ing to serve his majesty ? 1 answered, that I was willing to serve him in my business, and according to my con- science ; but as for war or fighting, Christ had forbid it in his excellent sermon on the mount ; and for that rea- son 1 could not bear arms, nor be instrumental to destroy or kill men. Then the lieutenant looked on me and on the peo])le, and said, " Gentlemen, what shall we do with this fellow? he swears he will not fight." The commander of the vessel made answer, " No, no, he uiil neither swear nor fight." Upon which they turned THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 7 me on shore. I was thankful that I was dehvered out of their hands ; and my tender parents were glad to see me again. Now as I s:rew in \ears, the world beran to take too much root in me ; i-nd my unwearied enemy would tell me that it was lawful enough (and indeed I see that he hurts many with lawful things, with v/hom he knoweth the unlawful things will not take) and here I had been lost if God had not been graeious to me. But he, in whose presence I deiiglited, withdrew, and deprived me of that enjoyment which was graceful and comfortable above all things to my soul. Then did I pray, witli tears, Oh, that it might be with me as it was at other times before ! and I was willing to let the world go, ra- ther than grace and God's glory. The Psalmist saith, *' no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psal. Ixxxiv. 11. Aijout this time there was a great concern on my mind, rightly to distinguish between the voice of Christ, and the whisperings of Satan ; and thus it opened to me : that Christ, the truth, always speaketh good, and for a good end, and that there is divine life to the soul in this speaking ; but the devil never speaks good, unless some- times for a bad end, and then not good in reality, only coloured with good or fair shew. And keeping under this exercise, the Lord appeared to me again, and many times refreshed my heart with his goodness. And when I was in my business amongst men, I did witness the Holy Ghost, the comforter, to be near me ; which was more to me than all the world, or the riches, glory and beauty of it ; the love of God being so sweet to my soul and spirit, my breathings, prayers and supplications, were to the Lord, that my neighbours, acquaintance, and relations, might also partake of the like precious faith and love which I enjoyed ; and that the children of men might answer that great and good end for which the Lord did create them ; which is, that glory, honour and praise, might ascend and be given t© Hin^. 18 THE JOURVAL OF THOMAS ClfALKLLY. I had such a sense and fear of dishonouring God, that I often, with tears, cried. Never let nie live to dishonour jthee. Oh ! it had been better for ine that I had never been born, or my mother's womb had been my grave, ithan that I should live to dishonour thee, or wilfully re- j^roach the name of Christ, who, with the Father, is only ivorthy of di\dne honour. In this concern I felt the gospel power of our Lord •lesus Christ to work upon my soul, and the word of God V.-as as a seed in my heart, growing, and opening in me, speaking to me, and making my understanding fruitful in th.e tilings of his kingdom ; and in that ability which was given me of God, through his grace and holy spirit, I exhorted peo])le to repentance and amendment of life ; and I always humbly desired the help and divine influ- ence of God's eternal word therein. Oh ! I did fervently pray, that I might minister the gospel in the power of Jesus ; for I clearly discerned, in the light of the Son of God, that all .ministering out of Christ's power, was neither edifying nor efficacious imto souls: therefore I did earnestly beseech God for the continuance of the gift of his spirit, that I might be enabled to preach the gospel in the. power of Christ Jesus. The concern that was upon mc on this account at that time, is hard to be ex- pressed in words. The latter end of the year 1695, my father sent me into Essex, on some business, which, when I had accomplish- ed, 1 visited some meetings of friends there, and my mind being much affected with the apprehensions of an impending storm (the nation being about this time threat- ened with an invasion from France, in favour of the late king James, so that there was expectation of much blood- shed and confusion in the land) I wrote^ a letter to my parents, and another to friends of the evening meeting (kept weekly at my father's house) expressing my thank- fulness to the Almighty, in remembrance of the many pr^^^cious visitations oi divine love and favour we had been partakers of, to the uniting our hearts to him, and to one another; and mv earnest jDrayers and supplications, that we might be preserved in true love, and the unity of the spir- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 9 it, which is the bond of everlasting peace ; and that the world might be made sensible of this true peace, which abounds in those who love and fear the Lord, and truly believe in the name of Jesus. Oh ! surel} , they would then depart from sin, and abandon iniquity, by which they incur the wrath of the Lord, and provoke the just one to anger ; so that the line of confusion seems to be stretched over the city and nation, and the eye of the faithful seeth it to the grief of their souls. Yet the mercy of the Lord, even of the just God (who will ren- der a just reward to every one according to his deeds done in the bod\ ) is stiii handed forth to the land. Oh ! that the inhcbitants thereof would consider their ways, and be wise, and turn to the Lord with unfeigned re- pentance, while the day of mercy lasteth, before it be said, now h is hid from thine eyes ; fcf the Lord, even the God and Father of Sj^irits, hath said, " My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh.'* Gen. vi. 3. On the expiration of my apprenticeship, having serv- €d my father faithfully seven }'ears, I entered more strongly into covenant with my heavenly Father and miaster, to serve him all my days, through his assistance ; and was soon after drawn forth, in the spirit and love of Christ, to visit the meetings of friends westward from London, viz. through Surry, Sussex, Hampshire, Wilt- shire, Devonshire, and Cornwall to the L'u^d's-end ; in which journey I was accompanied by William Koniould. At one of our meetings at Falmouth, in Cornwall, t\vo men (called gentlemen) came from the inn to hear the strangers ; and after meeting, they said they could take their oath that I was a Jesuit, and tliat they had heard me preach in a Romish chapel in France ; which was utterly false ; for 1 never was in France in my life. Be- sides, had I been a papist, or popishly inclined (which I was not) I was too young to be i. Jesuit. Indeed, I thought I was mean for the work of the min- istry, but the good remembrancer brought those truths to my remembrance, which strengthened me in the work and service of God. The spirit brealheth where it list- c iO Till: JOUKNAL OF T/IOil.'.S CHALKLKY. tth; outof thcmoiithsof biibcsand sucklingsthou liastpcr- fccitd praise, &.c. \\ c liaviiig great peaee in (>ur labours in tliis journey, and being edified therewith, returned to liOndon, after ab(;ut fotir months absence troni home. And alter I had been two weeks at liome, my dear ip.other departed this life, in a sweet fraiae of spirit, prais- inp; the Lord. She w^as one who hved the life of the rii hteous, and A\hose latttr end was like tlieirs, and left a good report behnid her, being weil beloved (I think I may safeh say) by all otir neighbours ; not only by those of otH' ow n societ\ , but others also, to \\ horn she w as oft- en "^ery helpful. So I went to my calling, and got a little money, (a little being enough), which I was made willirig to spend freely, in the work and service of my great master, Christ Jesus. And about this time I was con- cerned to travel into the north of England, and part of Scotland, which I did in that ability God gave me ; and that dispensation w hich I had freely received, I free- h handed forth to the people, devoting my strength and time to serve him (that had done so much for me) ; and I had the satisfaction to find divers confessing the truth, as it is in Jesus. In this journey I was from home about four months, being mostly alone as to any \ oke-fellow in that work, travelling many hundreds of miles, being as far as Edinburgh, in Scotland, where our meeting was in the street, we being locked out of our meeting-house by the then power, and great numbers of peoi)le were there. This news being carried to the provost of the city, he said, " The quakers would do more hurt out of doors than w ithin," and he ordered friends their 1 ey. Since which I have understood that friends in that city have enjoyed their meetings in the meeting-house ; and sometimes when the rabble have disturbed friends, the magistrates have sent officers to disperse them. Now, after I had visited the chiu-ches of Christ in di- vers parts of England, and had many sweet seasons of God's love, and many good opportunities with my friends and others in this nation ; (the word of life being de- clared in the simplicity of the gospel, in several places TirK JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLKY. 11 people were very open-hearted, and received the testimony of iL with gladness). And after I had been at my father's, and at my calling', a little after this north-country jour- ney, I found myself engaged in the love of the gospel to visit friends in America ; and having acquainted my friends and relations of my mind (they being willing to give me up) in order for the voyage, friends of ihe monthly-meeting gave me a certificate, and I had an- other from the meeting of the ministers in London. My father, and several other friends with me, took boat from London, and accompanied me to Gravesend, on the 21st of the tenth month, 1697 ; and I went on board the ship Josiah, Thomas Lurtiiig, master, and sailed that day from Gravesend, and got to the Downs the next day, where we tarried some days for a fair wind ; in which time several others, that were concerned in the same gospel-labour, came on board, viz. Thomas Turner, William Ellis, and Aaron Atkinson. In about four days time the wind was fair for us, and we set sail, and in a little time we got out of sight of the land ; soon after which the wind was contrary, and we proceeded but a small distance for several weeks ; the weather was rough and the sea boisterous, so that with the motion thereof, most of the passengers were sick. In this time we lost a lad, that fell into the sea (as he was drawing a bucket of water) and was drowned ; the ship running swiftly, he could not be saved, although it was speedily endeav- oured. Several others died before we got over ; but for the most part we were healthful. The Lord be praised, he was, is, and will be, with those that faithfully serve him to the end. We were three ships in company, but by the distress of weather, soon after we came out, we parted. After we had been at sea about eight weeks (on the 25th of the 12th month) we saw two vessels astern of us. One of them came up with us, and the people hailed us, and told us they came from Bristol, and had been out ten weeks. The other came up with us next day. T ic people informed us they had been at sea seven weeks, aiid that they had a dreadful time of it. She had 12 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. lost part of her topmast, and her spritsail topmast was gone. She was a new ship, and never at sea before, be- longing to London, and bound for Virginia, as near as we eould unelerstand : our ship lost none of her tackling, through the great mercy of God to us, though the wind and sea was wonderful high at times ; the mate told me, I might go to sea all my life, and not see the like ; he said he had been at, or used to the sea, twenty years, and never saw it so rough and high JDcfore. We had meet- ings twice a week, several of which were comfortable and refreshing meetings, to which most of the passen- gers, beirig in all about sixty in number, sometimes came; and several of them uere affected with the sense of truth, and the Lord strengthened our faith and hope in him. Oh I for ever blessed be the living and eternal God, who kept my soul above the fear of death, hell, and the grave ; for my trust was in him, and he did bear up my spirit above the waves of the sea ; and, in the time of toss- ing with tempests, I was comforted and cheerful, prais- ing the Lord in m}' heart, both in the day time, and in the night season. I was much concerned in my mind for many of the passengers, who, with the second mate, and several of the seamen, were very sick (by some it was thought neaf unto death) I cried to the Lord to heal them, in the name of his dear Son, and that it might be a means to convince them of the efficacy of love to, and faith in Christ Jesus, the physician of value ; and the Lord was pleased to heal them. The mate of the ship desired that I would come and pray b'^^ him. I went to him, and prayed in the pow- er and name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord help- ed him, that he said he was fine and easy, and thanked me for my love ; and in a little time he recovered. Several otlicrs of the seamen and passengers I was instrumental to help in their sickness. The Lord blessed my endeav- ours in supplicating him on their beh;ilf, and adminis- tering what I had to them. One of the seamen said, he was bound to pray for me as long as he lived, and that the Lord would bless me. Another of the p-issengers said, that I was tlie blessed doctor (for there was not a THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 13 sui*£^eon, or doctor in the ship). I was very free to com- mviJiicute of what I had to any sick person in the ship, and several blessed the Lord on my behalf. Indeed I thoii,^ht I could scarce do enough for any that were in distress. I write not thus, th.it I might seem popular, but with my mind bowed before the Lord. Many times in this voyage there were consultations in my mind, whether I had best write a memorandum hereof; but at last conceiving in my spirit that it might strengthen and excite love to God, and faith in his beloved Son, in true believers, I wrote as aforesaid ; and then I was satisfied, and gave the glory to God. Before we came to the land, we saw a ketch, which had saved the lives of some that belonged to a ship that was a little before foundered in the sea ; who said also, that a fleet of New- England ships which had been upon that coast, by stormy weather were forced to Barba- does ; and within a few days after we saw the land of Virginia, and also a New-England ship, which sailed or came from England three weeks before us. We arrived within the Capes of Virginia the 31st of the 1st month 1698, and overtook the John and Margaret, a ship that came out of the English channel with us (the master, Thomas Salmon, being dead) and the next day we anchor- ed our ship at the mouth of Patuxent river, in Maryhmd, where our boats were hoisted out, and we were ro\\'ed up Patuxent river twelve miles, to Arthur Young's house, where we lodged that night ; and for our preservation and safe arrival, we blessed the Lord our God, and my spirit praised him who lives for ever and ever. Our voyage Was above twelve weeks, it being then winter time, and for the most part the winds so high, that the ships could carry but little sail, which made our voyage the longer. About four days after we landed, we had a meeting near Patuxent river ; and a blessed one it was ! when it Avas ended, we went (that night) to Daniel Rawling's, and from thence to the C lifts, to Richard John's, a friend, that came with us from England, at whose house we had a meeting, wherein God's presence was powerfully felt. We had several meetings on that side the bay, called the 14 THE JOURNAL OF THOiMAS CHALKLEY. Western -shore, and then we sailed over to the east side of Chesapeak-bay,with Thos. Everden, in his sloop; wen: to his house, had a meetinj^, where many people came. Here we met with our friends Jonathan I'yler, Henry Pa} ton, and Henry Payton's sister. While I was at this friend's house, there was one Robert Cathing, who being very ill, sent for Thomas Everden, and he (not being very well) de- sired me to visit the sick person. So I went, and the man was near to death. Howbeit, he said he was comforted much with the visit, and that he never had received so much benefit by the parish priest in his life ; although, said he, it cost me dear for what I had ; and if ever I live to get over it, by the assistance of God, I shall have nothing to do with them more. But, he said, he should not live three days. And before the end of three days he expired. He desired (if I were not gone) that I would be at his funeral. On notice hereof, about ten friends went ; and there was a great many people, among whom we had a good opportunity, and many weighty truths were opened to them in the love of God ; and some of them were tender and wept ; and the most, if not all (I think I may say) were solid and weighty. From Thomas Everden's house we went to George Truii's, at whose house we had a meeting. This friend and I went to an Indian town not far from his house, be- tause I had a desire to see these people, having never seen any of them before. When we came to the town they were kind to us, spoke well of friends, and said they would not cheat them, as some others did. Fi'om George Truit's, in Maryland, we went down to Virginia; and in Accomack and Northampton counties wc had large meetings, and I hope they were effectual to many ; I think my hope is not without ground. In those parts we had several meetings, where ^ve were in- fo) nied friends had not had any before. And really I cannot but bless the Lord for the opportunities we had with the people ; for the goodness of God, through Christ our Lord, was great, both to us and them, and with tears thev did acknowledge the truth. Now Thomas Turner, who had hitherto accompanied me, went by tliq THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 15 sea- side the nearest way to Philadelphia ; and afterwards I had a nieetnig at George Truit^s brother's, and on the first-day, another near the court-house, and went to Tho- mas Everden's, and so to Leven Denwood's and thence to Nanticoke river, and visited friends up the bay until I came to the river Choptank, about which there is a pretty many friends. So I went on, and took the meet- ings till I came to Philadelphia, in and about which place, and in other parts of the province of Pennsylvania, I had many large and precious meetings, the power of the eter- nal Son of God being wonderful ; in which power we many times blessed his name together. It was much in my heart to exhort friends to love God, and to unity one with another, without which there is no fulfilling the law or gospel. There are many friends in that province, and many sober young people, which greatly rejoiced my spirit, so that for their encouragement, the Lord open- ed my mouth in a prophetic manner to declare unto them the blessings which he had in store for them, on condi- tion of their w^alking in the truth. Glory to God on high! untruth decays, and the branches of it mightily wither; the darkness is much past, and the true light shineth gloriously in many souls. Oh ! powerful praises be given to God, who is light for ever. From Philadelphia I went to Burlington, and so on to Crosswicks, where Ave had a large meeting under th6 trees, where some were convinced of the truth. From hence I went to Shrewsbury, and had meetings there : from Shrewsbury we went (mostly by water) to Wood- bridge and Staten Island, from thence to Long-Island, being accompanied by several friends. On Long Island we had several large and good meetings, wherein Christ was preached freely ; and after we had been two weeks there, we went on board a sloop bound for Rhode- Island, and by the way we touched at Fisher's and Block-Islands, and on the first-day morning We set sail from Block-Island to Rhode-Island, the yearly-meeting being just over when we got there. That evening we sailed over to Connan- icut- Island. On the third day of the week had a meeting there, and from thence we went over to Narraganset, and 16 THE JOURNAL QF THOMAS CHAI.KLEY. bad a meeting-, arid so over to Rhode- Island again, (where Ruth Fn , a sober young woman, was convineed, and remained a friend till hei deatli). Here I met with sev- eral travelling frierids. From this island we went over to the main, and had a large meetir.g on first-day, at a place called Greerwich. It was thought there were about five hundred people, and many of them were tender. We went over the same night to the island ; and after several open times with friends and others on Rliode-Island,about twelve friends of that island went with me to Warwick and Providence yearly -meetings, in our friend Borden's boat. We set sail about noon, and having but little wind, it was late in the night before we got there, and very dark, insomuch that we could neither see nor know one another, but only by our speech, and the darkness occasioned us to run our vessel against the rocks ; but at last we got ashore (with our horses) and after going over a very dirty slough, we entered a dismal wilderness ; so that these difficulties occasioned our not getting to thq; friend's house till the next day, which being the last day in the week, we had a meeting ; and on the first- day we had a very large and satisfactory meeting. Many of us were so united in the love of God, that it was hard for us to part one from another. From Providence I went to Boston and Salem, where I had meetings, and from thence to Hampton. In those parts God Almighty hath shortened the power of perse- cutors, and hath brought his righteous judgments upon them for their unrighteousness. Oh ! that New- Eng- land's professors might live in the sense of the same, and repent. I being a stranger and traveller, could not but observe the barbarous and unchristian-like welcome I had in Boston, the metropolis of New-England. Oh I what pity (said one) it was, that all of your society were not hanged with the other four !* In the eastern part of New- England, God hath a seed left of his people. * Marmaduke Stevenson, WiU'iam Robinson, Mary Dyer, and William Ledra, who were put to death in 1659 and 1660. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 17" From thence I returned in order to get a passage to the isle of Nantucket ; and from a place called Cushnet, wc sailed over to the said island in about ten hours, where we tarried several days, and had five meetings. The people did generally acknowledge to the truth, and many of them were tend^^r- hearted. Some of the ancient peo- ple said, that it was never known that so many people ' were together on the island at once. After the first meeting was over, one asked the minister, (so called) whether we might have a meeting at his house ? he said, with a good will, we might. This minister had some discourse with me, and asked. What induced me to come hither, being such a young man ? I told him that I had no other view in coming there, than the good of souls, and that I could say with the apostle that a ne- cessity was laid upon me, and wo would be to me if I did not preach the gospel. Then, said he, I wish you would preach at my house in God's name. So next day we had a meeting at his house ; and on first-day we had the largest meeting that we had on the island. It was thought that there were above two hundred people. The Lord in his power did make his truth known to the praise of his name. Oh ! how was my soul concerned for that people ! The Lord Jesus did open my heart to them, and theirs to him. They were also loving and kind to us. The chief magistrate of the island desired that I would have a meeting at his house, there being no settled meeting of friends before I came ; and after meeting lie disputed about religion with me. I thought we were both but poor disputants ; and cannot remember all that pass- ed between us, but that in the close of our dispute, he said, I disputed with your friends in Barbadoes, and they told me, that we must eat the spiritual flesh, and drink the spiritual blood of Christ : And, said the governor, did ever any one hear of such flesh and blood ; for is it not a contradiction in nature, that flesh and blood should be spiritual ? Oh ! surely, said I, the governor has for- got himself; for what flesh and blood was that which Christ said, except ye eat my flesh, and drink my blood, ye have no life in you. Why, said he, I do not tliink J) 18 THi: JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLF.Y. they were to gnaw it from his iirnis and shoulders. I' then told him, he had answered himself. 'J'hus our dis- pute ended. And from that time forward they have con- tinued a meeting", and there is no\v a meeting-house, and a yearly meeting for worship ; it is a groA\ing meeting tp this day, and several public friends are raised up amongst tilt m, "who preach the gospel of Christ freely. At this time a friend was convinced, whose name was Starbuck, \\ho became \ery serviceable, and livedand died an eminent minister of Christ on that island. Sev- eral scores of them came and accompanied us to the water-side ; and when we embarked on board our sloop, they desired that I would come and visit them again. So I recommended them to the grace of our Lord Jesus, and we parted in great love and tenderness. In the even- i]ig of the next day we got to the main land, where Ave were gladly received. Now it was in my heart again to visit the eastern parts of New- England before I left Amer- ica ; therefore I went to Boston ) early-meeting, thence to Lynn and Salem, where we had a sweet comfortable time ; likewise to the yearly -meetings, at Dover, and so to Piscataway, where we had several meetings, which were prohtable opportunities to many. From Piscata- way, James Goodbridge and I went over to the Isle of Shoals ; we had with us a church-member of the Presby- terians, whose brother invited her over A\ith us to the said island, to the meeting which was at his house ; and while he was talking with her in the yard or garden, I saw a bible, and took it, and read therein. When she came into the house, she asked me, What I did with that book ? I told her, if she was offended I would lay it down. No, no, said she, don't think to come oft' so, for }ou disown or deny that book. I told her she Avas mistaken ; and asked who told her so. Why, said she, our minister in his juijpit. I replied, that it was a great abuse upon us, for I had been trained up from my child- hood in the reading and i^elief of the scriptures, and my fiither and mother were friends, (that is Quakers.) She willing to try me further, said. Did your fother and moth- er suffer yoii to read the bible when you were a little boy ? fHE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 1^ Yes said I, and gave me corrt ction when I was not so willing to read therein as they would have me. Tlien, said she, our minister has belied you ; and since you say so, if it please God, I will go and hear you. She went with us to meeting ; and after it was over (going home) one asked her, how she would answer it to their minis- ter for going to meetings. Siie replied, it was truth she had heard, and she would stand by it through the grace of Christ, and need not be ashamed of it, though we are of ourselves but poor weak creatures. This woman was sober and religious, and one of good report. By the foregoing we may see how skinders flow from some pul» pits : the more is the shame and pity. We went on, and preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, in that ability he gave us, with which the people were affected. and would have had us tarry longer, but we could not, although they much importuned us, because we had ap- pointed a meeeting at Oyster river. After we had had several meetings, about Piscataway and Dover, we went to Hampton, where we had meetings ; and at Salisbury we had a large open meeting, as it was supj^osed, of about three hundred people, which was at this time ac- counted a great concourse of people thereabouts ; also at Jamaica and Haverhill we had meetings, and from thence Ment to Salem and L} nn again, where we had good ser- vice for truth ; and then to Boston, and had a meeting at the meeting-house, and another at a friend's house in the evening, at which there vvere many people. From Boston I went to visit friends about Cape-Cod, till I came again to Rhode-Island. By the way I met with A.iron Atkinson, who was on a visit to friends in New- England. I had several good opportunities, and powerful meetings, in those parts, and tru h wrought a tenderness in divers at Rhode-Island. The presence of him, who said. Where two or three are met in my name, there am I in the midst of them, being sensibly witnessed by many; for he was with us of a truth. From thence I went round the Narraganset country, and had meetings at sev- eral places, and was acconij^anied by John Rodman, and William Beackiey, through Connecticut to Long- 20 THE JOURNAL OF THCMAS CHALKLKY, Island, which is accounted two hundred miles ; we had oiit niectiiig by the way, in which Christ was preached to them, as he is the Light of the world, at a place wl'.ere we were told there never was a friend's meeting before. I came to Long- Island about two weeks belore the general meetii g, and visited friends in several pU.ces on this island, as at Hampstead, Jerusalem, Jericho, and Bethpage, where there were large meetings, and uuich openness among the people, and some were con- vinced. We had a meeting at a place called Matinico<:k, where I met wilh some of the people called Ranters, who disturbed our meeting. I may say as the apostle Paul (only altering Ephesus to Matinicock) that I fought With beasts there ; and thence I travelled to New- York, where we had two meetings ; from thence we went to ll I Jerseys, and there we had several serviceable meet- ings that were large; and so to Penns\ Ivania, where there are many very large meetings of friends, and the Lord is wilh his people there, and prospereth them s]Hrit- ually and temporally. Here I met with m}' dear friend W m. Lilis. From Philadelphia, Rich. Gove, of that city, and 1 traveliedtoJViar} land, and visited friends on the west- ern shore, and from ihenee to Vu'ginia- In Virginia, near JjiiTies' river, I met w ith an aged friend whose name was Wm. Pprier. He was ninet} -two years of age, and had then a du lighter two years old.* We had several meet- it igs there amongst friends and others, many being well satisfied concerning the truth, atid spoke well of it. And after we had had several good and open nicetings in \ irgiiiia, we lound ourselves clear of America, and in order lor our passage, we agreed with our friend F. Johnson, on board the Elizabeth arid Mary, to carry us for England, * Some years afier, I saw him, and he was weeding' Indian corn with a lioc. Hi was tl.cn iiboiit 106 years ot" ..g-e, and i' (i ipw , ds of He\c'!ity children, gi-;i dcii idren, ;vnd gicat-j^ran -children. We were divers fViei ds of us to see him, and 1 «■ preaciicd to us a short, but vo-y ;dlt i ling- seimon, wh.ch w.is, a.T. ;iear as I remember, verbatim, tlius : " Friends, you are curm- to see inc In the hive ot G(.d. God is love, ;ind th.ose that dwell m God, dwell in lo\e. I ilia '; God, i fc;! ' s divine liu- everyday ;.nd e^e^y niglu." He lived to seeliis above mentioned daughter married, and died, aged lOr years. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 21 On the 11th of the first month, 1698-9. we were ac- companied on board by several friends, who abode with us all night ; and the next day, being the first day of the week, we had a little comfortable meeting, and then part- ed in much love, having the evidence of the power of the Almighty with us. We waited for a fair wind until the 20th of the aforesaid month, and left the Capes of Vir- ginia that day, and at night we got our ship into a sailing posture ; and I was glad in my spirit, that I was setting my f ice towards my native land ; and more glad that I was returning with peace in my bosom. Oh! the power and presence of him who said. Go, teach all nations, was sweet to my soul at that time, and now in some measure I enjoyed the fruits of my having laboured in that ability God had given to me. Glory to God, through Christ, who is worthy for ever ! The presence of God was with us on the great ocean, and we were strengthened through his goodness wonderfully. We had several good meet- ings on board our ship, and were opened in the love of God, to the poor seamen very largely. When we launched forth into the deep, we were sev- eral ships in company ; but we had been but a little time at sea, before we lost sight of them all. Several ships passed by us about a week after we sailed ; and about this time we saw a very large whale, which lifted itself part out of the water, with his mouth open, which looked like the entrance of a large cave. We likewise saw sev- eral other large sea-fish, such as grampusses, sharks. Sec. all which shew forth the wondrous works of the great: Creator of all things. Elizabeth Webb, and Elizabeth Lloyd went over with us in this vessel, both virtuous women. About two weeks the winds ^vere mostly fair for us, in which time we got finely on our way ; but for above a week afterwards the winds were mostly con- trary, and the ship had a great motion, which caused some of us to be sea-sick, especially Elizabeth Lloyd '^S * She was the daug-hter of Thomas Lloyd, late deputy-governor of Penn- sylvania. She lived and died a virtuous woman ; and, I think, generally he- 22 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLET. who was but wcukl_y. One nis;ht our sailors thought that an enemy or pirate was near us, m ho fired two guns, and so passed by us ; but it beina- night, we could not cer- tainly know what she was. 1 rather judged it might be some ship in distress, for we saw one of the ships that evening that came out with us, and the next morning we could see none at all, and there was hardly any wind that night, so I feared that our companion had sprung a leak and foundered ; and when I toid our master my opinion, he said, he feared the same likewise. Now, tor two weeks time, or thereabouts, we beat about the sea, and made little progress. Howbeit, we had several good meetinjjs, ^^ herein we tcave o'lorv to God, our Saviour ; and for e\ er let it ascend, saith my soul, to him over all ! After contrary winds, about two weeks, the wind sprung 11 1") westerly, and was fair for several days ; in \\ hich time we got finely on our way again, 'and left the West- ern IsKmds about two day's sail behind us; and then the wnid A\as contrary agAin. Contrary winds are commonly- tedious at sea, but especially to those that know not \^1iere t6 stay their minds ; but we being several friends of us on board, that were passengers, had oftentimes good meetings several times a week ; and if any of our ship's company came to meeting, they always were sober, and sometimes tender ; and truly God's love was extended to^^-ards them. And when it was not our meeting days, we spent not our time idl\ , but for the most part in read- ing the holy scriptures, and writing, Sec. in which we were at sundry seasons greatly refreshed, strengthened, and comforted. Oh ! my soul ! glorify God thy Maker, and Christ th}- Saviour forever, in the sense of his good- ness ar.d mere}-, both by sea and land, by night and by day ! Afrer we had been almost seven weeks at sea, we thought that we were near the land, but we sounded sev- eral days, and found no bottom, although we let out abundance of line, I thjnk aboAC three hundred yards. lovcrl 1)\- :tll ^vhn were .-ic(|ua\ntc(l w-th licr. A\Micn slie died she was tlic: wifcot' ;);iniclZ;Kliar\, ii iiurtliaiU of Boston, New-Eng-land, well known, and much bc-lovcd thcix*, for her piely and virtue. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEV. 23 About ihis time our doctor dreamed a dream, which was to this effect ; him^^elf related it to me ; he said, " He dreamed that he went on shore at a great and spa- cious town, the buildings whereof were high, and the streets broad ; and as he went up the street he saw a large sign, on which was written, in great golden letters, SHAME. At the door of the house to which the sign belonged, stood a woman with a can in her hand, ^vho said unto him, Doctor, will you drink ? he replied, with all mv heart, for I have not drank any thing but water a great while, (our wine and cider being all spent, having had a long passage) and he drank a -hearty draught, which h'^ said, made him merry; so he went up the street reel- ing to and fro, when a grim fellow coming behind him, clapped him on the shoulder, and told him, that he ar- rested him in the name of the governor of the place. He asked him for what ; and said. What have I done ? He answered, for stealing the woman's can ; the can he had indeed, and so he was had before the governor, which was a mighty black dog, the biggest and grimmest that ever he saw in his life ; and witness was brought in against him by an old companion of his, and he was found guilty, and his sentence was to go to prison, and there lay for €ver," He told me this dream so punctually, and with such an emphasis, that it affected me with serious sadness, and caused my heart to move within me ; for to me the dream seemed true, and the interpretation sure : I then told him he was an ingenious man, and might clearly see the interpretation of that dream, which exactly answered to his state and condition, which I thus interpreted to him : " This great and spacious place, wherein the buildings were high and the streets broad, is thy great and high profession : the sign, on which was written shame, which thou sawest, and the woman at the door, with the can in her hand, truly represents that great, cry- ing, and shameful sin of drunkenness, which thou know- est to be thy great weakness, which the woman with the can did truly represent to thee ; the grim fellow who ar- rested thee in the devil's territories, is death, who will 24 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. assuredly arrest all mortals ; the governor whom thou sawest, representing a great black chjg, is certainly the devil, who after his servants have served him to the full, wil! torment them eternally in hell." So he got up, as it were in haste, and said, God forbid ! it is nothing but a dream. But I told him it was a very significant one, and a warning to him from the Almighty, who some- times speaks to men by dreams. In seven weeks after we left sight of the land of Amer- ica, we saw the Scilly islands, and next day saw the land of England, which was a comfortable sight to us ; in that God Almighty had preserved us hitherto, and that we were so fir got on our way. We drove about the channel's mouth for several days for want of wind ; after which, for two days the wind came up, and we got as f:u' up the channel as Limebay, and then an easterly wind blew fresh for several days, and we turned to windu^ard, but rather lost than got on our way, which was tiresome and tedious to some of us. Nov\^ about diis time, being some days after the doc- tor's dream, a grievous accident happened to us. We meeting with a Dutch vessel, in Limebay, a little above the Start, hailed her, and she us. They said they came from Lisbon, and were bound for Holland. She was loaded with wine, brandy, fruit, and such like commodi- ties and we having little but water to drink, by reason our passage was longer than we expected, therefore we sent our boat on board, in order to buy us a little wine to drink with our water. Our doctor, and a merchant that was a passenger, and one sailor, went on board, where they staid until some of them were overcome with wine, although they were desired to beware thereof; so that when they came back, a rope being handed to them, (they being filled with wine unto excess) were not capa- l3le of using it dexterously, insomuch that they overset tht boat, and she turned bottom upwards, having the doctor under her. The merchant caught hold of a rope called the main-sheet, whereby his life was saved. The sailor not getting so much drink as the other two, got nimbly on the bottom of the boat, and floated on the THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 85 water till such time as our other boat was hoisted out, which was done with great speed, and we took him in ; but the doctor was drowned before the boat came. The seaman that sat upon the boat saw him sink, but could not help him. This was the greatest exercise that we met with in all our voyage ; and much the more so, as the doctor was of an evil life and conversation, and much given to excess in drinking. When he got on board the aforesaid ship ; the master sent for a can of wine, and said, doctor, will you drink ? He replied, yes, with all my heart, for I have drank no wine a great while. Upon which he drank a hearty draught, that made him merry (as he said in his dream)* ; and not. withstanding the admonition which was so clearly mani- fested to him but three days before, and the many pro. mises he had made to Almighty God, some of which I was a witness of, when strong convictions were upon him, yet now he was unhappily overcome, and in drink when he was drowned. This is, I think, a lively re- presentation of the tender mercy, and just judgment of the Almighty to poor mortals ; and I thought it worthy to be recorded to posterity, as a warning to all great lovers of wine and strong liquors. This exercise was so great to me, that I could not for several days get over it ; and one day while I was musing in my mind ©n those things relating to the doctor, it was opened to me, that God and his servants were clear, and his blood was on his own head ; for he had been faithfully warned ©f his evil ways. We were obliged by contrary winds to put into Plym- outh harbour, and from Plymouth I went by coach to London, where I was gladly received by my relations and friends. In this journey I travelled about 2000 miles by land, and 6000 by water. I got to the yearly meetinp- of friends in London, in the year 1699 (which was large) * This relation of the doctor's drerim, wlien I was at Barbadoes, I had oc- casion to write about to a friend in Ireland, which he t^ot pi nted thi iv, wlii«Il J^ the same With this in substance, only this is somswhat fuller and liu-jfer. 26 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CITALKLEY; arcl was at di^"crs public meetings fcr the worship of Ainiighly Gud. I may triuy say, the Holy Ghost was amongst us, blessed be God our Suviour for evermore. In this year I thought it my place to enter into a mar- ried state, and I acquainted my fatlier of my design, and that I inciined to make choice of Martha Betterton, a religious young woman, whom I entirely loved for that piet} , virtue, and modesty, which I beheld in her : I was in the twenty -fourth year of n^y age, and she in her twenty-first. I likewise acquainted her father and moth- er with my intentions, to which both our parents con- sented ; her father saving (when I spoke to him) go to- gether, and the Lord bless }ou together. And my fath- er said, it I was \\orth my weight in gold, she deserved me. The heartintss of both our fathers in this matter, was more to me than a portion of silver or gold, of which we had but very little; but our love to each other was very great, and being well and honourably grounded, it was not easily shaken. So after consent of parents, wc proposed our intentions of marriage to the monthly meet- irigs unto which we belonged ; and because I had been travelling in America, I had certificates from my breth- ren there, not only of my industry and labour in the min- istry, with the good effects thereof, but also of my clearness in relation to marriage ; and after having twice published our intentions, we had liberty of the said meet- ing to proceed to the solemnization of our marriage, which was accomplished at Devonshire-house, in London, at a meetifig appointed for that end, on the 28th day of the seventh mon-h, in the aforesaid year, in the presence of many hundreds of people, and many worthy brethren and elders. A day of days it was to my soul ! wherein I was made sensible of the love and goodness of God in a particular manner, which to me was an earnest of our future well-doing. My dear wife was one who truly loved and feared God, and had an excellent gift of the ministry given unto her, and was serviceable therein. [A paper coming to my hands of her own hand- writing ai\d composing, I transcribe it here. She calls it, an account of the exercise of Martliu Betterton, viz. ' ' As. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKI.EY. Qti I was walking in the city of London, with a concern on my mind, in beholding the abominable pride of the peo- ple ; it opened upon my mind in this wise : Wo, wo ! to the crown of pride ! And then I was deeply bowed in my spirit before the Lord, and it was said to me, I will yet spare a little longer ; I have sheep which I will gather home to me, and there shall be one shepherd and one sheepfold. Then I said in my heart, Oh! Lord, shall I be one of thy sheep belonging to thy sheepfold of eternal rest. And again it was answered me. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me. Then a cry was raised ia me, Cause me to hear thy voice ; and not only so, but enable me to obey the same. And then this charge was returned to me. Be thou faithful."] Soon after I was married, I had a concern to visit friends in the counties of Surry, Sussex, and Kent, which I performed in about two weeks time, and came home and followed my calling, and was industrious therein ; and, when I had gotten something to bear my expenses, and settle my wife in some little business, I found an ex- ercise on my spirit to go over to Ireland, to visit our friends and brethren on that island, in which William Townshend accompanied me, and friends in that nation were generally satisfied with our service among them. When we had been from home about ten weeks, and had visited most parts of that nation, having had many meet- ings among friends, and others, we found freedom in our minds to return home, which we did, being comforted in our service, and blessed the name of the Lord. After some few months, I acquainted my wife and my father, with her father and mother, that I thought it my duty to go over and live in America. To which propo- sal my father consented, though with tenderness of heart, considering that I must be so far separated from him. I also laid it before the monthly meeting of friends, at Horsley-down, in Southwark, of which meeting I was a member, who consented to it, though somewhat unwilling to part with us, and gave us their certificate, to let our brethren know that we were in love and unity with them, and walked according to our profession. And when we 28 THE JOURNAL O? THOMAS CHALKLEY. were ready, and in order for going, we agreed for the frt ight ci our goods and servants, with John Snowdtn, and bliipi.cd thtm on board the Josiah, bound lor Mary- land. When the ship was at Gravescnd, and ready to sail, several of our dear relations and friends accompanied us to the ship, on board of which we had a good meeting, and took our solemn leave of one another, as never ex- pecting to see each other any more in this world. It was a solenm time indeed ! We prayed for one another, and so parted, our ship sailing that evening, and we got to INiargate-road, where we anchored, and the wind sprung tip very fresh, and bievv tempestuously, so that we broke our cable, and iost our best bower anclior, and diove vio- lently towards the Goodwin Sands. We let go our sheet anchor, and three more, which were all we had, but they did not stop her ; upon which the master ordered the carpenters to stand by the mainmast, with their axes upon their shoulders, and when he gave the word, then they were to cut the mast. The people in the ship (there being divers passengers), were in a great consternation, expecting nothing but death: but, for my part, being ex- ceedingly sea sick, and having been in many storms, I was not so much surprized with this, the sailors some- times making a great noise M'hen there is but little danger; but there was more danger than I was aware of, as ap- peared afterwards. One of the passengers came weeping, and said, our case was very bad. The doctor also came in the same manner ; and cried. Oh ! Mr Chalkley we are all dead men ! Then I thought with myself, I would go out on deck, and see what the matter was ; and when on deck, I went to the pilot, who had the lead in his hand, and he sounded, and cried out. Lord have mercy upon us ! she is gone, she is gone, she is gone! by V hich I perceived that we were very near the Goodv\^in S.nds, on which many ships have been lost with all their crews. In this sense of danger I sent for the passengers into the cabin, and told them that I thought it would be well for us to sit still together, and look unto, and wait upon God, to see what he would !>lc ise to do for I's; ihat, if death came, we might meet him in as good a frame of THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. E9 mind as we could, and that we might not be surprised be;, orid measure ; and as we were thus composed in our minds, a concern came upon my dear wife, and she pray- ed to God, the Father, in the living power and sense ot his Son ; and he heard from his holy habitation, and an- swered the prayer : for immediately after the wind abat- ed, ar.d our anchors held us. This was a great deliver- ance, which is not to be forgotten. When we saw the longed-for morning, we were very near the sands and the sea ran prodigiously high, and broke upon them might- ily, so that we were forced to leave our cables and an- chors, and make the best of our way to Deal, as well as we could. One of the owners being on shore, and see- ing us in distress, sent off a cable and anchor to us ; and we anchored before Deal with our new cable and anchor, and sent a boat for our other anchors and cables, when it was calm, which brought them to us. Ar.d after we had supplied ourselves with what we wanted, we put ^o sea again, and had fair winds till we got as far as the Western- Islands, where captain Cant, being in company with us, spoke with our captain in the evenmg, and the two captains concluded it would be stormy that night, which happened accordingly. They took in their sails, and we all but our mainsail ; notwithstanding which, the storm was such, that we lost our main-mast, sprung the head of our fore-mast, and broke our cross-jack yard, and thus lay rolling upon the sea for about two weeks : the ship Bristol-merchant coming by in that time, lent us a spare top-mast, of which we made a main-mast, and a top-mast of our top-gallant -mast, and so refitted out as well as we could, and h..d a pretty good pass- age afterwards. We were about eight weeks from the Land's-End to the capes of Virginia ; had meetings twice a week on board, and they helped to stay our minds on our Maker, though our bodies were tossed to and again on the mighty waters. We went on shore at Putuxent river, and went by land to Herring bay, where I, my wife, and fl^mily, tarried that winter ; and I, with my three servants followed my calling. In the spring we 30 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKXRV, transported ourselves, our goods, and servants, from Maryland to Pennsylvania, where we intended to settle, when we came from our native country. At Pniiadei- phia I boui^ht a lot of ground upon the river Deiaware, and there I followed my calling th :t summer ; and in the fall I had an inward call to visit friends in Barbadoes, which I proposed to our monthly meeting, and they cer- tified on my behiilf that they had unity with me in my pro. posal, conversation, and ministry ; so I took ship at Phil- adelphia, about the twentieth of the seventh month, 1701, on board the Abraham, Street, commmder, and was about a month on our voyage ; (Josiah Langdale was with me). We had several good meetings in the ship to our satisfaction ; and were well received, and had many meetings at Barbadoes, which were often very large and open, and some of the people loving and tender. We had several meetings at Bridge-town, Si^eight's- town, the Spring, and the Thickets, and at Pumpkin- hill; and after behig there about six weeks, we went in a sloop to Bermuda, where we found but very few friends, yet had meetings in several places, and at the houses of some people who were not of our profession ; and the longer we tarried, the larger our meetings were ; and many began to be affected and spoke well of us and our devotion, but some were disturbed, and spoke to the governor to break up our meetings ; which at the de- sire of one of the inhabitants we had appointed at his house : upon which he sent orders by one of his colonels to break up our meeting, which troubled divers sober people. After this I met with the governor at the house of one judge Stafford ; and he being a moderate man, we had the following discourse, viz. Gov. How do you like our country ? We are but a little spot in the sea. T. C. I like it well for its moderate climate. If the people were moderate also, it would be well. Gov. Doth it answer your end in coming ? T. C. My end in coming, was to visit the people in christian iove. THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. 31 Gov. Do you think the people will be brought over? T. C. If they are brought to truth and righteousness, it will be well for them. That is the end of our coming. Gov. If you had acquainted me with your design, when you first came, you had done well. It was your duty. T. C. If we had known the governor's will herein, or that thou wouldest have spoken with us, we should have readi- ly answered it : but knowing nothing of it, we could not tell but that it might be taken for rudeness in us, con- sidering our homeiy way and manner of addressing such men. Gov. Then your design in coming here was to preach. Had you no other end ? ' T. C. Yes. As we found a concern upon us to preach, and a desire in the people to hear. Gov. Why do you not tarry with them ? that looks strange. Here the people are aftected with you, and you go away and leave them : upon my word I blame you for that. T. C. We do not direct them to men, but to the Lord Jesus Christ, their teacher, and bishop of their souls. And why should our leaving them look strange to the governor? for it was the practice of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his own practice and command to his followers. And further, the apostles (which word signifies ambassadors or messengers) say, follow us, as we are followers of Christ. And they travelled up and down the world preaching the gospel ; and our great Lord himself had not whereon to lay his head. Gov. The apostles were inspired men : inspired by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel. I suppose you do not pretend to be inspired. T. C. Every true christian ought to pray for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost upon him* The church of England * also prays for it, the receiving; of which is inspiration. Of whifih church the govemor was a member &2 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAtKLEV. Gov. Your reasons being grounded on scripture, you 'are well grounded ; for no man can deny the scriptures. Tj^cu you say } ou are inspired ? T. C. I hope 1 am. I pray for it with great earnest- ness. Gov\ Then it is but ask, and have, you think. T. C. If we ask in faith, without wavering, we shall receive, according to the doctrine of Christ and his apos* tits in the New Testament. Gov. Well, If any have a desire to hear you, you may preach and welcome. After I had this discourse with the governor, it was reported, on the island, that the governor had given us a license to preach, which report was not true, further than the aforesaid discourse, and then we had larger meeti'.'gs than before. We had a meeting at judge Staf- ford's house, and one at a house not far from his. It is observable that this island hath formerly been a very healthy and fruitful place. Red- cedar, or sweet- wood, is all the timber they have in the island, with which they build their houses, make their liousehold goods> build their ships and sloops, and make their fires ; s« that there is continually a fragrant and pleasant smell, which we could smell at sea sometime before we saw the land ; and it is yet a pretty healthy and fruitful isl- and, but not so healthy and fruitful as formerly. In one of the meetings I v/as concerned to let them know, that it was the evil of their ways and doings that had caused the Almighty to withhold from them the fruits of the earth, and to make their island more unhealthy than formerly it was. After meeting, the judge told me I had said truly, for that was the cause ; and if I had spoke more to thiit matter, or on that subject, I had done well. Several were convinced at this time on this island. Soon after an opportunity offered, in a sloop belong- ing to this island, that was bound for Philadelphia, in \\ hich we (being clear) embarked, and on our voyage had indifferent eood weather, only one hard gale of wind, which caused us to hand our jib. A mulatto man named, Stavo, (the master's servant) went out upon the bowsprit THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. S3 iio hand the sail, and there came a sea and waslicd him off; and the vessel ran over him ; and, in all probabilit} , he had certainly been drowned, had he not been a good swimmer; for he swam, as we judged, three quarters of a mile, before he got to the sloop, it not coming into any one's mind to lower the sails, until I sharply or- dered it to be done, which they then did readily ; and the course of the vessel being stopped, he soon got on board, having stripped himself of his clothes in the sea, and brought them in his mouth. I was very thankful for the poor fellow's life, and praised the Lord in the secret of my soul for his preservation. In about two weeks time we arrived at Phikdelphia, and 1 hid great peace in my labours in this visit, in which I Avas from home about five months. The friends of Barbadoes were so well satisfied with this labour of love, that they certified the same by way of certificate, more than is proper for me to mention. But though they thought so well of me, yet I had occasion to thiak very meanly of myself, for I was emptied to exceeding great spiritual poverty at times. After I came home from Barbadoes and Bermuda, I followed my calling, and kept to meetiiigs diligendy ; for I was not easy to be idle, either in my spiritual or temporal callings; and, at times, travelled in the work of the ministry in our own province, in which there are many large meetings of friends, and they increase and multiply from time to time. Since my settling in this province, m hich is now about a year, some hunch'eds of people are come here to settle, and divers meeting-houses are built ; and I do certainly know from above, that this province of Pennsylvania, and city of Phikidtlphia, will flourish both s])iritually and temporally, if the inhabit;.; .its will love, and live, in righteousness, and in the fear of God; otherwise the hand that planted them can soon pluck them up. After some time, I was drawn forth to visit friends in Maryland, Virginia, andNorth-Caroiina, and went with the unity of friends, having their certifi- cate ; according to the good order establish', d among us ; so about the 26th of the 1st month, 1703, I went F '54 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. through Maryland, and visited friends in Virginia and Korth-Curolina, to the river Pamlieo, where no travel- ling, publie friends, that ever I heard of, were before, and we hdd several meetings there on each side of the river. One day going out of our canoe through a marsh, I trod on a rattle-snake, w Inch is accounted one of the most poisonous snakes ; but it only hissed at me, and did no harm. This was one deliverance, among many, which the Loid, by his providence, wrought for me ; and I bless his holy name for all his mercies. In going to, and coming from this |)lace, we lay two nights in the woods, and I thi.k I never slept better in all my life. It Was the eighth hoiu- in the evening, when I laid down on the ground, one night, my saddle being my pillow, at the root of a tree, and it was four o'clock in the morning when they called me. When I awoke, I thought of good Jacob's Iodising he hcd on his way to Padan Aram, when he saw the holy vision of angels, with the ladder, whose top reached to heaven. Very sweet was the love of God to my soul that morning, and the dew of the ever- lasting hills refreshed me ; and I went on my way, prais- ing the Lord, and magnifx ing the God of my salvation. In this journey I met with another remarkable deliver- ance, goiiigover a river eight miles broad, we put our horses, we being eight men and seven horses, into two canoes tied toirether, and our horses stood with their fore feet in one, and their hind feet in the other. It was calm when we set out, but when we were about the mid- dle of the river, the wind rose, and the seas ran high, and split one of our canoes, so that with our hats we were obliged to cast out the water ; and with much difficulty, at last, all of us, with oiu' horses, got safe on shore, through the good pro\idence of God. And on our re- turn through North- Carolina, we had several large meet- ings, and an open time it was ; as also at Nansemond and Chockatuck, and se\'eral other places in Virginia ; and when my service was o\ er in those t^vo provinces, I went back to Maryland, and visited meetings there, and then went home. As near as I can compute it, I rode about a thousand miles in this iournev ; after which I staid at THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CTrALKLEY. 35 . home, following my business, in order to the maintenance of my fumil}', Ijeing blessed with a wife, children, ser- vants, and other things; for which I am truly than:s-i'i.iL While 1 was at home I visired the neighbouring m et- ings, as I found a con ern on nvy mi;;d ; and on the 6th day of the third month, 1704, I laid before our qu:irter!y meeting of ministers and elders, an exercise th:it was upon my mind, to visit our friends' meetings on Long- Island, Rhode- Island, and in New- England, and the places adjacent; from which quarterly meeting I had a good certificate, which I thought it my duty to endeav- om- to live up unto ; and being accompanied by several friends to Burlington and Croswicks, Joseph Glaster behigmy fellow-labourer in the work of the gospel: at the two aforesaid jilaces, we had meetings, and then we travelled to New- York and Long- Island, where we had divers meetings ; as at Flushing, Westbury, Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethpage, Matinicock, and also at West- Chester, on the main ; and from thence we travelled to Rhode- Island yearly meeting, which was large and serviceable to many. From hence Joseph Glaster went towards Bos- ton, the inland wa}-, and I went by the sea side ; and we met together, after I had been at meetings in divers places, viz. Dartmouth and Nantucket-Island, at which island there are large meetings, people there being most- 1}' friends, and a sober growing people in the best things ; though not of our society when they first received the truth, yet they received it with gladness ; and although divers of the people called Presbyterians were very cruel in their expressions, and bitter in their spirits against us, yet there were some who went under that name, who were more open and charitable towards us, and received us gladly with tenderness ; and at some places we had meetings at their bouses to our mutual satisfaction. We likewise had meetings at Suckanuset, Scituate, and Sand- wich. About this time the Indians were very barbarous in the destruction of the English inhabitants, scalping some, and knocking out the brains of others, men, wom- en, and children, by which the country was greatly alarm- ed, both night and day; but tlie Great Lord of all was 36 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY* pleased wonderfully to preserve our friends, especially thoht \\ho kept fcithlul to their peaceable prir.ciple, ac- cording to the doctrine of Christ in the hoh scriptures, as recorded in his excellent sermon which he preached on the Mount, in the 5fh, 6th, and 7th chapters of Ma- thew, which is quite oj:)posite to killing, revenge, and destruction, even of our enemies : and because our fritiids could not join with those of fightiiig principles and practices, some of them were put into prison ; divers people railing, and speaking very bitterly against their peaceable neighbours, ar.d wishing the quakcrs might be cut ufF. Some of the New- England priests and professors were so bitter against friends, tha! instead of being humbled, urder the mighty hand of God upon them, in suffering the Indians to destroy them, they expressed their enmity against the poor quakers, on a day appointed for humili- ation and a fast ; and particularly in a sermon preached by one of their priests, which he divided into three hetids, viz. First, That the judgments of God were upon them, in ietiirig loose the savage Indians to destroy them. Secondly, In that he withheld the fruits of the earth from thtm (for there was great scarcity). Thirdly, That the quakers prevailed, and were suffered to increase so much among them ; >vhich he said, was worse than the Indians destroying of them, and gave this absurd reason for it ; the Indians destroy our bodies, but the quakers destroy the soui^." This is an abominable falsehood; for it is sin that destroys the soul : and such as those that preach to the people that there is no freedom from it in this M'orld, contradict Christ's doctrine, " Be ye per- fect," &c. And that of the apostles, " He that is born of God cannot sin." And thus their blind guides mis- tr^ke light for darkness, and darkness for light. Amonp- the many hundreds that were s-lain, I heard but of three of our friends being killed, whose destruction was very re- * This priest was soon after killed by the Indians, as I was told by a min- ister. THK JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. 37" marlcable, as I was informed (the one was a woman, the otiier two were men). The men used to go to their la- bt>\ir without any weapons, and trusted to the Almig-hty, aiic' depended on his providence to protect them (it be- in,c: their principle not to use weapons of war, to offend others, or defend themsehxh) but a spirit of distrust tak- ing place in their minds, they took weapons of war to de- fend themselves ; and the Indians, who had seen thvOi several times without them, and let them alone, saying, *' They were peaceable men, and hurt nobody, there- foTc they would not hurt them ;" now seeing them have guns, and supposing they designed to kill the Indians, they therefore shot the men dead. The woman had re- mciiied in her habitation, and could not be free to go to a foj'ified place for preservation, neither she, her son, nor d-.ughter, nor to take thither the little ones; but tlx jjoor woman after some time began to let in a slavish ferir, and did advise her children to go with her to a iort not far from their dwelling. Her daughter i )eing one that trusted in ihe name of tlie Lord, the mighty tower to which the lighttousfiee and find safety, could not con- sent to go with her ; and havmg left a parti ;^u-ar accoinit hi v letter to her children of her and their preservation, I think it worthy to be inserted here in her own words. When the cruel Indians were suffered to kill and destroy, it was shewn me, that I must stand in a testi- mom for truth, and trust in the name of the Lord, that was a strong tower, and we should wait uj)on him. And I often desired my mother and husband to sit down, and wait upon the Lord, and he would shew us what we should do : but I could not prevail with him, but he would say it was too late now, and was in great haste to be eone ; but I could not go with him, because I was afraid of offending the Lord : but still he would say I was deluded by the devil, so that my mother would oft- en say, " a house divided could not stand ;" and she could not tell what to do, although she had most peace in staying, yet she had thoughts of moving, and said to 38 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAl.KLF.Y. me, " C)\i]d, canst thou certainly say it is revealed to thee that we should stay; if it be, I would willini^ly siu}, if I was sure it was the mind of God." But I beihg young-, was afraid to speak so high, said, mother, I can say that it is so with me, that when I think of staying and trust- ing in the name of the Lord, I find great peace and com- fort, more than I can utter, with a belief that we shall be preserved ; but when I think of going, Oil ! the trou- ble and heaviness I feel, with a fear some of us should fall by them ! And my dear mother sighed and said, *' She could not tell what to do." But I said to them, if tliey wouid go, I would be willing to stay alone ; if they found freedom, I was very willing, for I was afraid of offendiug the Lord. But still my poor husband would say, " I took a wrong spirit for the right." And he would say how I should know, " For if 1 was right, I would be willing to <"ondescend to him." And then I said, in condescension to him I would move ; but I hoped the Lord would not lay it to my charge, for was it not to condescend to him, I would not move for the world, and after 1 had given away my strength, in a lit- tle time there came men from the garrison, with their guns, and told us, " They came for us," and told us, *' The Indians they thought, might be near;" and then away we u ent, and my mother went in ^vith my brother- in-law, although I persuaded her not to do it. But she said, " Why, my child is there ; and may not I be with her as well as thee ?" And so we went along to Hamp* ton, to my husband's brother's. But, Oh ! the fear and trouble that I felt ! and told my husband it seemed as if we were going into the mouihs of the Indians. And the next day was the first day of the week ; and our dear friend, Lydia Norton, came with my dear mother ; and in her testimony, she said there was there that Avas very near to her life, that was very near to death. Oh ! then I was ready to think it would be me, because I believed we had done amiss in moving, and great trouble was I in, and told dear Lydia of it ; but she comforted me as much as she could, and said, " She did not think it would be me." And my dear mother went to my sister's again, to qPHE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. 3!^ the garrison, where she found herself not easy ; but, as she often said to many, that she feh herself in a becloud- ed condition, and more shut from counsel than ever she had been since she knew the truth ; and being uneasy, went to move to a friend's house that lived in the neigh- bourhood ; and as she was moving, the bloody cruel In- dians lay by the way, and killed her. Oh ! then how did I lament moving ; and promised if the Lord would be pleased to spare my life, and husband, and children, and carry us home again, I would never do so more. But, Oh ! the fear, and trouble, and darkness, ihat fell upon me, and many more at that time ! and three or four of us kept our meeting : but although we sat and Avaited as well as we could, yet we sat under a poor beclouded condi- tion, till we returned home again, then did the Lord please to lift up the light of his love upon our poor souls. Oh ! then I told my husband, although he had built a lit- tle house by the garrison, I could not move again. So he was willing to stay while the winter season lasted, but told me he could not stay when summer came, for then the Indians would be about; and so told me, that if I could not go to the garrison, I might go to a friend's house that was near it. And I was willing to please him, if the Lord w^as willing ; and then applied my heart to know the mind of truth, and it was shewed me, that if I moved again, I should lose the sense of truth, and should never hold up my head again. Oh! then I told my hus- band, he must never ask me to move again, for I durst not do it. Still he would say it was a notion, till our dear friend Thomas Story came, and told him, " That he did not see that I could have a greater revelation than I had." And satisfied my husband so well, that he never asked me more to go, but was very well contented to stay all the wars ; and then things were made more easy, and we saw abundance of the wonderful works, and of the mighty power of the Lord, in keeping and preserving of us, when the Indians were at our doors and windows, and other times ; and how the Lord put courage in you, my dear children, do not you forget it, and do not think ^t you were young, and because you knew little^ so you 40 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. feared nothing, but often eonsider how you striid at home alone, when we went to meetings, and how the Lo.d preserved you, and kept you, so that no hurt came upon you • :md I leave this charge upon yo\i, live in the fear of the Lord, and see you set him always before your e} es, lest you sin against him : for if I had not feared the Lord, and felt ihe ccmiforts of his holy spirit, I couid never have stood so great a trial, ^vhen so many judged, and said I was deluded, and that all the blood of mv hus- band -Hid children, would be required at my hands ; but the Lord was near to me, and gave me strength and courage, and faith to trust in him, for I know his name to be a strong tower, yea, and stronger than any in the world; for I have oftentimes fled there for safety. Oii ! blessing, and honour, and everlasting high praises, be given to the Lord, and to his dear Son, our Saviour and mediator, Christ Jesus. Amen. MARY DOE. A neighbour of the aforesaid people told me, that as he was at work in his field, the Indians saw, and called him, and he went to them. They told him, that they had no quarrel with the quakers, for they were a quiet, peaceable people, and hurt no body, and that therefore none should hurt them. But they said, that the presbyterians in these parts had taken away their lands, and some of their lives, and would now, if they could, destroy all the Indians. Those Indians began about this time to shoot people down as they rode along the road, and to knock them in tlie head in their beds, and very barbarously murdered many : but we travelled the country, and had large meet- ings, and the good presence of God was with us abun- diintly, and we had great 'nward joy in the Holy Ghost in our outw^ard jeopardy and travels. The people gen- erally rode and went to their worship armed, but friends went to their meetings without either sword or gun, hav- ing their trust and confidence in God. After havincT had ciiv( rs |2:ood mt eiirgs in those east- ern parts oi New-Lugiand, I returned to Salem, Lynn, THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 41 Boston, and so on towards Rhode- Island, and? at divers adjacent places ; as in the Narraganset country, we had divers meetings ; also, at Dartmouth, Sandwich, and Scituate. As I was entering into the town of Boston, in company with many others, a man rode up to me, and asked in a scoffing manner, " Whether I saw or met with any quakers on the road ?" I pleasantly told him, we should not tell the presbyterians, lest they should hang them. He not thinking of such an answer, went sneak- ingly away. Now having thoroughly visited friends in those part;^ in company with my friend Thomas Story, I travellea through Connecticut government, and had several meet- ings in that colony; and came to Long. Island, where^ we had divers meetings to the satisfaction of ourselves and friends. From Long- Island, after we were clear of the service and exercise of the work of the ministry, and had visited friends' meetings as we travelled, and in di- vers places found openness among the people, who were not of our profession (who sometimes came in great num- bers to our meetings, and several were convinced in a good degree, and man}'- comforted, strengthened, and edified, in Christ our Lord), we came to Philadelphia, the place of our habitation. Let his name, saith my soul, have the praise of all his works for ever. After being at home some time, I visited friends' meet- ings in our county, and several parts of New-Jersey,. Maryland, and the Lower Counties on Delaware. At Jones' I appointed a meeting at a public-house near the court-house, general notice being given thereof, there eame one Crawford, a priest, with many of hisr hearers, and in the beginning of the meeting he read a sermon, as they called it, which was a transcript of the works of some of our adversaries, which we desired to have from them to answer. They said, " If I would answer it myself I should have it." The which I toid them I should, if they would let me ; but though they promised it, they did not perform, but were worse than their word. We heard them read it over patiently; and after they had done, we had our meeting. The auditorj' 6 42 TH£ JOURVA.L OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. was large, and most of tlie magistrates were at it. Tlic priest's reading, and my testimony, occasioned this meet- ing to hold long ; after Avhich, as we were getting ou horseback, the priest cried out among the people, " That he did not think we would go a^\ ay so sneaking- ly." We having twenty miles to ride that night, and he near his home, he having the advantage in that respect, some thought it made him the bolder, for he let me get on horseback before he uttered that sneaking expression. I told him to challenge was enough to set a coward to work, and we were no cowards ; for he knew we could venture our lives for our religion, which I questioned whether he would do for his ; so I dismounted, and he having the bible open in his hand, I being near him, chanced, against my will and knowledge, to touch it with my foot. " Look you, gentlemen," soys he, " he tramples the word of God under his feet." For which gross abuse, his own hearers openly rebuked him, and put him to shame. Then he said, " He w^ould prove us no ministers of Christ." I bid him prove himself one, and he would do the business. " Well," says he, " how shall we know who are Christ's ministers ?" Why, said I, in answer to him, art thou willing to be tried by Christ's rule, for he hath given us a plain rule to know them b}'. " What is that rule ? let us hear it," says he. It is short, but full, namely. By their fruits you shall know them : for men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of this- tles : wherefore by their fruits they are known. " I de- ny it," says priest Crawford, (for that was the name he went by here, he going by another elsewhere), *' that they are known by their fruits.'' I answered, then tliou deniest the plain and naked truth of Christ. So I called aloud to the people to take notice what a blind guide they had ; and indeed he was wicked, as well as blind, and his fruits not good; which may make one suppose, that he was not \\'illing to be tried by his fruits : for soon after news came that he had a wife in England, and as he had another here, his fruits were wicked with a witness ; and according to Christ's doctrine, no good could spring from his ministry, therefore he proved himself by his evil THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 43 deeds, to be no minister of Jesus Christ. Near the aforesaid place we got a meeting settled, which is called Little-creek meeting ; and about the same time a meeting was established, and a meeting-house built at Duck- creek. The people in those parts about this time began mightily to see through the formal preaching of such as preach for money or hire, who love the hire, though they do not love to be called hirelings. In the year 1706, having some concerns in the prov- ince of Maryland, I had divers meetings as I travelled on the road, as at Nottingham, Elk-river, North-east, Susquehannah, Bush and Gun- powder rivers ; at some of which places I do not know that there had been any meetings before. At one of these meetings were one Edwards a priest, and a lawyer, the attorney- general, and several of the justices of the peace. The priest was angry, and said, " It was an unlawful assembly, the house not being licensed by law." The justices told him, *' That he and his people being there to hear, if any un- warrantable or false doctrine was preached, he had a fair opportunity to lay it open before all the* people." So they desired him to hear patiently and quietly. He seem- ed to like the proposition, and sat down by me. We had not sat down long before I stood up, and spoke to the people some considerable time ; and the lawyer sat op- posite to me, and took what I said in short hand, for about half an hour ; but growing weary, he laid down his pen, and took out of his pocket a bottle of liquor, or spirits, and said, " Come friend, here is to thee (or you) you have spoke a great while, you need something to re- fresh you." So I made a stop, and said to the people, here is your minister, and here is some of the fruits of his ministry, of which he and all sober people may be ashamed. And then I went on again without any op- position till I had done , but afterwards they w^ere in a rage, and threatened what they would do to me, if ever I came to have a meeting any more there. But I told them if they had. power to take our lives from us, they were not dear to us for the sake of Christ and his gospel; and that we did not matter their threatenings. I desired 44 THE JOURNAL &¥ THOMAS (JHALKLEY. the lawyer to give me a copy of what he had written ; he went about it, but did not do it; neither was he candid in penning my words ; for several of the people then pre- sent did bear witness he had not wrote it verbatim, nor truly taken the sense of what I spoke, wherefore I charged him to be just, otherwise he had many witnesses against him ; at which the priest bent his fist, and held it up to me, but did not strike me, and away they went in a fret. Soon after we had another meeting at the same place, which was large and quiet. The man of the house be- ing an attorney at law, had got his house licensed, and though die priest and lawyer threatened hard, they came not. Aquila Paca, high-sheriff of the county, living at thfe head of Bush-river, near the main road, built a meeting- house, at his own charge, and had it licensed, at which we had many good meetings. About this time also was built a meeting-house at a place called Nottingham, which is a large meeting, and greatly increases. When I was travelling in those parts, I had a concern on my mind to visit the Indians living near Susquehan- nah, at Conestogoe, and I laid it before the elders of Nottingham meeting, with which they expressed their unity, and promoted my visiting them. We got an in- terpreter, and thirteen or fourteen of us travelled through the woods about fifty miles, carrying our provisions with us, and on the journey sat down by a river, and spread our food on the grass, and refreshed ourselves and horses, and then went on cheerfullv, and with good will, and much love to the poor Indians ; and when we came, they received us kindly, treating us civilly in their way. We treated about having a meeting with them in a relig- ious way, upon which they called a council, in which they were very grave, and sjioke one after another, with- out any heat or jarring ; (and some of the most esteem* ed of their women do sometimes speak in their councils). I asked our interpreter, why they suffered or permitted tlie women to speak in their councils ? his answer was, " That some women are wiser than some men." Our interpreter told me, that they had not done any thing for THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 45 many years, without the counsel of an ancient grave wo- man ; who, I observed, spoke much in their council ; for I was permitted to be present at it ; and I asked, what it was the woman said ? he told me she was an empress ; and they gave much heed to what she said amongst them; and that she then said to them, *' She looked upon our coming to be more than natural, because we did not come to buy, or sell, or get gain, but came in love and respect to them," and desired their well-doing both here and hereafter ; and further continued, " That our meetings among them might be very beneficial to their young- people," and related a dream which she had three days before, and interpreted it, viz. " That she was in Lon- don, and that London was the finest place she ever saw, it was like to Philadelphia, but much bigger, and she went across six streets, and in the seventh she saw Will- iam Penn preaching to the people, which was a great multitude, and both she and William Penn rejoiced to see one another ; and after meeting she went to him, and he told her, that in a little time he would come over and preach to them also, of which she was very glad. And now she said her dream was fulfilled, for one of his friends was come to preach to them." And she advised them to hear us, and entertain us kindly ; and according- ly they did. Here were two nations of them, the Senecas and Shawanese, W^e had first a meeting with the Sene- cas, with which they were much affected ; and they call- ed the other nation (viz. the Shawanese.) and interpreted to them what we spoke in their meeting, and the poor In- dians (particularly some of the young men and women) were under a solid exercise and concern. We had also a meeting with the other nation, and they were all very kind to us, and desired more such opportunities ; the which, I hope Divine Providence will order them, if they are worthy thereof. The gospel of Jesus Christ, was preached freely to them, and faith in Christ, who was put to death at Jerusalem, by the Hnbelieving Jews ; and that this same Jesus came to save people from their sins, and by his grace and light in the soul, shews to man his «ins, and convinceth him thereof, delivering him out oT 4^ THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CMALKLEY. them, and gives inward peace and comfort to the soul for well-doing, and sorrow, and trouble for evil-doing ; to all which, as their manner is, they gave public assents; and to that of the light in the soul, they gave a double assent, and seemed much affected with the doctrine of truth ; also the benefit of the holy scriptures was largely ojDened to them"*. After this we returned to our respective habitations, thankful in our hearts to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Several of the friends that went with me, expressed their satisfaction in this visit, and offered them- selves freely to go again on the like service. I aho was concerned soon after to visit the people about Egg-harbour and Cape-may, and had divers meet- ings amongst them, and several meetings were settled in those parts, and the people somewhat reformed from what ihey had been before they were visited by friends, as themselves told me, after a meeting which we had with them, that they used to spend the sabbath days in sport- ing and vanity until friends came among them, and now they meet together to worship God, and his Son Jesus Christ. At our coming amongst them, some backsliders nnd apostates were displeased. One, in a very bitter spirit, called Its, cursed and cruel devils. Another wrote against us. To him I sent an answer, for which he scandalized ine in one of his almanacks, and publickly belied me in jiriiit ; which lies I swept away with " A Small Broom,' printed in this year 1706, to which I never understood that he returned any answer, nor that he wrote against friends afterwards, though he had made it his practice before for several years. At Little Egg-harbour lived a friend whose name was ]£dvvard Andrews, who, as himself told me, had been a leader of the people into vanity and folly, as music, danc- * 11 h \vortliy ofnoticc, that at tlic first settling of Pennsylvania, William l*enn took great care to do justice to the Indians, and boug-lit his land of them to their satisfaction, and settled a trade with them ; so that whereas the Indi- :uis were destructive to the other colonies, they were helpful to Pennsylvania; t\}n\ to llvis day they love to hear the name of William Penm THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS GHALKLEY. 47 jng, he. but the good hand of the Lord being upon him, wrought a wonderful reformation in him, and made him an instrument to lead people into truth and righteousness, and gave him an excellent gift of the ministry of the gos- pel of Christ ; so that he was made instrumental in the gathering of a large and growing meeting, most of the people thereabouts being convinced, and a great reform- ation and change wrought in their conversations. This friend told mc, that when he was very rude and wild, he was mightily reached unto, at the meeting we had under the trees at Crosswicks*, so that he could not go on with his vanit}^ as before, after which he had strong convic- tions on him, which wrought conversion in thg Lord's time, after he had gone through many and deep inward exercises. After these several journies Avere over, and I had cleared myself, I was some time at home, and followed my business with diligence and industry, and throve in the things of the world, the Lord adding a blessing to my labour. Some people would tell me that I got money for preaching, and grew rich by it ; which, being a com- mon calumny cast upon our public friends that are trav- ellers, I shall take a little notice of it, and leave it to pos. terity. That it is against our principle, and contrary to our known practice and rule to take money for our preaching the gospel of Christ, and the publishing of salvation through his name unto the people; for accord- ing to Christ's command, we, receiving it freely, are to give it forth freely : and I can say, without vanity or boasting, I have spent many pounds in that service, be- sides my time, which was, and is, as precious to me, as to other people : and rising early, and laying dow n late j many days riding forty, fifty, and sixty miles a day, which was very laborious and hard for my flesh to endure, be- ing corpulent and heavy from the twenty- seventh year of my age) ; and I can truly say, that I never received any money or consideration on account of tiiese services,. See page 15. 48 THE JOURNAt OF THOMAS CHALKLET. either directly or indirectly ; and yet, if any of our min- isters are necessitous or poor, we relieve them freely, not because. they are preachers, but because they are needy ; and when we have done those things, we have done but our duty : and well will it be for those that have discharged themselves faithfully therein ! Such will, besides the earnest of peace in their own souls in this world, have a blessed reward in the glorious kingdom of the Lord and his Christ in that world which is to come. It is well known that I have spent much of my time, since I have been free from my apprenticeship, in travel- ling and preaching the gospel, being out often many months, and sometimes a whole year, and more ; and at intervals I have been apt to think the time long, till I got to my business and family ; and so have divers times made more haste than I should have done, which has brought trouble on my mind, and is a trouble to me unto this day ; which may be a caution to those who travel in the work of the ministry hereafter, not to make too much haste from the work of Christ ; and yet there ought to be discretion used ; for a minister may stay too long, as well as return too soon, which may be per- ceived as we keep the eye of our mind to our Divine guide. After I had staid at and about home for some con- siderable time, a weighty concern came upon me to visit friends in the West-Indies, and some parts of Europe, as it might please the Almighty to open my way ; and as it was to be a long travel, both by sea and land, and hazard- ous, by reason it was war time, and many privateers out at sea, I settled my affairs by will, and otherwise, that if I should not live to come home again, things relating to my outward affairs might be done honourably and well : for at this time, as at many others, I can truly say I gave up my life freely for my Holy Master's sake, and in his cause, who said. Go teach all nations, &c. On the 29th of the sixth month, 1707, I had a certifi- cate from the monthly-meeting of friends at Philadelphia, signifying their unity with my undertaking, and desires ibr my welfare ; and a tender concern was on my mind THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 49 that I might live according to what my brethren had cer- tified concerning me. I likewise laid my exercise before the general meeting of ministers and elders, held for the provinces of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, on the 22d of the seventh month, who also signified their fellowship with my intended travels and journey, and recommended me to the grace of God, and in much love and tenderness I parted with my dear and loving wife, and my near and affectionate friends and brethren. I had for my companion and fellow-labourer in the work of the gospel, my dear friend, Richard Gove, who also had the approbation and unity of friends in this jour- ney and undertaking. We went on board a sloop at Philadelphia, bound for Barbadoes, John Knight, master, abouf. the 27th of tlie eighth month, in the aforesaid year. After a few days sailing down the river Delaware, we put to sea, and in about a month's time we came within sight of Barbadoes, where we met with a privateer, which chased, and had like to have taken us ; but the good providence of God preserved us out of the hands of those enemies ; for ever blessed be his name ! in this chase the seamen were uneasy, and belched out wicked oaths, and cursed the quakers, wishing all their vessels might be taken by the enemy, because they did not car- ry guns in them : at which [evil] I was grieved, and be- gan thus to expostulate with them : do you know the worth of a lAan's life ? (guns being made on purpose to destroy men's lives). Were this ship and cargo mine, so far as I know mine heart, I do ingenuously declare, I had rather lose it all, than that one of you should lose his life : for I certainly knew they were unfit to die. Lives ! say they, we had rather lose our lives than go to France. But, said I, that is not the matter ; had you rather go to hell, than go to France ? they being guilty of great sins and wickedness, and convicted in their own consciences, held their peace, and siud no more about the poor qua- kers ; and when we got within gun shot of a fort on Bar- badoes, the enemy left chasing us. 50 THE JOURNAL OF TKOMAS CttALKLEYh Next morning early we safely arrived at Bridgetowo, m Barbadoes, where our friends gladly received us ; amongst whom we laboured in the work of the gospel for about two months ; and from thence, after having had divers good and edifying meetings, for the wor- ship of God, we sailed for Antigua, and stayed some days there, having meetings, and visiting our brethren. From Antigua we sailed for Nevis, but the wind being contrary, we put in at Montserrat, an isle that hath a great mountain in it, on the top of Avhich is a hot spring of water, which boils up, and the mire of it is clear brim- stone ; some of which we carried on board our vessel ; the which is admirable, and shews the wonderful works of God. They say that the spring is hot enough to boil an egg. From this island we sailed to Nevis, and had meetings with those few friends that were there, with whom we parted at the sea shore in great love and ten- derness: after which we sailed to an island called Anguil- la, and were civilly treated there by the generality of the people ; as also by the governor, George Leonard, at whose house we had meetings. I remember that after one meeting the governor went into his porch, and took the bible, and opened it, and said, " By this book, if people believe the holy scriptures, I am able to convince the world, and prove, that the people called quakers, are the people of God, and that they follow the example and doctrine of Christ, and the practices of, the apostles and primitive christians, nearer than any people in the world ;'* (i. e. generally speaking). At this island several people were heartily convinced, and did confess to the truth, among whom a meeting was settled. Here was never any friend before, as the inhabitants said. I intreat the Lord Jehovah to preserve the sincere hearted among them in his holy fear whilst they remain in this world ; and not them only, but all that love and fear him, ia all kindreds and nations, and amongst people of all pro- fessions whatsoever. This, in the universal spirit of God's divine love, is the desire of my soul. Back from Anguilla we went to Nevis, and from Nevis to Antigua ; and iiotwitlistanding our sloop was a dull sailer, yet we* TKE JOURNAL GF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 51 were preserved from the enemy, to the admiration of our- selves, friends, and others, our course being in the very road of the privateers. Just as we got into the harbour and were landed, a privateer came by with a prize along with her, as we supposed, which excited our thankfulness to the Lord for our preservation. Here we met with the packet-boat bound for Jamaica, and thence for England, We staid a little at the island called St. Christopher's. In our way to Jamaica we saw a small privateer, that gave us chase, and it being calm, she rowed up towards us. The master prepared the vessel to fight, hoisting up his mainsail, and putting out our colours. In the interim some Avere bold and some sorrowful. One came to me, asked, " What I thought of it ? and what I thought of the quakers principles now ?'' I told him I thought I was as willing to go to heaven, as himself was ; to ^vhich he said nothing, but turned away from me. Another asked ine, " What I would do now?" I told him, I would pray that they might be made better, and that they might be made fit to die. Then in the midst of their noise and hurry, in secret I begged of the Almighty, in the name, and for the sake of his dear Son, that he would be pleased to cause a fresh gale of wind to spring up, that we might be delivered from the enemy without shedding blood, well knowing that few of them were fit to die, and even whilst I was thus concerned, the Lord answered my de- sire and prayer, for in a few minutes the wind sprung up, and we soon left them out of sight, our vessel sailing ex- traordinary well, and the next day we got to Jamaica, and had divers meetings, viz. at Port-royal, Kingston, Span- ish-town, &c. At a meeting at Spanish-town, there were divers Jews, to whom my heart was very open, and I felt great love to them, for the sake of their fathers Abra- ham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they were so affected with the meeting, that they sent us some unleavened cakes, made with fine flour and sweet oil, it being a festival time with them. We had a meeting at Port-royal, in a place where the earthquake had destroyed a large building, in which meeting I had occasion to remind them of the righteous judgments of God, which had been justly inflicted on- 52 IHE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. them for their sins and wickedness. Some wept, and some were rude. The people here, as I was informed, were generally very wicked. After having had divers meetings, the packet in which we had taken our passage, being obliged to stay but ten days, we went off sooner than we otherwise should have done, and solemnly takmg leave of those friends that were there, we went on board our vessel, in order for England, by God's permission. Wf got readily through the windward passage, which is between the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola ; and divers tiines after wc left Jamaica, we were chased by several sliijjs, but they could not come up with us. One ship of twenty-eight guns gave iis chase after a great storm, ^ and was almost up with us before we could well make sail ; they' being eager of their prey, sent their hands aloft to let their reefs out of the topsails, in order to make more speed, and came running mightily towards us, and gain- ed much upon us; we fearing to make sail by reason of the storm, and the sea running very high, and our masts being therefore in danger, we were some time in doubt whether wc should escape or not : but whilst we w ere in this consternation, down came the French ship's three topmasts at once, so we escaped, and left her, and went rejoicing on our way, that we were thus delivered. This was one of the great and remarkable deliverances among the many I met with, by the good hand and pro\ idence of the Lord, my great and good master, whom I hope to serve all m}'; days. After having been at sea about six weeks, we be- gan to look out for land, and in tw o or three days we sounded, and found ground at about ninety fath- oms ; after which we saw two French privateers, that gave us chase about four o'clock in the morning, and pursued us A'igorously ; but sailing better than they, we run them out of sight by eight o'clock the same morning, and in about two hours after we saw the land of Ireland ; it being misty weather, \v ith rain and wind, our master thought it best to lay by and forbear sailing, that coast being rocky and dangerous, by which means the two ships that gave us chase came up w ith us, and found THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 33 US not in sailing order, and were within gun-shot of us be- fore we Avere a^\ are of it. What to do now we could not tell, until they began to fire at us ; but in this emer- gency and strait, our master resolved he would rather run the vessel on shore than they should have her, she be- ing richly laden with indigo, silver, and gold, reckoned to the value of fifty thousand pounds. In this strait, we must either fall into the hands of the French, who were our enemies, or run among the rocks ; and we thought it best to fall into the hands of the Almighty, and trust to his providence ; so towards the rocks we went, which looked Avith a terrible aspect. The native Irish seeing us, they came down in great numbers, and ran on the rocks, and called to us, saying, " That if we came any nearer we should be dashed in pieces." Then our mas- ter ordered the anchor to be let go, which brought her up before she struck ; and with much ado, he put his boat out into the sea, and put in all the passengers, in order to set them on shore, the waves running very high, so that it looked as if every wave would have swallowed us up ; and it was a great favour of Providence that we got to land in safety. The privateers not daring to come so near the shore as we did, after firing at us, went away, and our master carried the ship into the harbour of Kin- sale, in Ireland. Thus through many perils and dangers we were preserved, and got safe on the Irish shore, for which, and all other the mercies and favours of the Most High, my soul and spirit did give God glory and praise ! in this voyage we were about seven weeks at sea. When I came from my home at Philadelphia, I did intend (the Lord permitting) to visit friends in Ireland, and being accidentally cast on shore there, I thought it my place first to go through that nation. I had been in Ireland about nine years before, and then being but young, and now being more grown in body, my old ac- quaintance and friends did not at first know me ; but we were kindly and lovingly received by our friends and brethren in that nation, where there is a great and nu- merous people, that serve and worship the Father in spirit and in truth, and who have divers good and 54 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY, wholesome orders established amongst them, in the uni- ty and fellowship of the gospel. In this nation we had many and large meetings after our landing, visiting friends' meetings along to the north, many, not of our society : coming to them, among \vhom we often had good ser- vice, to our and their satisfaction, as they often declared, Richard Gove being still with me. Friends from their national meeting, certified to our brethren in America, of our service and labour of love among them, after we had tra^ elled several hundred miles, and visited friends' meet- ings generally, and some other places wliere it was not Vsual. While I was in Ireland, under a concern for the prosperity of truth and religion, I wrote an exhortation to the youth, and others, which was afterwards printed there. We took ship in the North of Ireland, at a town call- ed Donaghadee, being accompanied with divers brethren, who brought us on our way after a godly sort. We got to Port-Patrick, in Scotland, after about five hours sail, in order to visit those few friends that were scattered about in that part of the nation. People in those parts looked very shy on us, and did not care to discourse with us on matters civil or religious, which I thought unrea- sonable. The first town or city we came to, in which we had a meeting, was Glasgow, (accounted the second city in North-Britain) where, in our meeting for the wor- ship of the Almighty, we were shamefully treated by the people, who threw dirt, stones, coal, &c. amongst us, and by divers other actions unbecoming men, though heathens or infidels, much more people professing Chris- tianity ; so that I was constrained to tell them, that though I had preached the gospel to many heathens, and to di- vers Jews, as also to Indians and Negroes, and had trav- elled in many countries and nations in the world, in sev- eral quarters thereof, and many thousands of miles, yet I must needs say, that I never met with the like incivili- ties, and such scurrilous treatment, no not in all my trav- els. I also told them, that I had preached the gospel of Christ among their brethren in New- England, and in Boston, where they formerly hanged the quakers, and THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHAtKlEY. 55 cruelly persecuted them for their religion, and yet they did not treat us so brutishly even there. And further I told them, that I lived in those parts of America, and what account I should have to carry home to their aforesaid brethren, of our treatment in Glasgow, the second city m Scotland. I desired them to consider of it, and be ashamed, if they had any shame. This a little abashed them for the present, but afterwards they were as bad as ever. There were at this meeting divers collegians, who were very rude. I asked if that was their way of treat- ins: stranarers ? and that I believed their teachers in the university did not allow of such ill manners, by which they scandalized themselves, their city and country. From this city we went to Hamilton and Gershore, where they were more civil. At Gershore a man of letters, and sober conversation, begged that I would pray to the Al- mighty, that he would establish him in the doctrine which he had heard that day. This being rare in those parts, therefore I thus minute it here. We went on towards the north of Scotland, to Aberdeen, and thereabouts, where there is a tender hearted people, among whom we had several large gatherings, and some that were not of us, expressed their satisfaction. In the north I met with a gentleman, who coming from a nobleman's house, join- ed me, and asked me, *' If I knew Robert Barclay ?'* I said not personally, but by his writings I knew him well. He told me, " That he (Barclay) had not left his fellow in Scotland," We afterwards travelled southward, where there were but few friends, and small meetings ; yet we may say, that the goodness, love, and presence of him, who said, where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them, was oftentimes witnessed to be with us, blessed be his holy name. Oh ! that the children of men would praise him in thought, word, and deed, for he is worthy. So in great reverence and holy fear, we travelled along towards South-Britain, had sev-^ eral meetings at Edinburgh, and divers other places ; al- so at Berwick upon Tweed, where there were many sol- diers, who were very rude. The devil hath had many battles with usj eyer skiQes we were a people, in order to o6 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. hinder US in our worship, but we generally came off with victory, as we did here also, through faith in his name, who hath loved us, and manifested himself to us. Those rude soldiers thro wed their hats into the congregation, in order to disturb us, and hinder us in our service, but were at last ashamed and disappointed. At this place my dear friend and fellow-traveller, Richard Gove, and I parted ; I was for going by the east sea coast up to London, and he inclined towards Cumber- land, after we had travelled about a year in the work of the ministry, in great love and true friendship, in which work we were true helpers one of another ; and as wc had laboured together in the work of Christ, so we part- ed in his love. Now from Berwick I travelled along to Newcastle ; had one meeting by the Avay, and several good meetings at Newcastle, Sunderland, Shoten, and Durham, and several other places in the bishoprick of Durham. The winter coming on apace, it began to be bad travelling; and I being already much spent by it, designed to go speedily up to London ; and taking some meetings in my way, as at Stockton, Whitby, Scar- borogh, Burlington, Hull, and Brigg, and so on through Lincolnshire, where I went to visit a friend that was pris- oner in the castle of Lincoln, because for conscience sake he could not pay an ungodly priest the tythes of his la- bour. From Lincoln I proceeded to Huntingdon, about which place we had several large meetings, so on to Bal- dock, where I met with my father and John Gopsil, who came from London to meet me, which was a joyful meet- ing, for I had not seen my father for about nine years. The love and tenderness between us, and the gladness in seeing each other again, cannot well be expressed, but I believe it was somewhat like Jacob and Joseph's meeting in Egypt ; it was affecting and melting ; blessed be the Almighty that gave me once more to see my tender and aged parent ! So from Baldock we went to Hitching, and had a meeting there, as also at Hertford, from whence, with several friends, I went to Enfield, where I met with my dear and only brother George, and there were with us several of rny relations, and divers others of our THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. ^7 friends : we were heartily glad to see one another. From Enfield we went forward to London, and by the way we met with several friendsof the meeting of Horsleydown, to which I did belong from my childhood, who came to meet me, and accompanied us to London. I stayed in and about the city most of the winter, visit- ing meetings when I was well and in health ; for through often changing the climates, I got a severe cold, and was ill for several weeks, so that I was not at any meeting, which time was very tedious to me ; not so much be- cause of my illness, as that I was deprived of divers op- portunities and meetings, which are in that city every day of the week except the last. When I was a little got over this illness, I went into Hertfordshire, and some parts adjacent, and had meetings at Staines, Langford, Uxbridge, Walford, Hempstead, Bendish, Albans, Mar- ket-Street, Hitching, Hertford, Hodgdon, and then re- turned again to London. After I had been at London a while, I visited several other country meetings, as Winchmore-Hill, Tottenham, Wansworth, Plaistow, Deptford, and Eppiug, and then staid about London some weeks, waiting for a passage for Holland, which I intended to visit before I left my own habitation. And on the 14th of the first month, 1708-9, I, witlj my companion, John Bell, after having acquainted out friends and relations, (having their consent) and taking our solemn leave of them, we went down to Gravesend, and staid there two or three days for a fair wind. We went on board the ship Ann, John Duck, Master, bound" for Rotterdam, in company with a fleet of vessels waiting for wind, &c. When the wind was fair we sailed for the coast of Holland, and when we arrived on that coast tne wind was contrary, and blew very hard, so that some of the ships in company lost their anchors, but in a day or two we all arrived safe at Rotterdam, in Holland : (we were but two days on this passage). On the first day morning we went to meeting at Rotterdam, where friends have a meeting-house ; and v/e stayed at this city seven of eight days, and had six or seven meetings, and were com_r I 59 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. fortcd with our brethren and sisters, and greatly refreshed hi the Lord Almighty. At this city we spoke without an interpreter, because the most in the meeting understood Englisli. From Rotterdam A\e travelled by the Track- scoot, a boat, being drawn by horses, which is a pleas- ant easy way of travelling, to a large town called Harlem, wliere we had a meeting, and speke by an interpreter ; to which meeting came divers of those people called me- nonists : they were very sober and attentive, and stayed all the time of the meeting, and spoke well of it. From Harlem, we went to Amsterdam, the metropolis of Hol- land, where friends have a meeting-house. Here we had several meetings, and stayed about a week. On the iirst day we had a large meeting, to which came many people of divers persuasions and religions, as Jews, papists, and others ; and we had a good opportunity among them, and several were tender. A Jew came iiext day to speak with us, and did acknowledge, " That Christ was the minister of that sanctuary and tabernacle that God had pitched, and not man; and that he was sensible of the ministry of Christ in his soul; and, (said he) my heart was broken while that subject was spoken of in the meeting.'^ I was glad to see the man tender, and reached ; but, too generally speaking, the poor Jews, the seed of good Ja- cob, are very dark and unbelieving. I have met with but very few of them in my travels, that have been tender ; but I do love them for Abraham's, Isaac's, and Jacob's sake. At this meeting, William Sewel, (the author of the history of the rise and progress of the people called quakers), a tender-spirited upright man, interpreted for me. From Amsterdam wc went to North- Holland, and John Claus and Peter Reyard went with us to interpret for us ; so by boat, or scoot, we travelled to a town called Twisk, where we had two meetings, friends having a meeting-house there ; from Twisk we went back again to Amsterdam, and had two large meetings there on the first day, and second day in the evening we went on ship- board, in order to cross the South Sea to Herlingen, at which ]:)lacc we had tw-o meetings, and we and friends were glad to see one another : and, indeed, we being as THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKI.EY. 59 one family all the world over, are generally glad to see each other. From this place we travelled eastward • through East-Friesland, and went through several great towns and cities until we came to EmBden, the chief city in East-Friesland, where we had a comfortable meeting by the bed-side of one of our friends that lay sick ; and several of her neighbours came in and stayed till the meeting ended ; some of them were very tender and loving, and wished us well, and were w ell satisfied. After meeting we set forward for Hamburgh, it being four days journey by waggon, and passed along through divers towns and cities : we also travelled through the city of Oldenburg, and a place of great commerce called Bremen. A magistrate of this city took notice of us, joined himself to us, and went with us to the inn, and then very lovingly took leave of us, and desired God to bless us. The people at our inns were generally very loving and kind to us, and some would admire at my coming so far only to visit my friends, without any views of advantage or profit outwardly. When we got to Ham- burgh we had a meeting at Jacob Hagen's, and those that were there, were well satisfied with the doctrine of truth, blessed be God, who, I may say, was with us at that time and place ! At Hamburgh there was at meeting one who had preached before the king of Denmark ; who, as I understood by our interpreter, was turned out of his place, for preachmg the same truths that we had preached there that day ; at which meeting, were papists, iutherans, calvanists, menonists, Jews, &c. All of them were sober, and generally expressed their satisfaction. I had so much comfort in that meeting, that I thought it was worth my labour in coming from my habitation, the answer of peace was so much to my soul, that I greatly rejoiced in my labour in the work of Christ. From hence I travelled to Frederickstadt, it being two days journey, where friends have a meeting-house. We stayed about ten days, and hatd nine meetings in this city. Some of the meetings were very large, and the longer we stayed, the larger they were. This Freder- ickstadt is a city in the dominions of the duke of Ho], 60 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEV. stein, and was the farthest place we travelled to east- ward ; and from hence I wrote a small piece, called, ** A loving invitation unto young and old in Holland and elsewhere;" which was translated into the German and Low- Dutch languages : and divers impressions of them were also printed in England. We travelled in this journey through some parts of the emperor of Germany's dominions, as also of the kings of Denmark and Swedeland, and of the duke of Olden- burg's, and prince of East-Friesland's territories, besides some parts of the Seven Provinces of the United States. We parted with our friends of this city of Frederickstadt, in much love and tenderness, and with our hearts full of good will, one towards another, and so went back to the city of Embdcn a nearer way, by two days journey, than to go by Hamburgh. We crossed the rivers Eyder, Elfc, and Weiser ; over which last we were rowed by three women. The women in those parts of the world are strong and robust, and used to hard labour. I have seen them do not only the work of men, but of horses; it being common with them to do the most laborious, and the men the lightest and easiest work. I remember that I once saw near Hamburgh, a fair, well dressed woman, who, by her dress, or appearance, was a woman of some note, and a man, whom I took to be her husband, walk- ing by her, and she was very great with child, and the way difficult, being up a very steep hill, and he did not so much as offer his hand, or assistance to her ; which, however it might look to a man of that country, seemed very strange to me, being a Briton. For my part, I thought it unmanly, as well as unmannerly : on which I observe, that I never in any part of the world, saw women so tenderly dealt by as our English, or British women, which they ought to value and prize highly, and therefore to be the more loving and obedient to their husbands, the indulgent Englishmen; which indulgence I blame not, but commend, so far as it is a motive to stir them up to love and faithfulness. In this journey between Frederickstadt and Embden^ we htid four days hard travelling, and were twice over* THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 61 turned out of our waggons, but we got no harm, which was admirable to us ; for once we fell, waggon and all, over a great bank, just by the side of a large ditch, and did but just save ourselves out of the ditch. The next time we overset upon stones : we wondered that none of us were hurt, particularly myself, I being much heavier than any of the rest ; but through the mercy of God, wc got well to Embden the second time, and had a meeting upon a first day, and immediately after meeting, we took ship for Delfzeel, which was from Embden about nine or ten English miles, by water, and with a fair gale of wind, got there in less than two hours time. We spoke by interpreters all along, and were divinely helped to preach the gospel to the satisfaction of others, and our own com- fort ; and the friend who interpreted for us, was sensible of the same divine assistance, to his admiration, for which we were all truly thankful. But, notwithstanding we were so opened, to the satisfaction of ourselves, our friends, and the people, yet we were sometimes emptied to exceeding great spiritual poverty, and in the sense of our want and need, we did many times pour out our souls and spirits in humble prayer and supplication to the Most High, for his help and strength, that it might be made manifest to us in our weakness ; and we found him a God near at hand, and often a present help in the need- ful time, and had a sweet answer to our prayers. Oh ! that my soul, with all the faithful, may dwell near to him, in whom alone is the help, and strength of all his faith- ful servants and ministers ! Amen. From Delfzeel we went to Groeningen, the chief city in Groeningland, and so on to a river called the Wonder, and to a town named Goradick, where we had a meeting with a few friends there, and some of their neighbours came to the meeting. It was to us a comfortable meet- ing, and they were glad of it, they being but seldom visit- ed by friends. From this place v/e travelled by waggon to Hervine, where we lodged that night, and next day went by waggon to Leuwarden. It happened that we had generally very fine weather while in those open wag- 6.2 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. gons, in which we travelled several hundred miles, so that JacoJD Clans, our companion and interpreter, though he had travelled much, said he never had observed the like before ; which observation I thought good to make, with thanks to the Almighty. From the city of Leuwarden, we came by water to Herlingen, where friends were glad to see us, and wc them. We had a meeting in friends* meeting-house, and a good comfortable one it was, blessed be the Lord for it ! From hence we crossed the South Sea, and had a contrary wind, which made our passage long and tedious. We were two days and two nights on this water before we got to Amsterdam, in all which, and the next day, I tasted no food, being three days fasting. I was willing to keep my body under, and found it for my health, neither had I any desire for food in those three days, in which time we had two meetings. We arrived at Am- sterdam about the sixth hour, on the first day morning, and had two meetings at Amsterdam that day, which were quiet, and many people came to one of them : but we could not be clear without going again to North- Holland ; so from Amsterdam we went to Horn, where we had a meeting in the collegian's meeting-house, and it was to satisfaction : the people were very loving, and divers very tender, even more than we have usually seen. They desired another meeting, but our time would not admit of it, we having appointed a meeting at Twisk the next day, which we had in the meeting-place, as also another at a friend's house. The next day we returned to Amsterdam, and had a meeting, which began about the fifth hour, which was the last meeting we had in this city, and I hope it will not easily be forgotten by some. After it wc solemnly took our leave of friends, and departed for Harlem, where we were well refreshed in the love and life of Christ Jesus, our dear Lord, and good Master. From Harlem we went with several friends to Rotterdam, where we had two meetings, and in the evening we went to visit a friend that was not well, with whom we had a meeting, and affecting time, ^d the sick friend was com- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 63 forted and refreshed, and said, she was much better than before; and we were edified, and the Lord our God praised and magnified over all, who is blessed for ever. In those parts, viz. Holland, Friesland, Germany, &:c. we travelled 972 English miles, all in waggons and ves- sels. We came not on a horse's back all the time. It was about nine weeks that we stayed in those countries, travelling therein, and getting meetings where we could, which were to the number of forty-five, thus accounted : at Rotterdam 10 ; Harlem 3 ; Amsterdam 10 ; Twisk 4 ; Herlingen 3 ; Horn 1 ; Hamburgh 1 ; Embden 2 ; Frederick stadt 10; Goradick 1. All these are large cities, except Twisk and Gorac dick. From Rotterdam we took ship for London, and on the 30th of the 3d month, 1709, we sailed down the river Meuse to the Briel, in the ship Ann, John Duck, mas- ter, but he miss?ng the convoy, we took our passage in the packet; and so from Helvoctsluys we sailed over to Harwich, and thus safely arrived in our native land, blessing Almighty God for his many preservations and deliverances by sea and land. About this time (after a long continuance of war) there was great talking of peace ; but the old enemy to peace, truth, and righteousness, broke it off by his evil work- ing in man : neither can there be any lasting peace, until the nations come to the witnessing of the peaceable gov- ernment and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be set up and established in themselves. The Lord bring it to pass, if it be his blessed will, with speed, for his holy name's sake! Amen. As I have had great peace and satisfaction in my trav- els in Holland and Germany, so, for exciting others un- der the like exercise, I may truly say, that there is en- couragement for faithful ministers to labour in the work of the gospel : for I know not that I ever met with more tenderness and openness in people, than in those parts of the world. 'J'here is a great people which they call me- nonists, who are very near to truth, and the fields are •^hite unto harvest among divers of that people, spirit- 64 THE JOURNAL GF THOMAS CHALKLEY. ually speaking. Oh! that faithful labourers, not a few^, might be sent of God Almighty into the great vineyard of the world, is what my soul and spirit breathes to him for. After lodging one night at Harwich, we came to Ips- wich, and from thence to Colchester, and stayed there the first day, and had two meetings; and had a meeting at Birch and Coggsheal, and then back to Colchester, ^vhere we took coach for London, to the yearly meeting of friends, which was very large. I gave some short ac- count of my travels to the said meeting, with which friends Avere satisfied, and made a minute thereof. I had been about twenty months from my habitation, and from my dear and affectionate wife, and from any manner of trade and business, either directly or indirectly, being all that time wholly given up in my mind to preach the glorious gospel of God our Saviour, without any outward con- sideration whatever, taking my great Master's counsel, As I had freely received from him, so I freely gave : and had that solid peace in my labours that is of more value than gold, yea, than all the world. From the yearly meeting I travelled through some parts of most of the counties in England, and also in Wales : in which service, I laboured fervently, and often travel- led hard, in body and mind, until the next yearly meet- ing, 1710, having travelled that year about two thousand five hundred miles, and had near three hundred public meetings, in many of which there were much people^ and oftentimes great openness. I being at so many friends houses, and at so many meetings, if I was to be partic- ular in the same, it would be too voluminous, for which,, and some reason beside, I only give a general account thereof here. In this year (1710) my dear friend and fellow-travel- ler, Richard Gove, departed this life, at Uxbridge about fifteen miles from London, at our friend Richard Richard- son's house. He died of a consumption. We travelled together in great love and unity, and the Lord blessed his work in our hands. We were in company in the West- India islands, Ireland, and North-Britain, till we came to THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS GHALKLEY. QS Berwick on Tweed. We met together again at London, and he visited some other parts of Britain, in the time I was in Holland and Germany. He was an inoffensive, loving friend, and had a sound testimony, which was ser- viceable and convincing, and was well beloved in Phila- delphia, where he lived. He left a good savour and report behind him (I think) wherever he travelled in the world. Now at this general meeting in London, I had a good opportunity to take my leave of my dear friends and brethren in my native land, not expecting to see it, or them, any more in this world. Oh ! I may truly say, it was a solemn parting ! it was a solemn time tp me in- deed. After the yearly meeting was over, I took my passage in the Mary-Hope, John Annis, master, bound for Philadelphia ; and on the 29th of the fourth month, 1710, at Gravesend, after having taken a solemn leave of our relations, and several of my dear friends, we set sail, and overtook the Russia fleet at Harwich, and so joined them, and sailed with them as far as Shetland, which is northward of the isles of Orkney. We were with the fleet about two weeks, and then left them, and sailed to the westward for America. In this time we had rough seas, which made divers of us sea-sick. Af- ter we left Shetland, we were seven weeks and four days- at sea before we saw the land of America, and glad we were when we got sight thereof. In this time we had divers sweet and solemn meetings, on first days and fifth days, wherein we worshipped and praised the great Je- hovah, and many things were opened in the spirit of love and truth, to our comfort and edification. We had one meeting with the Germans or Palatines on the ship's- deck, and one who understood both languages interpret- ed for me. The people were tender and wrought upon, behaved sober, and were well satisfied : and I can truly say, I was well satisfied also. In this voyage we had our health to admiration ; and I shall observe one thing worthy of my notice. Some of my loving and good friends in London, fearing a sick- Jiess in the ship, as she was but small consideriiig there K 6f6- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET. were so many souls on board her, being ninety-four in number, they, for that and other reasons, advised me not to go in her; for they loved me well, and I took it kindly of them: but I could not be easy to take their advice, because I had been long from my habitation and business, and which was yet more, from my dear and lo\ - ing wife; and notwithstanding the vessel was so full and crowded, and also several of the people taken into the ship in the river Thames, yet they mended on board the vessel apace, and were soon all brave and hearty, being perfectly recovered at sea, and the ship, through the providence of the Almighty, brought them all well to Philadelphia, in the seventh month, 1710. I think I never was in a more health}' vessel in all my time, and I thought this peculiar favour worthy to be recorded by me. We had a very pleasant passage up the river Del- aware, to our great satisfaction, the Palatines being won- derfully pleased with the country, mightily admiring the pleasantness and the fertility of it. Divers of our peo- ple went on shore, and brought fruit on board, which was the largest and finest they had ever seen, as they said, such as, apples, peaches, &c. I was from my family and habitation, in this journey and travel, for the space of three years, within a few weeks ; in which time, and in my return, I had sweet peace to my soul ; glory to God for ever more ! I had meetings every day when on land, except second and seventh days, (when in health, and nothing extraordinary hindered), and had travelled by sea and land fourteen thousand three hundred miles, according to our English account. I was kindly and tenderly received by my friends, who longed to see me, as I did them, and our meeting was comfortable and pleasant. After this long travel and voyage, I staid at home, and looked after the little family which God had given me, and kept duly to meetings, except something extraordi- nary hindered. Divers people, when I came home^ raised a false report of me, and said, I had brought home a great deal of money and goods, that I got by preaching ; which was utterly false and base ; for I THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, 67 brought neither money nor goods, so much as to the \'ahie of five pounds, except my wearing apparel ; so much the reverse, that I borrowed money at London to pay for my accommodations home, the which I faithfully remitted back again to my friend that lent it to me, to whom I was much obliged for the same : and if I might have gained a hundred pounds per annum, it would not have tempted me to undertake that, or such another journey. Soon after my return home again, I visited a few neigh- bouring meetings, which were large and edifying, friends being glad to see me again returned home from that long journey. And I did, as I had reason to do, bless the holy name of the Lord, for his many preservations and deliverances by sea and land. After some stay at Philadelphia, I went down with my wife and family into Maryland, to a corn-mill and saw- mill, which I had there, in order to live there some time, and settle my affairs : and after being there some time, my dear wife was taken ill of a sore disease, which some thought to be an ulcer in the bladder, and I had her up to Philadelphia, she being carried as far as Chester in a horse-litter, where she continued for some months, in much misery, and extreme pain, at the house of our very kind friends, David and Grace Lloyd, whose kindness to us, in that sore, trying, and exercising time, was great, and is not to be forgotten by me, while I live in this world. From Chester we removed her again in a litter, being accompanied by our friends, to Philadelphia, where she continued very ill all that winter, often thinking that death tarried long, and crying mightily to the Lord, " Oh! Come away, come away !" This was her cry day and night, till at last she could speak no more. As we lived together in great love and unity, being very affec- tionate one to another ; so, being now left alone, I was very solitary, and sometimes sorrowful, and broken into many tears, in the sense of my loss and lonesomeness. This, my dear wife, was a virtuous young woman, and one that truly feared God, and loved his dear Son ; from whom she had received a good gift of the ministr}', and was serviceable to many therein. I had five children by 648 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. her, four sons and one daughter, all whom I buried be- fore her, under three years old. At the yearly meeting before she died, she was so wonderfully carried forth in her ministr}', by the divine grace, that divers of her friends believed she was near her end, she signifying something to that effect in her testimony, and that she should not live to see another yearly meeting : and so it came to pass ; for she died before another yearly meet- ing, being aged about thirty -five years, and a married woman about thirteen years. Her body was carried to friends' meeting-house, in Philadelphia, and buried in friends' burying- ground, being accompanied by many hundreds of our friends, in a solemn manner: and my heart was greatly broken in consideration of my great loss ; and being left alone, as to wife and children, I many times deeply mourned, though I well knew my loss was her's and their gain ! Here I shall end the first part of the journal of some part of my life and travels, omitting many meetings, and lesser journies, which I performed : and the accounts here given have been mostly general, not descending into Tnany particulars ; though the adding some things might have been instructive and agreeable : the whole being intended as a motive to stir up others to serve, love, and faithfully follow, and believe in Christ, END OF THE FIRST PAR^^ •y • ^« A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, LABOURS, TRAVELS, 'i^c. OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. PART II. 1 NOW gave up my time mostly to travelling, for about the space of two years, in which I visited the meetings of friends in the provinces of Pennsylvania, East and West- Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and North- Carolina, and back again to Philadelphia, and then to New- Jersey again: also to Long-Island, Rhode-Island, Conanicut-Island, Nantucket- Island, and New-England, and through those parts on my return to Philadelphia. In these provinces, &c. I travelled some thousands of miles, and had many large meetings, some in places where there had not been any before, and some were convinced, and many would acknowledge to the testimony of truth, which was de- clared by the help and grace of Christ; and many times my heart was, by the assistance of that grace, wonderful- ly opened to the people. If I should be particular in the account of these journies, it would enlarge this part of my journal more than I am willing. In Virginia I had a meeting at James' river, where a priest of the church of England, with some of his hear- ers, made some opposition, after our meeting was over, and ^vere for disputing about religion j and he openly de.- rO THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. clared, " The spirit was not his guide, nor rule ; and he hoped, .never should be. But, he said, the scriptures were his rule, and that there was no need of any other ; and that they were as plain as Gunter's line, or as 1, 2, 3." I told him, the scriptures were a good secondary rule, and that it were well if men would square their lives according to their directions ; which we, as a peo- ple, exhorted all to : but that the holy spirit, from which the holy scriptures came, must needs be preferable to the letter, that came from it ; and without which holy spirit, " the letter kills," as saith the apostle. I also asked him, how he, or any else, without the light, or influence of the holy spirit, could understand the scriptures, which were parabolically and allegorically expressed, in many places ? And further, to use his own expression, how could any understand Gunter's line, without Gunter's knowledge ? or without they were taught by Gunter, or some other? Neither can we be the sons of God, without the spirit of God. Which he answered not, but went away. In New- England, one Joseph Metcalf, a Presbyterian teacher, at Falmouth, wrote a book, entitled, " Legal forcing a maintenance for a minister of the gospel, war- rantable from scripture, &c." Which book a friend, of Sandwich, gave me, and desired I would answer it ; which, after finding some exercise on my mind, for the cause of truth, I was willing to undertake; and accord- ingly wrote an answer thereto, which I called, " Forcing a maintenance, not warrantable from the holy scriptures, for a minister of the gospel." In which I endeavoured to set the texts of scripture in a true light, which he had darkened and misrepresented by his chimerical doc- trines. In this year, 1713, I went from Philadelphia, in the Hope Galley, John Richmond, master, to South Caro- lina. We were about a month at sea ; and when it pleased God that wc arrived at Charleston, in South-Car- olina, we had a meeting there, and divers others after- wards. There are but few friends in this province, jct I had several meetings in the country* The people were THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 71 generally loving, and received me kindly. What I had to declare to them, I always desired to speak to the Avit- ness of God in the soul, and according to the pure doc- trine of truth in the holy scriptures ; and there was open- ness in the people in several places. I was several times to visit the governor, who was courteous and civil to me. He said I " deserved encouragement," and spoke to sev- eral to be generous, and contribute to my assistance. He meant an outward maintenance ; for he would have me encouraged to stay among them. But I told him, that though it might be a practice with them, to maintain their ministers, and pay them money for preaching, it was contrary to our principles to be paid for i>reaching, agreeably to the command of our great master, Christ Jesus, who said to his ministers, " Freely you have re- ceived, freely give :" so that we arc limited by his words, whatever others are : and those who take a liberty con- trary to his doctrine and command, I think, must be an- tichrist's, according to holy scripture. The longer I stayed there, the larger our meetings '^vere ; and when I found myself free and clear of those parts, I took my passage for Virginia, in a sloop, Henry Tucker, master. I had a comfortable and quick passage to James' river, it being about two hundred leagues. The master of the vessel told me, " That he believed he was blessed for my sake." I wished him to live so as that he might be blessed for Christ's sake. And some reformation was be- gun on him in our voyage ; which Avas the goodness of God, through Christ, to him, and not to be attributed to me, any farther than an instrument in the divine hand; for of ourselves we cannot do any thing that is good, it being by grace, through faith, that we are saved, which is God's gift to the soul. After I had been sometime in Virginia, I got a pas- sage up the bay of Chesapeak, and had several meetings in Maryland, friends being glad to see me ; and we were comforted in Christ our Lord. I made some little stay at a place I had in that province, called Longbridge, and then returned to Philadelphia, where I lodged at the 72. THE JOURNAL or TUOMAS GHALKLEY. house of my very kind friends Richard and Hannah Hill, and was oftentimes at divers neighbouring meetings, and sometimes had good service therein. About this time I had an inchnation to aher my con- dition of being a widower, to a married state ; and the most suitable person that I, with some of my good friends, could think upon, was Martlia, the widow of Joseph Brown : and on the 15th of the second month, 1714, we were joined together in marriage, with the unity of friends in general. We had a large meeting at our marriage, the solemnization thereof being attended with the grace and goodness of God ; and, for example sake, we made but little provision for our guests : for great entertainments at man'iages and funerals began to be a growing thing among us, which was attended with divers inconveniencies. My wife was a sober and religious young woman, and of a quiet natural temper and disposition ; which is an excellent ornament to the fair sex ; and indeed it is so both to male and female ; for, accordmg to the holy scrip- tures, " a meek and quiet spirit is with the Lord of great price." The first child we had I called Abigail (or the father's joy, as the word signifies), and while she lived, I had joy and comfort in her, even more than I could expect, her age considered ; for she lived but about eighteen months, yet in that time gave frequent proofs of an un- common capacity, and dropt such extraordinary expres- sions, that I have said to her mother, " This child is too ripe for heaven, to live long on earth ; therefore let us not set our hearts upon it." And I have thought that in this child the saying of Christ was fulfilled, even in the letter of it, " Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou hast perfected praise." Mat. xxi. 16. I was at divers yearly meetings in 1715, viz. at Chop- tank, in Maryland ; at Shrewsbury and Salem, in New- Jersey ; all which meetings were very large and comfort- able ; many things being opened therein, tending to the Convincing and establishing the people in the truth and THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 73 doctrine of Christ. I was likewise at divers other meetings in those provinces, which were large and sat- isfactory. At Salem yearly meeting I was sent for to the prison, where there was a young woman that was to be tried for her life. She desired that I would pray for her, and charged me to warn the young people to be careful not to keep bad company ; " for," said she, " it has been my ruin, and brought me to this shame and reproach." She had been tenderly brought up and educated. I knew her when she wore a necklace of gold chains, though now she wore iron ones. Upon which subject I had afterwards a large opportunity to speak to the people in a very moving manner; which seemed very much to af- fect the youth, and others in the meeting, which con- sisted of many hundreds of people. I sav/ this young woman afterwards, the jury acquitting her ; and I told her, that her life was given her for a prey ; and remind- ed her, how it was with her when she was in prison in chains ; and I advised her to walk more circumspectly for the future; which she said she hoped she should do. In the year 1716, I had some concerns which drew me to the island of Bermuda (to which island I went twice that summer). My family increasing, I traded a little to sea for their support and maintenance : and I can truly say, I carried on my affairs and business in the fear of God, having an eye, or regard therein, more to his glory, than to my own interest. We had a rough passage to this island (in the first voyage) and were forc- ed, by distress of weather, to cast some of our goods into the sea ; and the storm being very violent, some of the seamen thought we should be devoured by the waves ; and as for me, they had shut me up in the cabin alone, all in darkness, and the water came in so that they were forced to take it out in buckets. When the storm was a little over, the master came to me, and asked " How I did all alone in the dark?" I told him pretty well ; and said to him I was very willing to die, if it so pleased, God ; and indeed I did expect no other at that tini.-. After this great storm was over we arrived at Bermuda L Y4, THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. in a few da} s ; but going into the harbour, the bottom of the vessel struck the rocks, but we got well in; ibr which I was thankful to the Almighty. I stayed on the island about a month, and had several meetings ; to some of which, many came \\ ho were not called friends. I'her were all sober, and some well satisfied ; and the people of the island generally received me lovingly, and were very kind to me. Our ancients, who bore the burden and heat of the day, met with very different treatment. I tenderly desire, that we who come up after them, may be truly humble and thankful to the Almighty for all his mercies. By reason of my outward affairs, I had opportunities with some persons of great note and business on this island; and sometimes opened the principles of friends to their satisfaction ; some of them told me, " They never understood so much concerning our friends be- fore; and if what 1 said was true, they had been misin- formed." Divers such opporunities I had with several on this island, there being but very few of our society. These are called the Summer Islands, or Bermudas, there being many little islands in tlie midst of the main island, in form like a horse-shoe, and are about two hun- dred leagues distance from the capes of Delaware. It is rare to see hail, snow, or ice there. After I had done my business, and had been for some time on the island, I had a ready and comfortable passage home, where I was joyfully received. After some little stay at home, I went the second time that summer, to Bermuda and then also I had some meetings, and did some business on the island. It was my constant care, that my worldly affairs should not hin- der me in my religious concern for the good of souls. It happened at this time there was a mighty hurricane of wind, so that it blew many houses to the ground, and very many trees up b} the roots, and rent divers rocks asunder, which I was an eye-witness of: though it is tcr be observed, that those rocks in the Summer Islands, are not so hard as in some other parts of the world, particu- larly to the northward; for here they saw them with THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS GHALKLEY. 75 saws, and cut them with axes like wood. I was told there were sixty sail of vessels then at these islands, and all drove on shore but three, and ours was one of the three that rode out the storm ; for which I was truly thankful. In this great storm, or hurricane, several sloops, there being no ships, were driven upon dry land, so that after the storm was over, one might go round them at high water, and several blown off the dry land into the water. One that was ready to be launched, though fastened on the stocks with two cables and an- chors put deep in the ground, yet the violence of the wind blew her into the water, and dashed her all to pieces. About this time the Bermuda people had got a vast trea'>ure of silver and gold, out of the Spanish wrecks ; arid at a meeting which I had with a pretty many people, on the first day of the week before the huiTicane, or storm of wind, it came weightily on my mind to exhort them not to be lifted up therewith, nor exalted with pride : for I declared to them, that the same hand that took it from the Spaniards, could take it from those who had now got it out of the sea ; and if he pleased, by the same w;'y; which was a storm that cast away the ships going for Spain. And indeed so it happened the same week ; for it was reckoned by men of experience and judgment, that they had lost more by the storm, than they had gained by the wrecks of the Spaniards. A sober old man, not of our profession, told me the next day after the hurricane was over, that what I spoke in the meeting was soon come to pass : and he added, I was a true prophet to them. Many houses that were not blown down were uncovered. My landlord's house being old, several thought it would be down ; but by the good providence of God, it was one of them which stood. I was in my store, which stood also, though I expected every minute when it would have been blown down. It was by the mercy of God we were preserved, and not for any merit of ours. I intreated the Lord in the midst of this great wind, that he would please to spare the lives of the people ; for many of them being seafaring men, 76 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET. were very unfit to die ; at which time I thought I was sensible of the answer of my prayer, and he was pleased to be intreated for them : for, notwithstanding the vio- lence of the storm, and the great destruction it made, yet not one man, Avoman, child, or creature was lost, that I heard of in all the island, which was to me very admirable. The friend of the house came to me after the storm abated, and said, *' The Lord had heard my prayers for them." Although they could not by any outward knowledge, know that I had prayed for them, yet they had a sense given them, that I was concerned for them before the Almighty; which indeed was true. Oh ! that we may never forget the merciful visitations of tlie High and Lofty One, who inhabits eternity ! While I was on the island I was invited to, and kindly entertained at the houses of several of the gentry, and at the governor's, who invited me several times to his house : and once I was with him, and some of his chief officers at dinner, with divers of the first rank, where I was treated very kindly ; and after dinner the governor's practice was to drink the king's health, and he hoped I would drink it along with thern. " Yes, said the rest at the table, Mr. Chalkley (as they called me) will surely drink the king's health with us." So they passed the glass, with the king's health, till it came to me ; and when it came to me, they all looked stedfastly at me, to see what I would do, and I looked as stedfastly to the Al- mighty, and I said to them, I love king George, and wish him as w ell as any subject he hath ; and it is known to thousands that we pray for him in our meetings and as- s-cmblies for the worship of Almighty God ; but as to drinking healths, either the king's, or any man's else, it is against my professed principle, I looking on it to be a vain, idle custom. I'hey replied, " That they wished the king had more such subjects as I was ; for I had pro- fessed a heart}- respect for him:" and the governor and they all were very kind and friendly to me all the time I was on the island. After I had finished my concerns, I embarked in the sloop Dove, for Philadelphia, she being consigned to me THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. ?? in this and the former voyage. It being often calm and small winds, our provisions grew very scanty. We were about twelve persons in the vessel, great and small, and but one piece of beef left in the barrel; and for several days, the wind being contrary, the people began to mur- mur, and told dismal stories about people eating one an- other for want of provisions; and the wind being still against us, and, for ought we could see, like to continue, they murmured more and more, and at last, against me in particular, because the vessel and cargo was consigned to me, and was under my care, so that my inward exercise was great about it; for neither myself, nor any in the vessel, did imagine that we should be half so long as we were on the voyage ; but since it was so, I seriously considered the matter; and to stop their murmuring, I told them they should not need to cast lots, which was usual in such cases, which of us should die first, for I would freely offer up my life to do them good. One said, " God bless you. I will not eat any of you.'* An- other said, " He would die before he would eat any of me;" and so said several. lean truly say, on that oc- casion, at that time, my life was not dear to me, and that I was serious and ingenuous in my proposition : and as I was leaning over the side of the vessel, thoughtfully considering my proposal to the company, and looking in my mind to him that made me, a very large dolphin came up towards the top or surface of the water, and looked me in the face ; and I called the people to put a hook into the sea, and take him, for here is one come to redeem me, (said I to them;) and they put a hook into the sea, and the fish readily took it, and they caught him. He was longer than myself: I think he w^s about six feet long, and the largest that ever I saw. This plainly shewed us that we ought not to distrust the providence of the Almighty. The people were quieted by this act of Providence, and murmured no more. We caught enough to eat plentifully of till we got into the capes of Delaware. Thus I saw it was good to depend upon the Almighty, and rely upon his eternal arm; which, in a particular manner, did preserve us safe to our desire4 76 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. port, blessed be his great and glorio\is name, through Christ forever! I now stayed at, and about home, for some time ; af- ter which 1 was concerned to visit friends in several places, and in the adjacent provinces, as Maryland, New- Jersey, &c. and was at many marriages and funerals, at which many times, we had good opportunities to open the way, and also the necessity to be married to Christ Jesus, the great bridegroom of the soul ; and also to exhort the people to consider and prepare for their latter end and final change ; which many times was sanctified to divers souls, and the Lord's name was glorified, who is worthy thereof. In the year 1717, I went into Maryland, to look after my aftairs in that province; and as 1 travelled, I had divers meetings at Nottingham, and at Bush-river, about which time, at Bush-river, several were convinced. The meeting I found in a growing condition in that which is good, several persons meeting together in silence to wor- ship God, according to Christ's institution, which was, and is, and ever will be, in spirit and in truth : and for the encouragement of all such, Christ hath said. That such the Father seeketh to worship him ; and again. Where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And if Christ be in the midst, there is no absolute need of vocal teaching, except it be the will of the Lord to call any to it. Let the spiritual christian read and judge. After my return I had several meetings in the country, near Philadelphia ; and about the latter end of the eighth month I was at divers marriages, one of which was on the third day of the week, about fifteen miles above Phil- adelphia, over Delaware river: the next was over the river again, about twenty miles below the city : the third was about twenty miles further down the river, and on the opposite side at Salem, on the following days ; so that I crossed the Delaware river three times in t)»ree days, and rode about one hundred miles. The meetings were all large, and matter suitable to the occasion freely opened to the people. These remarks are not intended STHE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. ?9 to set up man, or exult flesh, but to stir up others to come up to the work of Christ in their generation : all the glory and goocUiness of man is but as the grass, which soon withers, without we dwell in the root of true re- ligion, and holy life of Christ ; and that God may have the glory of all his works, is the end of all the labours and travels of the servants and faithful ministers of Christ. In the tenth month, 1717, divers considerations mov- ing me thereto, I took a voyage to Barbadoes, in the snow Hope, J. Curtis, master, and from tlience to Great- Britain and London; partly on account of business, and hoping once more, if it pleased God, to see my aged father, my brother, relations, and friends ; which voy- age I undertook in the solid fear of God. I desired the concurrence of my wife, ;.nd my friends and brethren of the meeting to which I did belong, in this undertaking, the which I had in a general way, and the good wishes and prayers of many particulars, with a certificate from our monthly meeting, signifying their unity with my conversation and ministry, and present undertaking : and I felt the love and goodness of God therein, but ia many respects it was a great cross to me, as the leaving my beloved wife and children, and many of my dear friends, whom I loved well in Christ; and the crossing of the seas always was troublesome to me, beiiig sickly at sea, especially in windy or stormy weather ; and the confinement was worse to me for the time than a prison ; for it would be much easier to me to be in prison on land, upon a good account, than in prison at sea, I always looking on a ship to be a perilous prison, though my lot was to be much therein : and as for my natural life, I always gave it up whenever I went to sea ; and I thought that was the least part of the hardship, never putting much value thereon ; and I think I had rather die at any time than go to sea, it being so contrary to my nature and disposition, as well as inclination ; but to sea I went, for the reasons mentioned, and got from Philadelphia to Newcastle the first night in said vessel, and to Elsingburgh next day, where we lay for a fair 80 TliE JOURNAL OF TH6MAS CHALKLEY. wind about two days ; and when the wind was fair, we sailed to Bombay-hook, where we met with two other vessels bound out to sea, who waited also for the wind. We lay there two nights, and then on a first- day morn- ing set sail, the weather being bitter cold, and the ice very thick on the sides of our vessel, and on our ropes. The same day that we left Bombay-hook we got out to sea, took in our boat, and went on our way ; and in four or five days we got into warmer weather. In this voyage I wrote someth ng on the common prayer, used by some of the church of England, whose conversations were very loose and corrupt, which I en- titled, " One truly tender scruple of conscience, about that form of prayer, called the common prayer, as used by the church of England and her members," &c. In this our voyage we saw several ships, but spoke with none ; and in twenty- seven days from our capes we arrived at Barbadoes, and came to an anchor in Carlisle- bay. I had been twice in Barbadoes before, but this was the quickest passage by one day. Here I was lovingly and tenderly received by my friends. I took my good friend Joseph Gamble's house for my quarters, most of the time whilst I stayed on the island ; and I visited friends' meetings several times over, there being five of friends' meeting-houses in the island, and our meetings were sometimes large and open. Our stay was longer here than we at first expected, by reason of a great drought, they having no rahi for more than a quarter of a year, which was a great hin- drance to trade on the island. While I was this time in Barbadoes, our ancient friend George Gray died. I was at his funeral, at which there were many people ; and on this occasion we had a large meeting at our meeting-house at Speights-town, where I had a season- able opportunity with the people, opening to them the necessity of preparing for, and thinking of their latter end ; and pressed them earnestly thereto. They were generally attentive and sober, and some were broken in- to tenderness. While we were buiying the friend there THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, gl appeared a dismal cloud hanging over the island, such an one as I never saw before : it was to my thinking, of the colour of the flame of brimstone ; and I expected there would have been a great storm, or some mighty gust, and much rain, they having had very little for m^ny weeks, or some months; but it went over, and there was no rain or wind as I remember. Soon after some people came in from sea, and they said, that from that cloud it rained ashes ; and they bj'ought some of the same to the island, some of which ashes I now have be- fore me : the taste of them seems to me to be a little sulphurous, and have some glittering particles ni them, in colour and smell I think they differed little from com- mon ashes. Herein the almighty and infinite Being sig- nally shewed his mercy and favour to poor mortals ; for had not his mercy prevented, he could as easily have rained down the fire as the ashes, who rained down fire and brimstone on the cities and inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, for their pride and idleness, much of which abounds among the inhabitants of Barbadoes, the people being very luxurious. Oh ! may the luxurious inhabit- ants of that isle, as also all others, consider their ways and doings, and not provoke the great Lord, the Sove- reign of Heaven and Earth, as many of them do by their evil lives, and voluptuous conversations ; and that they would kiss the Son, though not with a Judas' kiss, of profession, or speaking well or fair of him only, but but with divine love manifested through obedience, while his wrath is but a little kindled against them before it break out into a flame. After this funeral I was sent for to Bridge-town, to the> burial of a master of a ship, a young man, who was very fresh and well a few days before. There ^vas a great ap- pearance of people, and I was pretty largely opened in the meeting, on the words of the pro[)het, where he sa} Sj " All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fad- eth, because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: sure- ly the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flo^ver fadeth ; but the, Avord of our God shall stand forever.'" M 'l^"^ 'foE. jotfiif&Ai or taoSAS C«ALKL£T. 'Isaiah Ix. 6, 7, 8. And I treated of this word, its w6b- dtrfulness, its duration, and its work in man : as also of the fading constitution of mortal man, though young and strong, as that young man was a fi:\v days before^ Whose corpse was then before us. I was at divers other burials on this island, which in* deed doth prove a grave to many new-comers, it being a hot climate, makes those who are not accustomed to jt, very thirsty, and by reason of the extreme heat, it is not easy to quench their thirst ; so that what is called moderate drinking, throws many strangers into a violent fever, and oftentimes is the cause of their death. I note this as a caution to any who may transport themselves there, (that may see this), that they may shun that dan- ger; which might be avoided by drinking cool drinks, of which they have many sorts very pleasant, viz. cane, sugar-reed, and white sorrel, pine, orange, and divers others: and I advise such, as they love their health, to refrain from drinking much hot drink or spirits. I saw several curiosities in nature on this island, which among the great numbers of the works of God, do show forth his praise and glory. One to the leeward part of this island, which is called the spout, sends up a vast body of water into the air, occasioned by a great cavity in the rocks under the water, which may be seen in calm weather, when the sea is low; but when the wind blows (a great body of water being pent in a large hollow place) it forces it up into the air, sometimes ten, fifteen^ and twenty yards high, according as the strength of the wind is more or less, and makes a report like a cannon, or thunder a great way off. I believe I have seen it ten or twelve miles out at sea. I was also at a place called Oliver's cave, which we got to with some difficulty, in going down the steep and craggy rocks. There is on the outward part next the sea, a very large vaulted place^ in the form of a half circle, about one hundred feet high, as near as I could guess. In this large vault, behind a rock, is the mopth of the cave, not the height of a man at the first entrance ; after one is in a few yards, one may walk upright comfortably, the bottom being pretty 'tan JOURKAL 99 THOMAS CHALKLETs 8^ plain and smooth for about a hundred yards, and then we come into a large cave which is formed archwise, and about ten or fifteen yards high, as we thought, being much higher in the middle than the sides, but almost as regular as if it had been done by art, which we beheld with admiration, by the help of wax candles, and other lights, that we made and carried for that purpose. When I had done my business in Barbadoes, having been about thirteen weeks there, our vessel being loaded, we sailed from thence the 10th of the second month^ 1718, for London. We had a good passage, being five weeks and two days from Barbadoes to Great-Britain, in which we saw divers vessels at sea, but spoke with none; and after sight of the land, we got in two days to Beachy-head, which is about fifteen leagues from the Downs or Deal. We sailed along the shore by Folkstonc, where we took in a pilot, and had a comfortable passage through the Downs, and up the river Thames to London, where J met with my dear and aged father, and loving brother, sister, and cousins, and many others of my near and dear relations and friends. In this voyage I wrote some things which opened in my mind at sea, upon that excellent sermon of Christ's upon the mount, as it is recorded in the holy scriptures of the New Testament, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the evangelist Matthew, but have since heard that the same is nmch better done by an abler hand; and therefore it may suffice here to give the advice, which in the course of my travels I have often had occasion to do, that the professors of Christianity should frequently read this sermon, and be careful to practice the same ; that they may not only be christians in name, but in deed, and in truth. After visiting my relations, and some meetings of our friends in and about London, and having finished my business, being ready to return homeward, divers friends accompanied us from London to Gravesend ; and the wind not being fair, we went to Rochester, and had a meeting there ; and then back again to Gravesend, and 84 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. there took a solemn farewell of our friends, recommend- hig oiiC another to the grace of Christ, having this time iiiMcle bui iittie stay in Britain. In the tifth month, 1718, we sailed from the Downs in the aioresaid snow hope, ciivers friends, a iz. John Dan- son, Isaac Hadwin, John Oxiey, L} dia Lancaster, Liiza- beth Rawhison, aid Rebecca Turner, being in com- pany with us : alter about nine weeks passage from land to land, having had meetings on fii st days and lifih da} s on bcuid, all the voyage, we came all safe and well to Philadelphia, through the blessing of God, where I sta} ed Avith my famii} a few nicnths and took another voyage for Barbadoes and Britain. I was under some concern more thuii ordinal'} , as to the support and well- being, or accommodation of my famil} , the circum- stances thereof being a little changed b} the increase of children, rtmembering the words of the apostle. That those M'ho had not that care and concern, were worse than infidels: my Lord Jesus, whose servant 1 profess my- self to be, also s&ying, It is better to give than receive ; wheretore an opportunity offering of the consignment of a vessel and cargo, the snow Hope, Warner tlolt, Inaster, to Barbadoes, and from thence to London, and so to make returns home again, for Philadelphia, I em- braced it ; though with reluctance, to leave my very lov- ing wife, children, and friends, all whom I tenderly loved and respected. I also had in my e} e an hope, thrcnigh the blessing of God, to obtain wherewith to acconnno- date my friends, who were sti angers and pilgrims in this world for Jrsus' sake, as 1 also had been myself; and that they might find a place or home, and refreshment under my roof; not to excess, but to comfort and edifi- ciition ; whicli in sincerity, is all the grandeur I covet or desire in this world: so after due consideration, on the second day of the eleventh month, 1718, we set sail from Philadelphia, many friends taking their leave and farewell of us for that voyage. Thus with hearts full of love and good ^\"ill, we parted with our friends, and went down the ri\'er about five miles, where we ran aground, but got off next tide, and next day came to an anchor at Chester. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 85 On the fourth day of the month we set sail, and got to Newcastle about the eleventh hour; it being meeting day, we went to meeting, where our great Lord was pleased in some good measure to own us with his living presence, and comfort us with his love ; blessed be his holy name ! In the morning we sailed to Reedy-Island, where we stayed for the tide, and in the night our cable parted, which we knew not of till the morning, and then we had gone from the place where we anchored, about a league: but though the vessel drove about the river, yet she did not go on ground. We dropped our other anchor, and sent the boat to seek for that which was parted from us, but could not find it until the next tide, and then could not get it up, and were unwilling to go to sea without it ; which occasioned us to stay several tides before we could get it up ; at last with much difficulty we weighed it, our men's clothes being much frozen; for it was very cold, and froze extremely hard. After this we went down to Bombay-hook, where was also another vessel going out to sea. Next day the wind was against us, and it snowed much, and froze hard ; and that night the river and bay was filled with ice as far as we could see, and it drove very hard against our vessel, so that we wish- ed for day : for we thought sometimes it would have torn her bows into pieces ; but our anchor and cable held us, we thought, to a miracle, for which we were thankful to the great keeper of all those who put their trust in him. When the tide turned for us we got up the anch- or, and so let her drive with the ice down the bay : the other vessel did the same. It was now dangerous moving, go which way wc would. The vessel in company with us attempted to go back again, but seeing that we did not, as vve sup- posed, came to anchor again, and we both went down the bay together ; and the wind springing up fair, we got clear of the ice in a few hours time ; but by this hin- drance we could not get to sea that day, but were obliged to come to anchor near the middle of the great bay of Delaware, and the night being fair and calm, we rode it out safelvj which if it had been windy weather, would S6 Vhe jeuavAL of thomas ckalkley. have been dangerous. Early in the morning, of the 9th day of the month, we got to sea, and soon left sight of the land. Next day the wind was high, and the weather proved stormy for several days, insomuch that our main- deck was under water most of the time, so that we were forced to go before it for several days together. We also shut up our cabin windows, and were tossed exceedingly, and I was very sea-sick : and we began in this storm to fear falling on the rocks of Bermuda, which we were near, as we imagined, and the wind set right on the island. But when we had passed the latitude of Bermuda, we met with fair weather and winds, (all the remaining part of our passage being pleasant and com- fortable) ; by which I was led to consider the vicissitudes which mortals may expect while on this unstiible terra- queous globe, which is full of changes ; and I strongly desired to be rightly prepared for that world which is eternal, and its joy and felicity permanent ; at which bless- ed port, I hope in God's time, through his grace, safely to arrive. Thus through storms, tempests, ice, and snow, we left those frozen climes, and crossed the tropic of Cancer, between which, and that of Capricorn, there is neither frost nor snow at sea, at any time of the year, and the wind always within a small matter one way, viz. easterly, except in hurricanes and violent storms, which sometimes they have in those parts of the world. We arrived at Bridgetown, in Barbadoes, in twenty-one days, which was the quickest passage that I ever had, this being the fourth time of my coming hither, where I was always kindly received by my friends. About this time war was declared against Spain by the king of Great-Britain, by proclamation, in Bridgetown, which put such a damp on trade, that there was little business, and the markets low and dull, which made my stay longer than I would have chosen ; but my friends, among whom I had many opportunities, seemed rather pleased then otherwise ; telling me, " That they did not care if I was to stay there always if it were my place :" and vvhen I left Barbadoes, friends gave me better cre- dentials than I thought I deserved. A friend of mine TllE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. §7 giving me intelligence that the market was better at An- tigua than at Barbadoes, I dispatched my affairs, and took part of our cargo there, and was kindly received by our friends. We were about three days on our passage, and had fine weather therein. At Antigua I had divers meetings, my business at no time hindered me in my more weighty service ; for I always, through divine help, made that give way to my religious duty, in which I ever found peace and inward satisfaction. In about five weeks I finished my business in this island, having no small satis- faction in coming to it; and our vessel being now loaded, we took our solemn leave, and, with the good wishes of many, departed for England. Our friends there signified to their brethren, that they vTere glad of my company, and that I was serviceable to them, though I came upon business. My hand, when need required, was to my business, but my heart was, and I hope is, and ever shall be, freely given up to serve the Lord, in that work whereunto I believe he has called me. We have liberty from God, and his dear Son, lawfully, and for accommodation's sake, to work or seek for food or raiment ; though that ought to be a work of indifferency, compared to the great work of sal- vation. Our Saviour saith. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth for ever, or to eternal life : by which we do not understand, that christians must neglect their necessary occasions, and their outward trades and callings ; but that their chief labour, and greatest concern, ought to be for their future well-being in his glorious kingdom; else why did our Lord say to his disciples, Children, have you any meat ? they answered, no ; and he bid them cast their nets into the sea, and they drew to land a net full of great fishes ; and fishing being their trade, no doubt but they sold them, for it was not likely that they could eat them all themselves. Also the apostle of Christ says. He that doth not take care of his family, is worse than an infidel: and the apostle Paul, (the great apostle of the gentiles) wi'ought with his hands, even while he was in his travels> and m the work of the gosi^el ; and o1:hers tasted of the 88" THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CITALKLEY. benefit of his labour naturally, as well as spiritually. It is also written, That he that will not Avork, shall not eat. By this, and much more, which might be noted, it ap- pears that we not only have liberty to labour in modera- tion, but we are given to understand, that it is our duty so to do. The farmer, the tradesman, and the merchant, do not understand by our Lord's doctrine, that they must neglect their calling, or grow idle in their business, but must certainly work, and be industrious in their callings. We all ought to understand, that our hearts and minds ought to be out of the world, or above the na- ture and spirit of it. It is good and profitable for both soul and body, rightly to distinguish between earthly and heavenly things, and to be careful how to mix the one with the other ; for it is an eternal truth, that God and mammon cannot dwell together, or join together in the heart. If our love is more to God, than the creature, or to heaven than earth, then will he dwell in us, and with us : but if our love is more to the creature than to Christ, or to earth than heaven, then will he not dwell with us, but will leave us to ourselves ; for the Lord Omnipotent will not admit of any rival. On the 11th of the fourth month, 1719, we left An- tigua, stood close to the wind till we again crossed the tropic, and got into those latitudes where the winds are variable. Sailing in the great deep, we saw the wonders of the Lord, particularly in divers kinds of fish, they liv- ing upon one another in the sea, the great fishes on the small ones ; and mankind too much resembles them in that respect. About the latitude of 33 north, our mas- ter, Warner Holt, seeing a school of porpoises about the ship, though he was not very well, and had not been for most of the voyage, he took his harping-iron, and struck one of them, and we took him into the vessel, out of which we got eleven quart bottles of oil ; and we most of us eat heartily of this fish, which agreed with our people very well. They fried his liver for our mess, of which I eat a large meal, which was well tasted, and eat more like fresh beef than fish. I make this memorandum of it, that if any should take them when their provisions are •TflB JOURNAL OV THOWAS 0HALKLEY. 89 scarce, they may eat freely without danger, accorchng to our experience. When we had been at sea about three weeks, behig near the latitude of 40 north, and about the longitude of 42, though it was in the midst of summer, we saw an island of ice, at which we all marvelled, and judged that there had been a severe cold winter in those latitudes on the land of America. When we saw this island of ice we judged ourselves not far from the banks of Newfoundland. Hitherto we had easy gales of wind, and many calms, which made our passage seem long to us. We saw two sail of shios about those latitudes, but spoke with neither, being willing to shun them, as it wajs war time. We had, in this voyage, weekly meetings for worship- ping the Almighty, in which the great Lord both of sea and land, was pleased greatly to manifest his name and truth amongst us, for which my soul often secretly and openly blessed and praised his divine and glorious name and truth ; for he bore up my drooping spirit, so that I could truly say with the royal psalmist, not because he spoke it only, but also being an experimental witness thereof. " The floods have lifted up, Oh! Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice : the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many "waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." PsaL xciii. 3, 4. This the king wrote of his own experience in a spiritual sense ; but I may say, without boasting, I have witnessed the rage and noise of mighty waves and waters, both natural and spiritual ; the one, as though it would swallow up m}- reputation among men, and the other, as though it would swallow up my person, in this watry peregrination ; but blessed be the name of him that is holy and eternal, who indeed is stronger than the noise of many waters, or than the mighty waves of the sea, either inwardly or outwardly, I will through his strength, magnify his name, because he is worthy : and may I do it for ever ! About the 1 1th of the fifth month, we saw great flocks of birds, which we judged came from the Azorco, or Western Islands, near which we reckoned ourselves to be* N 90 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. The 21 St day we saw, and came up with a French ship, which had been fisliing on the banks of Newfoundland, and was bound for Havre-de-Grace, in France, the mas- ter of which came on board us, and our captain ^v■ent on board diem. We exchanged some rum and sugars, of our sea-siores, for their French v/ine and cider, and some of our provisions for some of their fish. The captain was a protestant, and very courteous to us: the regent of France at this time being kind to the protestants, so that they increased much in that kingdom. The Frenchman seeming desirous to kncvv" what rehgion I was of, I told him by an interpreter, that I was one called a quaker, or trembler, and that our principle was to do good to all men, and not to hurt any man, according to Christ's doctrine, not to render evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good. When tliey went away and took leave; of us, they desired me to pray for them, the which I re- membered with tenderness of spirit, and having but little wind, we kept company for several days ; but the wind springing fair, we wished them well, and went on our way, our vessel out-sailing most that we met with ; and u few days after we met with a Nev*^- England ship, who came out six days before us from Antigua. We were then in the latitude of about 50 north, and 291 degrees of longitude from the Land's-End of Great-Britain. The 30th day of the iifth month, we sounded, and found ground at twenty-eight i'uthom, and on the 1st day of tlie sixth month, we saw tlie Land's-End of England, all our celi, and got a horse to Dovej', iuid from Dover took coach to London. In the aTHE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. Bl coach were divers persons who beg^n to talk about the qiiakers, and spoke against their plain way of living- and clothing, and said, " That they did not understand their unfashionable way of conversation ; neither was it the way to gain proselytes." Upon which I asked them, whether they understood Paul, tlie great apostle of the gentiles ? who said, Be ye not conformable to the world, (i. e. the fashions of it), for this great reason, the worl/J, and the fashions thereof, passeth away ; which is a great truth, and it is plainly seen how fickle and changeable the world is in its vain fashions and customs, which, to fol- low, in all its foolish cuts and turns, or changes, must of consequence, make a man or woraan very foppish and apish. I told them, that our religion was agreeable to the holy scriptures, which, if they did not understand, neither could they understand us ; for the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, was generally therein very plain; and the doctrine in Christ's excellent sermon on the mount, is clear and plain to very low or mean capacities : so they discoursed no more of religion till we came to London, where once more I met with my loving and aged father, a man fearing God, and having a gift of the min- istry of the gospel of Christ, and well beloved of his friends and neighbours, who, with others of my near and dear relations and friends, received me gladly. After some months stay among my relations and friends in London, we sold our vessel, the snow Hope, and bought another ship, which we called the Trine- Hope, Warner Holt, master ; and when. I had done my business, I sailed in the same ship for Pennsylvania. We had meetings on board the vessel twice a week, in which the Almighty was pleased to favour us with his good presence. Sobriety, and the fear of God, and fiiith in his beloved Son, Christ, was often recommended to the youth then on board the vessel with us, of whom there were divers, who transported themselves to America, in order to settle there. At one meeting on board, I was tenderly concerned to remind them of Jacob, who in his youth, left his country and relations to sojourn in a strange land, and how in that undertaking, he sought thr ,92 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLW. Lord, and his blessing, more than any outward thing; -and that he was greatly blessed with man) favours I'rom heaven above, and also from the eai'th beneath, arid they were advised to take him lor their example : and many other things were tenderly 0])enedto them in the io\e of God, and in his fear and eounsel they were exhorted from time to time. It being winter time, we sailed to the southward, and got into warm weather, and were on our passage seven weeks and some odd days from land to land, in which time we saw several vessels, and spoke \\ ith one, whose people said, they were chased by a Turk, but got from him, at which they greatly rejoiced. We apprehended that it was our ship that they saw over night, for we saw a sail that crowded from us as fast as she could, and it being near night, we shortened sail, and so she left us ; but in the morning we came up with her, and being pretty near, both they and we put out our colours, and being both Englishmen, we spoke to each other, and were glad to meet with some of our own nation upon the great ocean ; but our vessel sailing best, we took our leave of them, wishing them a good voyage. We met with rough seas and high \vinds in the latter part of our pas- sage till we came to the capes of Delaware, which we all rejoiced to see, and we had a pleasant passage up the bay and river to Philadelphia, where I had once more a com- fortable meeting with my dear wife and family, which I gratefully acknowledged as a high favour from the hand of the Almighty. W^e arrived at Philadelphia the first of the second month, 1720; after which 1 stayed at, and about home, for some time, and was not idle, but kept to my business, and to meetings, and having a desire to see my friends in the province of Maryland, at their general meeting at West- River, I was accompanied by Isaac Norris and Thomas JVi asters, both sobtr young men. It had been a time of pretty much rain, and the waters thereby being high, going over a ford of Brandy-wine, my mare got among the rocks (it being a very rocky creek) she fell dQwn, and the stream being very strong, she rolled upon .THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS eHALKLEY*- 93 me, and being entangled with the stirrup, I could not easily clear m} self, but I gave a spring from her, and swam to clear myself from her ; and when I was cleaf I got to her again, and laid hold of her mane, and through the good providence of God, got well out with the mare on dry land, which was a remarkable deliverance. In three days we got to West- River, to the yearly meeting, which was large, and friends were glad to see me, I hav- ing not been there for several years. I was out on this journey about two weeks, and rode about 300 miles : and after my coming home, I travelled pretty much in and about the };rovnicesof Pennsylvania and New- Jersey. In the year 1721, Thomas Lightfoot and I, with Will- iam Brown, went to a meeting at Bush- River, and going over Susquehannah-ferr}', the people were fiddling and dancing. When the dance was over I asked them, be- lieving them to be protestants. If they thought Luther to be a good man ? They replied, " Yes, there was no doubt of it." Well, said I, and so do I ; and I will tell you what he says concerning dancing, " That as many paces as the man takes in his dance, so many steps he takes towards hell ;" which spoiled their sport, and they went away, and we went on ours towards the meeting 5 and a good meeting it was ! and we, after it, returned by way of Nottingham, and had a meeting there, and one at New- Garden, and so on to Philadelphia. I was from home about a week, and travelled in this journey about 150 miles, and was well satisfied therein. In the years 1721 and 1722, I went several journies, and had many large meetings, travelling many hundreds of miles, of which I neglected to keep a particular acw count, hardly thinking what I did worth recording ; but divers of my friends in many parts of the world, put me upon something of this nature, to which at length, I gave up, and found some benefit and satisfaction therein, in looking back and considering the dealings of God witli me in my youth and upwards. From Philadelphia I went to the general meeting at Slu-ewsbury, in Kast-Jersey, where I heard of J. G's 94 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. beins^ wounded by a }'oung man, with a sword, of which he died, lamenting that he did not take the counsel of his friends ; as young men, who slight the counsel of those that wish them well, commonly do, either sooner or lat- er, if the da} of their visitation be not over. Some few da}s alter this meeting at Shrewsbury, I visited friends on Long- Island, and returned home again, having trav- elled about 300 miles. In my stay at, and about home, I wrote something concerning Perfection, in answer .to a nameless author ; as also something concerning Predes'- tinalion, or Election and Reprobation. In the year 1722, I went back in the woods to Buck- ingham, the Great- Swamp, Perkioming, Manatawny, and Ole) , where I had meetings, travelling over great mountains, from which we could see many miles. I travelled in this journey about 150 miles, and returned home in about two weeks ; and after staying some time at home, and visiting neighbouring meetings ; I went to the yearly meeting of friends on Long- Island, which meeting was very large, many people (not of our persua- sion) being there, and were very sober. Many things were opened in the love of Christ, and his great love was largely declared to that great congregation. The parable concerning the prodigal son, came before me to speak of to the people in a very moving manner, and strongly to invite the youth to lay hold of the love of the father in his son, to poor souls : and indeed it is a won- derful parable, setting forth the infinite love of the great Lord of all to his poor creatures. Many were affected and reached to at this meeting, and the Almighty was praised and glorified, who alone is Morthy. From thence I went and had a meeting at New- York, and then set forward to VVoodbridge, where we had a comfortable meeting; Naaman, the Assyrian, being much tlie subject of that day's work : and that one thing lov- ed and esteemed more than Christ, whatever it be, is to be avoided, and the people warned to be careful to keep close to the God of Israel (si)iritual Israel) and to give up ail which is contrary to his nature, and to take up THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CIIALKLEY. 95 Christ's cross, and follow him : for it is those who fol- low him in the regeneration, that are to be heirs of his kingdom. In this year also I was at the burial of our friend Jona- than Dickinson, at which we had a very large meeting, he was a man generally well beloved by his friends and neighbours. In this meeting a passage (he had often told me in his health) was brought to my remembrance, I think worthy to be recorded to the end of time, which is as folio weth : " It happened at Port- Royal, in Jamaica, that two }'Oung men were at dinner with Jonathan, and divers other people of account in the world, and they were speaking about earthquakes (there having been one in that place formerly, which was very dreadful, having destroyed many houses and families). These two young men argued that earthquakes, and all other things, came by nature, and denied a supernatural power, or deity, in- somuch that divers, surprised at such wicked discourse, and being ashamed of their company, left it ; and at the same time the eailh shook, and trembled exceedingly, as though astonished at such treason against its Sovereign and Creator, whose footstool it is : and when the earth thus moved, the company which remained were so aston- ished, that some run one way, and some another, but these two atheistical young men sta} ed in the room, and Jonathan with them, he believing that the providence of Almighty God could preserve him there, if he pleased, and if not, that it was in vain to fly ; but the hand of God smote these two young men, so that they fell down ; and, as Jonathan told me, he laid one on a bed, and the other on a couch, and they never spoke more, but died soon after. This was the amazing end of these young men :" A dreadful example to all atheists, and dissolute and wicked livers. Oh ! that young people might be warn- ed, that the hand of God might be upon them for good, and that they would tenderly be concerned for their sal- vation ! On the 30th of the fourth month, 1723, my tenth child, named Thomas, died about midnight (having before bur- ied nine). It was some exercise to me thus to bury my 96 THE JOUR.VAL ©T THftMAS CMALKLKY. children one after anotlier ; but this did a little mitigate Tny sorrow, that I knew that if I could have all things relating to them according to my desire ; could I sec them grow up to be sober men and women well married, have a competency in the world &c. yet it was safer and better for them, and they more out of danger, being tak- en away in their infancy and innocency ; and I fervently begged of the Almighty, that he would be pleased to take them away while innocent, rather than that they should live to be vicious or unrighteous men and women, and to bring scandal on the holy name of Christ and upon our christian profession ; which considerations did mightily tend to settle and quiet my mind in my sorrowful exer- cise. The great Lord of all sanctify the sorrows and af. flictions of his people and children, and grant them the fulfilling of that blessed portion of holy scripture, that all things shall work together for the good of them that love and fear God : even so it be, saith my soul. In the sixth month of this year I removed from the city into the country, to a small plantation I had at Frankfort, in order to be more retired, and for health's sake, &c. finding some declining in my bodily strength, which I take to be very much owing to the severe colds and hardships I have sustained in my long and hard trav- els, more especially in the wilderness of America ; for, without vanity, I may say, that I always loved temperance, and have been sometimes zealously concerned to preach against intemperance ; and though I cannot now take so long journies as I have formerly, my spirit earnestly trav- els for the welfare of Zion, and the peace and prosper- ity of all those who love, fear, and serve God, and believe in his Son. On the 6th day of the eighth month it pleased God to give me another son, whom 1 named George, after my father, brother, nephew, and king ; and hough tliis name is now a great name among men, I considered that no name can preserve life, so I gave him up to the will of him who gave him to me, and desire, if I have no name through children to posterity, I may have a name in the Lamb's book of life, which 1 have ever esteemed far above a name amongst men. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. Q7 After my removal to this place I was not idle, but Visited neighbouring meetings, and in the eighth month I went to Shrewsbury general meeting, where there were many hundreds of people, and the truth declared had good impression upon the minds of many ; some after meeting, who were not of our society, acknowledged to the truth, and that they were glad they were there. In this meeting I was concerned for the welfare of mankind, and the exaltation of the holy name of the Almighty, to declare the universal love of God to man, from several texts of holy scripture, as that passage of Jacob and Esau, and Peter and Cornelius, and something concern- ing the objection made against us, the people called quakers, that we do not acknowledge the holy scriptures to be the word of God ; for though we believe that the scriptures came by divine inspiration, yet we are clearly convinced by their testimony, and by the spirit of truth in our hearts, that Christ is the eternal word of God, by tvhom all things were made and created, and do still exist. From Shrewsbury, with divers other friends, I rode to Crosswicks, where, on the fifth day, we had a very com- fortable meeting, in which the ancient love and goodness of our heavenly Father was with us to the tendering our hearts into tears of joy, some of us being likewise affected in remembrance of the goodness of the Almighty to us, in the meeting we had in this place under the trees about twenty-five years since. "J'he great subject of faith and works was spoken to; as, that the romans seemed to lay too much stress on works, and the lutherans, calvanists, and others, too little : but our principle led us to join botii together ; the Almighty having joined them together, none ought to separate them. This subject of f.iith and works having been much in debate amongst professed christians, it is on my mind here to mention a k\v things deduced from the best authority : The first is. Without fliith, it is impossible to please God. lied. xi. 6. Second, Faith is the gift of God. Third, Faith works bv love. ^Q THE J(jURNAL of THOMAS CHALKLEY. Fourth, Faith is the evidence of things not seen, and the subbtance of thinj^s hoped for. Fifth, Faith without works is dead. Sixth, The just Hve by faith. Seventh, You beHeve (or have faitli) in God, believe also in nic, John xiv. 1. And the author to tlie Hebrews speaks excellentl}'' conceriiir.g the power of faith, and the mighty wonders wrought by it. Note, this living, saving, true, and di- vine faith, must be in the heart, through, and in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who is, and always will be, the author and finisher of it in every true believer. After I came from Shrewsbury, I visited divers neigh- bouring meetings, and some in Chester county, where I had meetings for nine days successively, some of which, were very large (particularly at Providence and Goshen) in which I was opened to exhort them to keep to that plain, honest v>ay of life and conversation which our fathers and ciders were found in, and to remind them of the suffer- ings they endured for their testimony to the blessed truth, in the first breaking forth thereof in the last age ; and I was concerned to shew them, that the Almighty, who had blessed us with plenty of temporal blessings, would continue the same to us, if we were careful to live in his fear ; but that otherwise, we might expect his judgments for disobedience. And after my return, I continued about home for some time, it being winter season, and bad travelling, and I not so capable of travelling as formerly ; but I had great peace and tranquillity of mind, in that I had freely given up my youthful days to serve my Creator, and the same love and zeal was yet fresh and warm in my heart, for the glory of his great name ; and I still have a full reso- lution through his strength and grace to serve him, the great Lord of all, all my days, according to the light and strength given to me. Our yearly meeting at Philadelphia this year was large, in which our friend Benjamin Kid, from England, being with us, had good service. I cannot forget a concern which was upon me at this meeting, that the universal THE JOURNAL 6V THOMAS CHALKLBY. 9,9 love of God, through Christ, might prevail amongst man- kind, and to press friends to manifest to all people the influence thereof, by their exemplary lives and conversa- tion. In the second month, 1724, I went into New- Jersey as far as Shrewsbury, where, on a first day, we had a large meeting, to general satisfaction ; and the next day we had another, wherein the love and good will of God, through Christ, was opened freely to the people, and our duty to forgive one another was largely treated of ; and it was plainly shewn, that without forgiving others, we could not be forgiven of God, as Christ saith, " If 3'C forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive, you : but if ye forgive not men their tres- passes, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses ;" Mat. iv. 14 15, &c. and much more to the same effect on that subject ; as also Christ's an- swer to Peter, who asked, how oft a man should for- give his brother if he trespassed against him ? Peter says, till seven times : our Lord Jesus answers, I say not unto thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven. Mat, xviii. 22. And again, Christ says, If thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again unto thee, saying I re- pent, thou shalt forgive him, Luke xvii. 4. Which hard hearted people think a great hardship, but Christ's cross must be taken up, and borne daily, if we will be his dis- ciples and followers indeed, and in truth, as well as in profession. After we had reconciled some differences at Shrews- bury, we went to a place called Menesquan, and had a good, open meeting, and most of the people of that place were there. It was a good time, and I hope the oppor- tunity will not soon be forgotten by divers who were there. From this place we travelled to Crosswicks, and had a good meeting. After meeting, a friend told me that some would say, '' I spoke by information, because I had opened some matters which were exactly to the state and condition of some there :" But I knew nothing of their state and condition, otherwise than as it was then 100 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLtY. immediately opened in my mind ; neither had I been' told any thing concerning them directly or indirectly : and from thence we travelled to Burlington, where the jnondily meeting of our friends had desired that I would he assistant to help to end a difference which had hap- pened through mis-^take, and continued for about seven years (since the first occasion was given) and through divine assistance, our hearts being filled with the love of Christ, we so prevailed upon the differing persons, that they gave each other satisfaction, with hopes that they should live in love for the future ; and friends of the place greatly rejoiced at the end of that difference. As I went along this town, some friends told me of a religious people some few miles distant, whom they desired I would have a meeting with. I desired them to see if it Would be granted, and let me know ; which was done, and we had a meeting, and were kindly received, and the divine nature of the gospel of Christ was freely opened to them, and in great love we parted from one another. I travelled in this journey, about two hundred miles ; and when I came home, my dear wife and family gladly received me with hearts full of love. And this testimo- ny I think proper, for several solid reasons, to leave be- hind me, of my virtuous and loving wife, that since we were married, she never hindered me in that service, my great Master called me unto, in all the time of our living together ; we always parted for the sake of the gospel of Christ, in pure love, and in the same love we always met again. Soon after this time I met with several great losses by -eea and land, and myself and my little daughter were dangerously sick, so that our recovery seemed doubt- ful ; yet, through the mercy of God, we both recovered, for which I j)raise his name. After some stay at home, I was again moved in the love of Christ, to visit the general meetings of Duck-r creek and Salem, At Duck-creek we had a large and satisfactory meeting. From Duck-creek I appointed a meeting at George's-creek, which Mas a good meeting. The nejct iporning we went over to Elsinburgh, and s© THE JOURNAL OT THOMAS CHALKLEY. lOl «n to Cohansie, \^'here I met with two of my fellow la- bourers in the work of Christ, Thomas Lightf; ot, and Benjamin Kid. We had a meeting together at Cohan- sie, in which :he people were exliorted to sobriety and just dealing. The contrary of both is too obvious at such times as fairs ; there being divers of the fair people theie as well as others, the nature of Christ's work in the heart, was somewhat spoken to, but not so open a meet- ing as some others, the people thereaway being too slack and dull as to religion. Next day we had a meeting at Alioway's-creek, where we all three had some pretty close work ; and from thence we went to the general meeting at Salem which was larger than common, on ac- count of the said friend Benjamin Kid's being there : who, in the love of Christ, came from England to visit the churches in this part of the world. There were so many friends and others here at this time, that some houses were so filled, that there was not room for all that came to lodge there. After this meeting I returned home, and in a few days went into Chester county, and travelled about a htindred miles ; and when I came home I under- stood that some for want of a true sense of the work of Christ had been censuring me for my much travelling and hard labour in the work of the ministry of the gospel of Christ ; though, by the same rule of judging, the apos- tles of Christ, and our ancient friends, who travelled much, cannot escape their censure ; for in all my trav- els, I have had an especial regard to the unity of the breth- ren, and never knowingly went abroad vi^ithout it : but let this caution be recorded for the instruction of all., such forward judges; let them be careful of judging Christ's servants, lest their words become their burden : Judge not that ye be not judged (saith our great Lord) for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged. Soon after my return from Chester county, I was at a marriage at Abington, whjch was one of the most solemn I have been at ; and on the 15th of the third month, at the youth's meeting at Germantown, to my great satis- faction ; and on the 23d of the same month, ^ I went to the general meeting of ministers and elders at Burlington ; 102 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. at which meeting several things relating to the gospel ministry, were declared ; as its being a free, a clear, and a powerful ministry, reaching to the conscience, and con- vincing of the danger of continuing in sin : and divine charity was much recommended, without which, all ministry is but as sounding brass. Sec. From this meet- ing I went, with Walter Herbert, into Bucks-county, and at Ncshaminy we had an open, tender meeting. From thence I went to Buckingham, and was at a marriage of a son and daughter-in-law of Thomas Canby's. The meeting was large, and friends well satisfied ; and it was obsejvable, though I was very hoarse, through a cold I had taken, and could hardly speak in common conversa- tion, yet it was much taken away in my ministry, so that I was carried through the service to our admiration, for which I was truly thankful. After this meeting I return- ed home with true satisfaction, such as is much more valuable than silver and gold, two mighty idols in the world. After a little stay at home I went on a first day to North- Wales, or Gwinnedd, where was a pretty large meeting, many young people being there, to whom I was concerned to shew, that Christ is the way by which wc must come into the true church, through regeneration, and that all who invent other ways are thieves and robbers. I rode twenty-five miles that day, and the next day came to Frankfort, and was at the burial of an ancient friend, Joan Orpwood, at which our friend John Salkeld was, with whom I was the next day at Philadelphia, at our third-day meeting, which was a good meeting. On the 4th day of the fourth month, intending soon to take a journey to Long-Island, I thought it a proper time to alter my will, as I had kept one by me for divers years before, considering the uncertainty of life. On the fifth of the fourth month I went to Merion to visit an ancient friend, John Roberts; who was sick near unto death, where I again met with John Salkeld. The friend expressed his satisfaction in this visit, and we had a re- wdvd of peace in the exercise of that christian duty of vis- iting the sick, which is recommended by the apostle to THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY* iQ3 the primitive churches of Christ. After we had been some time with our said sick friend, we went to the meet- ing which had been appointed for us several days before, and was large and satisfactory : for which favourable vis- itation we blessed the great name of the Almighty, and parted tenderly in christian love and good- will. The friend we went to visit, died the next day. He was a helper of the poor, and a maker of peace in the neighbour- hood : of such, Christ said, Blessed are the peace- mak- ers, for they shall be called the children of God. On the 10th of the fourth month, 1724, I had a con- cern to write the following epistle to friends in the island ©f Barbadoes. *' Frankfort, lOth of 4th Month, 1724^. *.* Dear Friends, "In the tender love of God, our heavenly Father, and of our saviour Jesus Christ, do I, your brother, at this time greet you, and wish you health and salvation. Understanding by a concerned friend, that of late sev- eral of our friends are taken away from you by death, a concern came on me to put you in remembrance of your latter end, and of the cause of Christ ; and also of the prosperity of his blessed light and truth in your (in that respect poor, though in some others, rich and luxurious) island : the posterity of many that have been taken away there, as well as in divers others places, having gone astray ; and that it may not be so with those who are left behind, let a weighty concern come upon you. Oh! dear friends ! let your practices and expressions manifest to the rising generation, that the welfare of their souls, more than of their bodies, is at heart with you ; and do not in- dulge them in that which you in yourselves were con- vinced to be of an evil tendency, when your hearts were first reached by the power of truth. How many youths have been lost, through the looseness of the example of their elders, and through an undue indulgence of them in vanity, folly, pride, and idleness ! woful experience 104 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. doth but too much declare that they are many : Oh ! they are many indeed, who have been lost by so doing ! where- fore, dear friends, clear yourselves of your children ; and, if they will obstinately go astray, faithfully bear your tes- timony against them, in life, doctrine, or expressions and conversation, which ^\dll witness for you when you are dead and gone, and your heads laid in the silent grave. Thus will your youth, through the blessing of God, and your endeavours, come up in your places, or at least 3'ou will be clear, and their blood will be upon their own heads. A pure, strict watch is required of you in con- versation, in all those relations. First, that God may be glorified. Secondly, that your childi'en may be exam- pled. Thirdly, that your neighbours may be edified, or built up in pure religion. And, fourthly, that you may die in peace with him that created you and died for you ; remembering the blessed doctrine of Christ Jesus, Let your light so shine before men, tliat others seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven^ And again ; You are as a city set on a hill, which cannot be hid. And as you thus train up your children in the way which they should go, when they are young, you may have reason to hope they will not depart from it when they are old ; for many have been con\'inced of the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ, through the good conver- sation of his followers. And how can Ave expect to die well, if we do not live well ? Or can we expect the an» swer of " Well done," if we are not in the practice of doing well ? And I do desire and earnestly exhort friends to read the holy scriptures, and wait to feel the power from which they sprung, through the holy writers ; and also to teach them to their children. And, dear friends, let me prevail with you in the love of God, and his dear Son, to keep close to your meetings for the worship of Al- mighty God, and for die well ordering of your society ; and do it in the meek spirit, for that is of great price with the Lord ; and when in your meetings, get into a relig- ious exercise, and lively concern for God's glory, and your soul's peace and prosperity. I pray the holy Lord THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. lOjP of sabbath, to open your hearts to him in the reading of this epistle, ai mine is open to you, my beloved friends, that you and I may be edified, though outwardly sepa- rated, as we were when together ; and if we should never meet more in this world, that we may meet in the king- dom of God, where we may never part more. Amen. Hallelujah, saith my soul ! I desire this may be copied and read at the close of one of each of your particular meetings, and if it could be readily, in every family of friends ; to all whom is my very dear love in Jesus Christ, whose servant I am, and hope to be to the end, and I am an entire lover of souls, and a well wisher of Sion's prosperity. T. CHALKLEY." On the 11th of the fourth month, I left home on a journey to Long- Island, in order to visit friends' meet- ings, and also to negociate some business I had there ; the first meeting I had was at Burlington, where I had occasion to advise them to keep in remembrance of that ancient love which first united our society together, and in which, in times of cruel persecution, some freely offered to suffer the imprisonment of their bodies to obtain the liberty of their friends in confinement. From thence we travelled to Amboy, and so over to Staten- Island. The day being very hot, and the evening cold, I got a severe cold, which I did not get clear of for about two weeks, notwithstanding which, I went to meetings, though ill in body. The first meeting I had on Long-Island, was at Flushing, on a first day : a comfortable meeting it was ! in which was closely pressed, the taking up the cross of Christ, by all who desire to be his disciples, and that without it we could not be true christians. From Flush- ing we went to Musketto-cove, and had a meeting there on third day, which was large, and to general satisfaction, and some were there that were newly convinced. I see- ing the openness of the meeting, advised friends to build a meeting-house there, n'hich they approved of. On^ V 106 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. fourth day we had a meeting at Westbury, and fifth day at Cow-Neck. From Cow- Neck I went to the south side of the island, and had a meeting at captain Hicks'. The neighbours who were not of our societ}-, came generally to this meeting, and they were pressingly exhorted to come to Christ, and the way opened unto them. It was a good time, and I thought a time of love to us all ; thouarh before the meeting I was exceedingly shut up in myself, so that the meeting was very beneficial to me, among the rest, to see how the Lord could work by his power, and unlock the soul, as in a moment, as he did for my poor soul at times. Oil ! may I, with Christ's followers and ministers, ever depend upon him, is my petition I From Rockway (for so is the place called) we went to Westbury, and had a very large meeting on a first day ; / and, as I was informed, some were convinced there that day. From hence I went to a place called Foster's Meadows, where we had a large meeting in one Dusen- btiry's barn. After this I went over to the main land, and had a meeting at a place called Westchester. From thence we went to Flushing, and had a large meeting on a fifth day of the week, in which the right training up of children, and careful education of youth, was zealously recommended. From Flushing I went to Huntington, where some were lately convinced of the principle of truth as it is in Christ Jesus, some of whom were excom- municated by the presbyterians, with whom they had formerly joined. We had a pretty large meeting in a friend's barn, where one priest Prime opposed me, as he also had my friend Benjamin Kid, some time before, of which, by letter, I gave an account to my dear friends Thomas Lightfoot, and Benjamin Kid, desiring them (in their return from New-England), to have an evening- meeting there. The grounds of this priest's cavilling, or dispute was, that I had declared, that it is the light of Christ, or his spirit, which convinceth the world of sin, and not a natural light, or the light of a natural conscience ; from whence he took occasion to charge me with deny- ing a natural conscience, the falsehood of which I charged upon him before the auditory, and desired him, if he had THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 107" any thing on his mind, to write it to me, to which I promised to return him an answer. From Huntington I went to the general meeting of friends held at Newtown, which was so large that the meeting-house could not contain the people, and the weather being extreme hot, the people without doors were some of them uneasy, and went to and fro ; but those that were in the house, and so near that they could hear, were very attentive, and as far as I could learn, generally satisfied. Our next meecing was at New- York, which was the quietest meeting I ever had there ; and those few friends at New- York, and some that were there from Long- Island, parted with us in the love of Christ, and in the fellowship of his blessed gospel; and so I travelled homewards, having good satisfaction in visit- ing my friends ; and when I came home, found my deai' wife and children in health, for which I bless God. After this journey I kept to meetings at and about home as usual, and was at the fifth day meeting in Phil- adelphia, when Samuel Preston was married to M ir- garet Langdale (the widow of my dear friend and fellow traveller Josiah Langdale). The meeting was large, and the parable of the virgins, and the bridegroom's coming at midnight, was opened, with an exhortation to the peo- ple to be ready against that hour, and that they should take care to have the holy oil of divine grace in their hearts. After this meeting I had some affairs which called me into Chester- county, and on the road my horse gave a sudden and violent start out of the path, and threw me down, and before I could get up again, he struck my face, and trod on my right eye with his foot, being new- ly shod, which stunned me for the present ; but as soon as I opened that eye which was unhurt, I perceived that I lay on my back, under my horse's belly, with my head between his fore feet. He stood still and I got on my hands and knees, the blood streaming out of my nose and right eye, and while I was bleeding, a man and wom- an came by ; and staid till I was done bleeding, and saw me mounted on my horse again. I went forward, leS THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. being about two miles from the house I intended to go to, and after riding about a mile, I met with a friend that knev/ me, and was surprised to see me so bloody, and went with me to Randal Mayling's (a faithful, honest friend, who was upwards of eighty years of age, and had suffered much for his profession of the truth in his young- er years) where several tender hearted, motherly women dressed my wounded eye. I was truly thankful to the Lord for his providence towards me in this deliverance, among many others, which he in his goodness hath vouch- safed to me. I stayed at the friend's house three nights and mended apace, and the friend accompanied me to my house at Frankfort, where my loving wife, with some surprise, received me very affectionately ; and through her care and continual application I recovered so that I could see pretty well with spectacles, which I was obliged to use for some months. Such accidents plainly shew us the necessity of preparing for sudden death, as we know not when, or how we may go off the stage of this life. On the 25th of the lifih month I received a letter fronni a person in the county of Burlington, relating to water- baptism, to which I .made answer as follows : " Thy lines I received last night, in the perusing of which, there was a christian love in my heart towards thee, though unknown by face, and I have much free- dom of mind to answer thine, according to thy request, and my small abilit} , First, then, we are near in senti, ments to each other in the grand christian principle of saving religion, which is the. work of the holy spirit of Christ upon the soul, for that is the baptism which is Christ's, and is truly saving, and absolutely necessary -to salvation ; Christ's baptism being but one which is with the Holy Ghost, and with spiritual fire or water ; John's being the element, or figure ; and Christ's being the spir- it, power, and divine substance, and is to be with the church of Christ, and with his true ministers to the end of the world. Secondly, in answer to thy query. Was water-baptism (that is, the element) not commanded by ThE JOURNAL OT THOMAS CHALKLEY, 109. Christ himself, in Mat. xxviii. 19 ? I answer, I believe not. My reason is this, because the Holy Ghost, or spirit, is mentioned in the text, or that command, in ex- press words, and water is not ; and ther'efore we omit going into outward water, and for other reasons as fol- loweth. Thirdly, That water-baptism, which was John's, "Was practised by the apostles, is true ; but it was not practised by Christ, who, no doubt, would have done it if it had been absolutely necessary; for he disdained not to wash his disciples feet, a much more despicable office than that of the baptismal ceremony : so because Christ did not himself practise it, nor, as we conceive, com- manded us to go into material water, we therefore for- bear it. Fourthly, That the apostles did baptize with water, we deny not ; and that they were circumcised, and did circumcise, is also undeniable. Now, must we cir- cumcise because the apostles did, and were themselves circumcised ? consider that carefully, and I hope that will give thee some sight or light into, or concerning the dispensation of water- baptism, which was John's baptism, and was glorious in its day and dispensation, in pointing at Christ's baptism, until it came, which was the sub- stance, and was with spiritual fire, and spiritual water, and will continue for ever. To Christ, and his baptism, I heartily direct thee for further instruction, in whom is light, and that light is the life of men, or life, and that life the light of men. And further, I would write a little of my own thoughts concerning water-baptism, and on some texts of scrip- ture, being Christ's own words, viz. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved and he that believeth not, shall be damned, or condemned, Mark xvi. 16. Now this must needs be understood of the spirit's baptism ; for it would be absurd to say, or believe, that all who are baptized with the element water, are saved, or all who are not baptized with water are damned ; therefore it is the spirit's baptism, that all professing Christianity ought to come unto, to witness salvation. Again, Christ says, except a man be born of water, and of the spirit, he can- not enter into the kingdom of God, or of Heaven, Mat. 110 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLtY. iii. 5. This divers will have to be a mixture of the ele- ment water, and of the spirit; but Christ says, It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you. they are spirit, and they are life, JoJm vi. 63. And that which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit, is spirit, John'in. 6. According to ^hich doctrine, 1 have faith to believe, that outward, fleshly, or elementary water-bap- tism, profits little or nothing to the soul. Again, why should the water in that place be understood of the ele- ment, any more than the fire in the other, viz. To be baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, since Christ said. My words they are spirit and life. Remember the well of water that springs up to eternal life in the believ- ers : remember the water that Christ gave, whosoever drank of it was never to thirst more. This is all spiritual, which the carnal mind cannot comprehend or enjoy, but is witnessed by the spiritual man. And further, if we con- sider what confusion there is in the world about this water- baptism, it may wc^ll put a tender seeking soul upon fur- ther search into the nature of holy, saving baptism. The papists ha\ e one way ; the lutherans and calvanists anoth- er; the baptists, they have another ; and all diflfer so wide- ly, that, generally speaking, they will not worship togeth- er ; neither are they ever like to be reconciled, except they come to the holy spirit and divine power of Jesus, the good saviour and precious guide of souls. That saying of his hath often been a comfort to me in deep exercises and distresses of mind, when he said to his disciples. It is ex])edient for you that I go away ; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come ; but if I go away, I will pray to the Father, and he will send the Comforter, the spirit of truth, in my name, and when he is come, he shall lead you, and guide you into all truth ; he shall take of mine, and give it unto you, and shall brhig all things to your remembrance, th.it I have spoken unto you. And that he was to convince the world of sin ; and that he shall abide with you for ever. May the pre- cious gift of the spirit be given to thee, and to all true seekers of God, his Christ and kuigdom, is my real de- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. IH sire, and humble prayer to the Most High. [See the four evangelists for this promise, they not vvording it alike]. Havin,^ answered the most of thy letter, I would add a few lines more, viz. I have known some who could not be satisfied with words about this point ot baptism with water, until Christ had by his spirit given them satisfaction in themselves ; and as thou comes more and more into close communion with his grace and spirit in thy own soul, I hope thou also wilt have better satisfac- tion than that of words only. I have known some of the peo- ple called baptists, who have been convinced of the truth, according to our way and principle, to whom all the writing, and disputing, and reading, and preaching about this point, could never give ample satisfaction, until they had it inwardly and immediatel}- from Christ, manifested to them by his holy spirit in their hearts, as aforesaid. Though I would not be understood to be against satisfy- ing one another as much as lieth in our power, and as we find openness in the love of God and Christ. And fur- ther, I never understood that any of our society were ab- solutely against such practising of it, who could see no further, or did really think in their conscience, it was their duty so to do : but we believe, that we see beyond the figure or shadow, and are come to the substance, for the reasons mentioned, and many more which might be given. Several treatises have been written upon this subject, one of which is very full (before we were a peo- ple) by William Dell, a wise and learned man, and one who had a large sense of the power of God : and among us Barclay's Apology, and a treatise by John Gratton, who was a baptist preacher, and one by Joseph Pike : and also here is a little book of Thomas Upsher's (a bap- tist pFeacher before he came to join with us) which I send thee, with whom I was well acquainted, as also with those men who subscribed it. If thou applies thyself to Richard Smith, of Burlington, he is as likely as any I know to help thee to those books, all which are larger on the subject, and have given satisfaction to thousands about it : though some, as I have said, could never be 112 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. satisfied with words. In reading tlie latter jiart of thy letter I was tenderly affected, and my prayers to the Al- mighty were, that he would please to direct thee by his power and spirit, and the grace of his dear Son, who hath said, He that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast off. Now, tender friend, Christ is the true light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, by which light thou must walk to the kingdom and city of God. He is the door into the true sheep-fold : he is the truth, in whom thou must believe : he is the divine life and light of the soul : he is the true christian's all in all. And, as the kingdom is within (as said Christ) so the king is within, and without also. He is God, omnipo- tent, omniscient, omnipresent, the immortal Jehovah, and is God over all, blessed for ever. And, as a servant of his, I recommend thee, with my own soul, unto him for preservation and divine direction ; for it is the great work of Christ's true ministers and servants, to direct the seeking,' travelling souls, to him ; to whom with the Father, and the eternal spirit, be glory, now and ever- more. Amen. From thy assured friend in Christ, T. CHALKLEY." The person to whom I wrote this letter, some time after informed me, it gave him great satisfaction. After I had stayed at home some time, and pretty v/ell recovered of the hurt I had by my fall, 1 visited some meetings about home, as Philadelphia, Abington, and German town. In several of those meetings I was con- cerned to exhort friends, as our meetings and worship "Was, in this province of Pennsylvania, a kind of national worship, to beware that they did not indulge themselves in the sins of the nations, but to be careful to keep to the holy, self-denying life of Jesus. On the 5th of the 6th month, between the hours of nine and ten at night, there was an earthquake, which divers people were very sensible of ; and about this time THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 113 many were taken off with a violent fever ; and I was con- cerned in several meetings to put the people in mind of their mortality, and shortness of time here ; and also of the uncertainty of it, and of the necessity of speedy prep- aration for their final change and future well-being. In the aforesaid month I was at our youth's meeting in Phil- adelphia, where I was concerned to advise parents to do justly to their children, in the divers relations of a child's state ; to be just in correction, and to be sure to give them learning, and train them up in reading of the holy scriptures, they being able, through faith in Christ, to make us wise to salvation. 1 also was earnest in exhor- tation to the youth, to obey and honour their parents, and to have a care not to be disobedient to their fathers and mothers, I had a concern also to remind that large con- gregation, that the Almighty had stretched out his arm of power, with his rod, and had given the people of this land three strokes therewith, as a gentle admonition towards heart-preparation, to meet him, and to prepare for their latter end, or final dissolution : which were first, a sick- ness, or pestilential fever, which carried off many of the people. Secondly, an earthquake, of which divers in town and country were very sensible. Thirdly, a ter- rible whirlwind, such as we never before heard of in this land, that I remember. They were admonished to take particular and special notice of those gentle strokes of the divine hand, for if he pleased, he could as soon take away many by sickness, as a few, and if he pleased could have made us a desolation, as well as the country about mount ^tna, or Port- Royal, in Jamaica, not very far from us ; and he could also blow us away with a whirl- wind of his wrath, and could as easily have blown down all our city, as those few houses in the country. Next day after this meeting I went with John Rodman to the quarterly general meeting of worship in the county of Chester, which was large and satisfactory. The 25th of the sixth month I was at the burial of the wife of Richard Wain, a virtuous and good woman. Some of her last words were, *' Some men's sins go be- tbre-hand to judgment, and some follow after them ; and 114 TftE JOCRN'AL OF THOil-U^ CHALKLJEY. tliat her sins were gone before, which was a great com- fort to her, now she was going to leave the world." It ivds a large meeting, and a seasonable opportnnity that we had at the funeral, llie people were called upon to work, while it was called to-day, because, as our Saviour s'aid, the night cometh, wherein no man can work. In this and the Ibregoing year, I met with various tri- als and exercises : as first, great inward poverty and want. Secondly, great losses in outward affairs. And thirdly, the evil spirits of divers stirred up against me, to report falsehoods concerning me, with many other sore exer- cises both inward and outward. As to the first, I had often been tried that way, and foimd b}' experience, that I must wait upon God m} Saviour for fresh and renew- ed visitations from above ; in which exercise, I had al- ways, in the Lord's time, comfort from him, as by the same exercise I had now the same comfort also ; but I thought it very long, and the enemy did greatly endeav- our to break in upon my patience now more than usual : but ni} heart still depended in faith and hope upon the Lord, ni} Redeemer and Saviour, and in his time he was pleased to help me, blessed be his holy arm and power for ever ! Many blessed saints and servants of Jesus were brought to my mind, who were in the like condition, so that I had a secret joy in their company (who met with the like in their travels to the holy city). Secondly, as to my outward losses, I thought with myself, peradven- ture it might be best for me : and I remembered that many, through the increase of outward riches, were exceeding- ly hurt as to their inward state ; and though I (or any good man) might be concerned for our children, to get and leave something for them, yet I plainly saw, that gen- erally speaking, much riches doth much hurt to youth. This was a melancholly observation that I had made in my life and travels, and I see at this day, that it is an miiversal distemper (a very few excepted) ; wherefore I cried mightily to God that he would give to me and mine, the gift of his grace and holy spirit, whatever our circumstances might be in the world. In this also I saw that patience was an excellent virtue, and that the meek THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 11^ had the best inheritance of the earth, if they had ever so little of it ; and that true happiness did not consist in earthly things, which my experience had largely taught me. And thirdly, as to the base and evil treatment 1 met with (which was more than I had ever met with in all my life before) great endeavours were used to lessen my re]:)utation, as a man, and a christian ; all which proved false and fruitless, and in due time my innocence was made manifest ; and I considered that they could not use me worse than they had done my Lord and Master, and that the devil was angry with any who endeavoured to dethrone him and pull down his kingdom, at the foun- dation of which, through the help of my Master, I had many a stroke or blow, with such weapons as he was pleased to furnish me withal. The last of the sixth month, and the 1st of the seventh month, was the quarterly and youth's meeting at Bur- lington, at both of which, I was. At the quarterly meet- ing I was concerned to open to that meeting, how all along the church of God was governed by his spirit, in the time of the law, and Moses was an instrument there- in ; and that when it was too hard, and too much work for Moses, he was advised to get the help and assistance of the elders ; and that the same power and spirit of God that was with and upon Moses, was upon the elders who assisted him in the affairs of the church, and con- gregation of the Lord's people ; so that it was governed by God's spirit, and is to be governed by the same still, and not by the will of man, nor according to the will of man, in his corrupt nature. And when Israel went from God's power and spirit, the Lord left them, but at last sent to them his only begotten son, our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; and he was, and ever is, to be governor of his church, through his holy s])irit, which he told his disciples, he would pray the Father, and he should send unto them, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, or Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, and he should abide with them for ever, and should lead and guide them into all truth ; which sweet a d precious promises that he made to them, the true believers do witness to be fulfilled at 116 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET. this day. Glory to his name for ever, he is the wonder- ful Counsellor, mighty Saviour, and Prince of Peace ! of whose peace and government there shall never be an end, and upon whose shoulder the government is to be for ever, for whose power and holy spirit, friends were exhorted to pray and wait, and to be sensible of it in the discipline and government of the church now in this gospel day, in which is a brighter manifestation of God's love, through his Son, than in the time of the law. The y(>uth's meeting was also large, and divers testimonies were borne, b} way of exhortation and counsel to the y( uth. They were with much tenderness advised to ta]7 what he shall, or is to speak, at such a time or place, as he may see meet ; but that studying or writing sermons, and afterwards preaching, or rather reading them to the people, was, or is, the practice of the true minister of Jesus, our great Lord and Master, is denied ; of which, I do believe, thou hast a real sense. I shall impart to thee something of my own experi- ence for thy edification in this great work, viz. As in the work of conversion, or re2:eneration, there is a growth and increase from the state of a child to that of a man in Christ, so in the work of the ministry, or preaching the gospel, there is also a growth from a babe to an able minister, in all which the power and grace of the Holy Spirit nmst be our guide, our help, and support, keeping close to which we shall increase in divine wisdom and sound judgment, and our hearts and understandings will be more and more opened and enlarged. The apostle Paul said, " When I was a child, I spake as a child, un- derstood as a child, and thought as a child ;" and yet he was an excellent child of God, and minister of Christ, and as he grew in his gift, and Christ's grace, he became a wonderful serviceable instrument in the hand of God. Now a child's state in the ministry is too much overlook- ed by niany, some thinking to be men as soon as they are brought forth into the ministry ; and, according to my observation, divers have been at a loss, and some quite lost, for want of a patient continuing in well-doing, and not waiting to feel a growth and increase from above, have gone on in their own strength and will, per- haps against the advice and instruction of a sound and honest Aquila and Priscilla, and have been hurt ; and some, who had received a gift, have had that same gift taken from them, even by the Lord, who gave it them. As I take it, a true minister of Christ, is to take no thought what to say, but it will be given him in the same hour that which he should speak to the people, (that is, in a general way) and if it is not given from above, I believe he or she ought to be silent ; for they receive freely, if they do receive any thing from Christ, and so they ought freely to administer ; and where little is given,- little is re- 128 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. quired, all which is plain from Christ's own words in the New Testament ; and Christ's cross is to be taken up by his ministers in their preaching, as well as in their con- versation. It is a practice which the holy scriptures have not acquainted us with, that the ministers of Christ should take a verse, or a line, out of the holy scriptures, and write, or study, beforehand, a discourse on it, and preach it, or rather read it, to the people. The hoiy men of old (as we read both in the Old and New Testament), spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and by it they were gifted for the convincing, converting, and reform- ing tiie world, and for comforting and edif) ing of the saints, quite contrary to the latter practice of modern reading divines, who dispute, write, and preach, against the immediate and divine revelation of the spirit of Christ, and therefore can not be of his ministers, but must be the ministers of antichrist, and ministers of the letter, and not of the spirit of Christ, or of his gospel. And where the apostle says, " When I was a child, I spake as a child," I take him to point at the being brought forth newly into the work of the ministry, as well as the work of conversion, and that he useth those expressions by way of comparison, and therefore I compare it thus : a child when it first begins or ventures to speak, he speaks but a few words, and those stammering sometimes, and its judgment is weak, and must be put upon speaking by his father over and over, if he be a backward child ; otherwise, if he be for- ward, and speaks too much, he is curbed by a wise fa- ther : and thus, according to my observation, it hath pleased our heavenly Father to histruct his children in the ministry, and as a child in Christ, I would speak a little of my experience unto the child, or children of God. When I first felt a necessity on me to preach the gospel, I had but a few sentences to deliver, in great fear and tenderness, with some trembling, with which my breth- ren were generally satisfied and edified ; and after some time I felt a concern to preach the gospel in other coun- tries, and to other nations, than that in which I was born, THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 129 which to me was a very great cross ; but feeling the wo of the Lord to follow me in not giving up to it, I in some time took that cross up, for Christ's sake and the gos- pel's: and in taking it up, I experienced the truth of the apostle's doctrine, that " the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believ- eth." Rom, i. 16. Thus, through a continual labour and spiritual travel, I witnessed a growth in experience, and an enlargement in expressions and heavenly doctrine; and my heart was mightily enlarged to run the ways of God's commandments, and divers were convinced, and some, I hope, thoroughly converted, and many comfort- ed, and God, through the ministry of his dear Son, glori- fied, who is thereof only worthy for ever. In all which I have nothing to boast of nor glory in, saving in the cross of Christ ; for what is Paul, or Apol- los, or Cephas but an instrument? (I would not be under- stood to compare with those apostles, but to endeavour to follow them as they followed Christ). Christ is all in all : he is the great teacher of teachers, and the highest schoolmaster of all : and he says, " He that will be my disciple, must first deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." We do not find any where in the New Testament, that Christ's ministers or messengers were only to speak or preach to one meeting of people, or that they were called or hired by men ; for then it would have been necessary that man should pay them ; but Christ says, " Freely you have received, freely give ; and go forth," &c. iI/«>. xxviii. 19, 20. And, my friend, I find to this day, that it is safe for me when I am ministering to the people ; when the spring of divine life and power, from which sound truths and edi- fying matter springs and flows into the heart or under- standing, abates or stops, to stop with it, and sit down, and not to arise, or speak publicly to the people, without some spiritual impulse or moving, and openings. I would have this taken no otherwise, but as one friend and brother opening his state and condition to another for edification, and the strengthening each other in Christ. s 130 THE JOURNAL 07 THOMAS CHALKLEY. And, as I fear lest I should exceed the bounds of a let- ter, therefore shall conclude thy real friend in Jesus Christ, T. CHALKLEY." The 25th of the twelfth month I was at the burial of the wife of Randal Si^ikenian. It being our tifth day meeting, divers sober people were there not of our per- suasion and I \vi s drawn forth to speak to the people of the death ot Christ and his merits, and to shew them that there is no mei it in the works of man, as he is man, or in a formal righteousness or holiness. In our yearly meeting at Burlington, it was agreed that the families of friends should be visited, and soon after our monthly meeting appoini.ed me, with other friends, to visit the families of friends of uur meeting ; in which visitation, many were comforted and edified, Ijoth youth and aged ; and Ave could truly say, tliat the power and grace of God, and the sweet love of Chris , accompanied us from house to house, to ou; mutiiai comibrt ; and we were so extraordinarily opened and guided to speak to the states of the people in their families, that were un- known and strangers to us, that sometimes some of rliLiTi were ready to diink that we sj)oke by information, m hen in truth we were clear of any such thing, and only spoke from what was immediately given to us, without any in- formation from man or woman; which to us was some- times very wonderful, and caused us to praise the great name of the Lord. In the first month, the general meeting, at Philadelphia, was a solid good meetiiig, and ended in a sense of grace and truth, which comes b} Jesus Christ . Next day, being our week-day meeting, our dear friends, Elizabeth Levis and Jane Fenn, took leave of us, they intending for the island of Barbadoes ; and it was such a parting-meeting that will not soon be forgotten by some of us then pres- ent.. After this meeting, I ^^ cnt to Bu'lington, to visit one that was sick, and under some ti-ouble of mind for going •THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, 131 astray, and greatly desired to come into the right way, with whom I had a good seasonable meeting, to her comfort, and my own satisfaction. Upon this visit I would remark, that it is a great pity, that youth, when in health and strength, should put off the work of their sali- vation, and forget the Most High, till either sickness or death overtake them. And then. Oh ! the bitter piercing cries and groans, and terrible agonies the soul is in, which, by timely repentance, and amendment of life, might be avoided. I was afterwards at meetings at Philadelphia, Merion, Germantown, &c. and had some service and satisfaction therein. And on the second of the second month, the friend whom I visited, as above, was buried, and the re- lations of the deceased sent for me to the burial. The person being well-beloved^ there was a large appearance of peo[)le of clivers persuasions, and we hud an opportu- nity at this funeral to exhort the people to live so as that they might die well ; and that the way to die in the favour of God, was to live in his fear ; and charity to those who dissent from one another was pressingly recommended from the apostle's words, that, " If we had faith to re- move mountains, and to give all our goods to the poor, and our bodies to be burned, yet if we wanted charity, we were but like sounding brass, and a tinkling cym- bal." 1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2, 3. And also our belief of the 'doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was asserted, in contradiction to that gross calumny cast on our society of denying it. The latter end of the second month, i was at a mar- riage at Horsham, at which was present William Keith, our governor, and I was concerned to speak of the end of that great ordinance, and of the happiness of those mar- ried persons who fulfil the covenants they make in mar- riage, and what strength and comfort the man is to the woman, and the woman to the man, \vhen they keep their covenants, and that they are the contrary when they break them : and I also opened the methods prescribed by our discipline, to be observed in marriages, and our care to prevent any clandestine marriages amongst us. 132 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. After this meeting, I returned home, without going to the marriage dinner, as I generally avoided such enter- tainments as much as I could, having no life in, or liking to them, being sensible that great companies and prepara- tions at weddings were growing inconveniences among lis, the which I was conscientiously concerned to dis- courage. And a few da} s after my return home, at our meeting at Frankfort, I was concerned particularly to exhort friends to keep to plainness in language, dress, &.c. according to the examples given us in the holy scrip- tures, particularly that of Daniel and his companions ; and to caution against vain and indecent fashions, which, with concern, I have observed to prevail too much among some who make profession Avith us. In this second month I went to the yearly meeting of friends at Salem, and by the way had two meetings at Woodberry-creek. At Salem we had a large meeting, and our gracious Lord was with us, to the bowing many hearts before him, and many testimonies were given of the goodness, love, mercy, and grace of God, and his dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. From Salem wc trav- elled to AUoway's creek and Cohansie, and from thence to Elsinburgh, and ferried over the river Delaware, with our horses, to George's-creek, and had meetings at all those places. At George's-creek, one, not a friend, came to me after meeting, and said, he thanked me for my ad- vice and counsel, and seemed heartily affected with the doctrine of Christ. From George's-creek we travelled to Nottingham, and had a large meeting on a first day, and another, very large, on the second day, where were many people of divers persuasions. The house could not con- tain us, so that we met in an orchard. A solid meeting it was ! wherein the mighty power of the Creator was declared of, as also the divinity of Christ, and his man- hood, and the people were exhorted to be careful of forming any personal ideas of the Almighty ; for the holy scriptures do plainly manifest, that God is a won- derful, infinite, eternal spirit, and therefore is to be wor- shipped in spirit and in truth, and outward representations of the Lord Jehovah borders too much on idolatry. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 133 Pretty much was delivered on that head ; and I was told, after meeting, that diAers papists were there, though I knew nothing of it. From Nottingham I went to New- castle, had a meeting there, and then visited a sick friend, with which he expressed much satisfaction ; and then went on to the Center, Kennet, and Marlborough, and so to the monthly meeting at New-Garden, where we had a large open meeting, wherein was sliewn, that those \\'ho meddled with our discipline, in the will, nature, spirit, and wisdom of man only, could do but little service, and that our discipline, as also our worship and ministry, ought to be pciformed in the wisdom and power of God, through the grace and spirit of Christ. From New- Garden, we went to Birmingham, had a large meeting, and I was much draAvn forth to the youth, of whom many were there. From Birmingham we went to the quarterly meeting for discipline and worship at Concord, in Ches- ter county, which was lai'ger than I had ever seen there before. In the quarterly meeting of discipline, friends were exhorted to keep to the cross of Christ, and to speak to matters in the fear of God, and to avoid and shun as much as in them lay, self-will, humour, pride, and passion ; shewing that the rough, crooked, unhewn, un- polished nature of man, could never work the righteous- ness of God, and is contrary to the meek, self-denying life of Jesus. John Salkeld and Jacob Howell then sig- nified that they were going to visit friends on Long-Island and Rhode- Island, the sense of the call, labour, and work of the ministry of the gospel, and of the love of Christ, in the freeness of it, to mankind, took some good hold on divers in that meeting, and the great name of God, and his dear Son, through the holy spirit, was glorified. From this meeting I came home (having been out on this journey near three weeks, at twenty meetings, and travelled more than two hundred miles) and found my wife and children in health, and we rejoiced to see each other ; but my rejoicing was in fear, even almost to trembling, lest I should be too much lifted up, when things were agreeable to n\c. 134. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. After my return home, I went to seAeral neighbouring meetings, and on a filili da} was at Philadeli)hia, at the marriage ofRiehard Sniith and Elizabeth Powelh The meeting was large, and the marriage solemnly celebrat- ed, and'the people were earnestly entreated to love Christ above all, and 'o manifest that love by keeping his com- m\'ho. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CMALKLEY. 153 throug-h sickness and lameness, could not g-et out for a loiig time. Next day, Samuel Bowne being with me, we went to visit a young woman that was weak in body, but lay in a comfortable frame of mind ; she was t-iank- ful for our visit, and said the visits of her friends were comfortable to her. Next day, being- the fourth day of the week, we had a meeting- at the widow Taylor's, who desired it on account of her father, who was in the 88th year of his age, and so infirm, that he could not get to meetings ; he was very clear in his understanding and memory, and was much refreshed wiih this meeting, as were divers of us also. Next day we had a meeting at Flushing, which was large and open, and the grace and power of Christ was ^\ ith us in the ministration of the gospel. After this meeting, we had an eveniiig meeting with our ancient friend Joseph Thorne, who by reason of his age and infirmity could not go abroad as far as to the meeting : the house was crowded with his neighbours and friends, and we had a solid, good time together. While at Flushing, I went to visit a young woman who was a most dismal spectacle to behold, an object of great pity : her face, hand, and foot, being much eaten away by the king's evil ; our prayers were, that now in her great misery, the Almighty would be pleased to support her soul by his grace and spirit, and sanctify her afflictions to her, that it might work for her a more exceeding weight of glory in that world which is to come. The next first day we had a larg* meeting at Flushing, where- in many weighty truths were opened to the satisfaction and edification of the auditory, and in the evening we had a meeting with the wife of Matthew Farringion, who was too weakly to go abroad ; the neighbours came in, and we had a seasonable opportunit^•. The nc xt tliird day was the youth's meeting at Flushing, in which we were concerned to exhort them to (obedience to God and iheir parents, and to follow their parents as they fol- low Christ ; for where any leave Chrisr, there we are to leave their example, though they were our fathers or mothers ; and the right honouring of our parents was set forth, and they exhorted not to despise the day of small 154 THK JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAT.KLr.Y. things, and the happy state of the obedient, and the un- happy state of the disobedient, and many weiglity truths were dehvered to them, in that meetins^, by several ex- perienced friends. From Flushing I went to the week- day meeting at Newtown, and in the evening we had a meetint^ at the M'idow Way's ; the neighbours coming m, we had a good time with them : the parable of the ten virgins was treated of, and the great disadviiutage of wanting the divine oil of grace in our vessels was shewn to them. The next day, being the fifth of the week, we had a very large, satisfactory meeting at the widow Alsop's, at the kills, and from thence with several friends went to New York, where we had three meetings to our edifica- tion, the weather still remaining very cold, but we felt the love of Christ to warm our hearts, and though I think I never felt it colder, I never had my health better. Sev- eral friends accomjjanied us to the boat at New- York ^ the water being open on that side, we took our leave of each other, and put out for the other shore ; but before we got there, we were blocked up in the ice, and it was a considerable time before we could work our way through, but at last got well on Long- Island, where I waited some hours for company, who through some dif- ficulty got on shore ; after which we went to the Narrows throi'gh a storm of wind and snow, but the wind being high we could not get over that night, nor the next day, the ice having come down, and filled the bay : when the tide had drove away the ice, we put out, and got well over, and lodged at the ferry-house on Staten-Island. Next morning we went to the ferry at the Blazing-star, over against Woodbridge, but it was all fastened with ice, and we not daring to venture over it, went to the ferry at Amboy, and got comfortably over, stayed there that night, and next day went to Trenton, and lodged at captain Gould's, who treated me very kindly, I being much tired with travelling. Next morning I went over Delaware river on the ice, as we had also the day before the Rariton, and that da} , being the 5*h of twelfth month, I got safe home to my loving spouse and tender children, THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAI.KLEY. 155» where I found all well and a hearty reception, having travelled six hundred miles, and attended above sixty meetings. After having been at home, at our own meeting at Frankfort, I went to the (quarterly meeting at Philadel- phia, where friends were glad to see me. On the next fifth day I was at the marriage of Thomss Masters, and Hannah Dickinson, where were many sober people, not of our society. Having been lately among friends at Long-Island, and bf: en comiorted in the many opportunities we had togeth- er, it came into my mind to visit them with an epistle at their quarterly meeting at Flushing, which was as foU lovveth. *' Frankfort^ Vlth months 1725. " My dear and well -beloved Friends, " Believing it might be acceptable to you to hear that I was got well to my habitation in such a difficult time of the year as I set out from you in ; and also feeling the sweet influence of the diviae love of the heavenly Father, and his dear So i our Lord Jesus Christ, to arise and spring in my heart, and flowing towards you : It came into my mind to write a few lines to the quar- terly meeting of friends at Flushing, by way of epistle, Well knowing also that many of us are as epistles writ in one another's hearts by the heavenly finger of the Most High ; and those characters of divine love so written will not easily be erased. I could willingly have been at your quarterly meeting, but that I had been so long from my family, that I was much anted therein, and my coming home was seasonable and acceptable, both to them and my friends ; and I humbly thank the Lord, I found all well. Now that which is on my mind to your quarterly meeting, is after this m:inner, concerning the government of the church of Christ, of which church 156 THE JOURNAL OF TIIOJIAS CHALKLEY. he is the holy head and lawgiver ; wherefore wc arc t9 seek and wait for counsel and wisdom from him, in all our monthl} and quarter)}- meetings, for the well order- iiig of our little society, which is growing and increas- ing in the earth, and also in your island, (notwithstand- ing the in\ idious attempts of some men of corrupt minds) and it will grow and increase more and more, as we keep our places, our heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Dear friends, the good order of truth, and government of Clirist in his church, is a great help to us and our children, when carried on in Christ's spirit; [pray observe or mind that] for if our order, and church government, be carried on in the spirit of man, (as he is mere man) though he is never so craft)-, or cunning, it will do more hurt than good in the church of Christ. Christ's spirit must govern Christ's church ; and when, and where that is over all, then, and there Christ's church and king- dom are exalted, of whose kingdom and peace there will be no end ; and happy will all those be, whose end is in it. Moses, that man of God, governed in the Jewish church in the spirit of God, and when he found the work too heavy for him, the Lord put his sj)irit on seventy more, who were help-meets in the government; so that it was God's spirit that governed ; and while that ruled, all was well ; but when they went from that, they fell in- to error and disobedience ; and, at length, the Messiah came, and he governed his own little flock himself ; and when he ascended up on high, he promised his spirit should be with and in his church forever, and be their ho!) guide into all truth, in which he would also comfort thtm: and Christ fulfilled this his promise : for when his disciples waited at Jerusalem to be endued with pow- er from on high, according to the advice of their Lord, they were filled with the giftar»d grace of the holy spirit: and when the brethren and elders met together about the affairs and government of the church, they gave forth rules and orders from that general meeting to the partic- ular ones ; and the Holy Ghost presided amongst them, which they signified to the other meetings, saying, " It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to put yon THE JOURKAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 157 in mind of such and such tilings." And while this Holy Ghost, or spirit, governed in the primitive christian church, ail was well ; God and Christ v^^as glorified, and his church and people edified ; but by goin^- from that, the apostacy came in. Wherefore, dear friends, keep close to the spirit, pow- er, light, and divine life, of Christ Jesus, in your month- ly and quarterly meedngs for the government of the church, as well as in your meetings for the worship of the Almighty ; for if we go from that, he will go from us. And, dear friends, the testimony of Jesus, in the spirit of prophecy, opens in me after this manner, that if our society keep and live up to the spirit and truth of Christ, which hath been manifested to our forefathers, and to us also in this age, the great Lord of all will prosper his work in our hands, and bless both us and our children, as we i'.nd the}' keep therein. And as we have kept close to this our heavenly guide, how hath the Lord sweetly manifested his love and ])ow- er to us in our meeting for the well-ordering of our so- ciety ? which many times hath filled our hearts with pure praises, and holy thanksgiving, to the high and lofty one, who inhabits eternit}', and dwells in the highest heavens, and is light for ever : to whom, with the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, I recom- meiKl you, my dear and well beloved friends, brethren, and sisters, in Christ, with my own soul. T. CHALKLEY." P. S. Since my return, I have been thankful to God for the many favourable visitations and good opportuni- ties he was pleased to grant me with you, and divers sober people on your island, in which there is an open door among many to receive the testimony of truth. I commend your nobility in building good houses, and making room for your sober neighbours to sit with you in your meetings ; this is of good report concerning you, both far and near, and, if I apprehend right, there is more \vork of that kind for you to do, I thought often, when 158 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. among you, and now also, that there would be a large gathering-, if there were a house built at the upper e)id of the Great Plains, not far from Foster's Meadow; but every one m,ay not think or see alike ; though I know some solid friends among you, thought the same with me, about the prospect of a large g.,thering thereaway, if ii house were built ; to which friends, and well-inclined pe(;ple, might come from Hempstead, Rocky-hill, Rock- away, Foster's Meadow, &c. T. C.'» After my service on Long-Island, I had great sweetncsig tipon my spirit forsome time, which sometimes caused my heart to sing for joy ; and yet I rejoiced in a trembling frame of spirit, and had the true sense oi what is written in the holy scriptures, where it is said, " Serve the Lord with fear," (I take it, filial fear) " and rejoice with trembling," for fear of losing that precious sense of the love of God, which is in Christ. On the 20th of the twelfth month, the first day of the week, I was at Abington meeting, in which the love of Christ was manifested to us, in the opening of his saying, *' If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." John xii. 32. The next day I was at Germantown, at the bu- rial of a son of Dennis Conrad, at which also was our friend Abigail Bowles. On the sixth day following, I went to the general meeting of ministers and elders at Burlington, where I again met with our said friend and divers others : the first day meeting was large ; and on second day was the quarterly meeting for the county ; and on third day, was their youth's meeting, which was large, and many weighty truths were delivered in that meeting. On fourth day we were at a meeting at Springfield ; the house was pretty much thronged, and friends were ex- horted thankfully to commemorate the mercies and fa- vours of the Almighty to them, and desired to enlarge their meeting-houses as their number increased ; for in those parts there was such an openness in the hearts of the people, and increase of their number, that friends had THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 15i> already agreed on building two meeting-houses between Crosswicks and Burlington ; their zeal and unanimity therein, was worthy of eommendation. Fifth dav , being the week-day meeting at Burlington, friends of the town desired I would stay at it ; I tliought we had just before had divers good opportunities, and ni} OAvn inclinations seemed to lead to my family ; Dut friends being desirous of my staying, I did so, and we had a good, solid meeting. After meeting, a solid, good friend said, " he thought we had the best wine at last;" and indeed the love of God, through Christ, is so sweet to his people, that the last often seems the best, when it is only a renewed visitation of the same love to his children. So I went home rejoic- ing that I was in some good measure accounted worthy to serve so good and so gracious a Master. On the 6th day of the first month, being the first of the week, I was at the morning and afternoon meetings in Philadelphia, wherein those who call themselves free- thinkers were exhorted to be careful of drinking too free- ly, lest they might justly be called free-drinkers ; foF many times such, when they drink too freely of strong liquor, think and speak too freely their own corrupt no- tions, to the dishonour of God, and to the scandal of re- ligion in general. Soon after I was at the first day meetings at Philadel- phia ; and in this month I went to the Jerseys, and was at three large meetings in company with x\bigail Bowles, in which our said friend had good service, to the comfort of friends, convincing of gainsayers, and confirming the weak, and the people were glad of our visit. Tht 15th day of this month I was at Burlington, at the burial of my good friend and old acquaintance, Abraham Bickley, at whose funeral were great numbers of people, he being well beloved of his neighbours : Christ's raising Lazarus out of the grave, and his tenderness and weep- ing there, was spoken of, in order to stir people up to a tender, religious exercise of mind, which is too much wanting among many of the professors of his holy name, who have too little sense of that which should bring true, tenderness over their minds, being morr in earth than 160 TIIK JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. heaven ; so that they are dry and barren, as to the things^ of God. The meeting ended, to satisfaction, with sup- plications to the Almighty. A few days after, I was at our general spring meeting in Philadelphia, which was large; 'where our friends Robert Jordan, and Abigail Bowles, had good service. This week I was at foi'.r very large meetings, at Phil- adelphia, Frankfort, and Abington, much to my satis- faction, though I had no vocal service therein ; yet my heart was broken into tenderness and tears, under the ministry of several weight}', solid testimonies, that were borne by good and living ministers, qualified to preach the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit, and with power. The 26th of the first month, 1726, I went to German- town meeting, which was large, and I was opened there- in to speak of the vision of the prophet Ezekiel, of the holy waters, which proceeded from under the threshold of the sanctuary, which the angel measuring, they grew deeper and deeper, until they became a river to swim in. JEzek. xlvii. 5. Which mystically sheweth the work of grace, conversion, and regeneration ; and that these holy waters the soul must drink of, and be w ished, and baptiz- ed in, are spiritual and supernatural, and therefore not to be measured by the spirit and will of man, in his natural state, according to the prophet Isaiah, chap, xxxiii. v. 21. Man, before he can swim therein, must be stript of all his self- righteousness, and artificial religion, though as splendid and beautiful as a gallant ship, or galley with oars, which, in this respect, is agreeable to the state of men smimming in elementary water, where the most skilful have sometimes lost their lives, for want of being naked or unclothed ; and those who had not yet attained much experience, were advised not to go out of their depth, but to wait in patience and hiunility, to enjoy the medicinal virtue of the trees growing b} the side of this river, whose fruit is for meat, and leaves for medicine. Ezek. xlvii. 12. The people of this meeting were gen- erally Germans, several of whom stayed in the house after the meeting was over, and were bioken into tender THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 16i ness, in a sense of the presence and love of God unto us, for which I was also humbly thankful and bowed in spirit. I ^vas at the third day weekly meeting in Philadelphia, which was but small, considering the large number of those professing to be of our society in this city ; those present were closely and tenderly exhorted to be zealous for good works, and against bad works ; not respecting the person of any man ; the abominations committed by some under our profession, in this city and province, calling for humiliation ; and as the promise of God's fav- our was to those who mourned with sighs and cries for the abominations among his people formerly, Ezek. ix« 4, so now, as many as are under the same concern, may hope for preservation and salvation, if he should in like manner visit us, as at this time he doth some of our neighbours; there being a great sickness and mortality in some of the adjacent places. In the second month, I visited the meetings of friends at Haverford, Newtown, Radnor, and Merion ; which meetings consist chiefly of ancient Britons, who are a re- ligious, industrious, and increasing people ; among whom my service was, as they expressed, to our mutual satis- faction. After my return home, I went to visit friends at the Falls of Delaware, and was at a large meeting in their new meeting-house. After a satisfactory meeting at Frankfort, on the fifth day of the same week I went with Ennion Williams to his son's marriage ; and the next day he, and several other friends, accompanied me to Woodberry-creek, and had a good, open meeting, and that night went to James Lord's, and next morning went towards Salem, and lodged at Isaac Sharp's ; Avhere I was informed of a great mortality at Cohrmsy. The 24th of the second month was the general meeting at Salem, which was a large gathering of people of different per- suasions, from many parts of the country, where the doctrine of the gospel was preached in great love to the people, which they heard with solid attention. From Salem I went to AUoway's-creek and Cohansy, and had meetings there : I was informed that more than seventy 1^62 THE JOURNxVL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. persons had lately died here of a malignant distemf)er, though it seemed to abate, none dying while we wer6 there. At Cohansy the meeting was large and solid, the ugh but few of our socie'ty there ; and they were ear- nestiy admonished to a proper disposition of mind, to fit them either for life or death, and reminded of the regard of the Almighty to such as live in his fear, who will have peace in their death, and their exchange will be glorious, when they are taken out of this life ; but with the wicked it is not so. From Cohansy I vv^nt through the wilderness over Maurice's river, accompanied by James Daniel, through a miry, boggy way, in which we saw no house for about forty miles except at the ferry, and that night we got to Richard Townsend's, of Cape-May, where we were kindly received ; next day we had a meeting at Rebecca Garrison's, and the day after a pretty large one at Rich- ard Townsend's, and then went down to the Cape, and had a meeting at John Page's and next day another at Aaron Learning's ; several expressed their satisfaction with those meetings. I lodged two nights at Jacob Spicer's, my wife's brother. From Cape-May we travelled along the sea-coast to Great- Egg- Harbour, had another meeting, much larger than the first, at Rebecca Garrison's, and here I was much concerned to promote the settlement of a monthly meet- ing, for the well ordering the affairs of our society. We swam our creatures, over Egg- Harbour river, and went over ourselves in canoes, and afterwards we had a meeting at Richard Summers', which was as large as could be expected, considering the people's living at a distance from each other. The next meeting we had at John Scull's ; and on first day we had a large one at Peter White's, and on second day at Japhet Leed's, and then we went five miles through a marsh to Little- Egg-Harbour river, and had a meeting in their meeting-house on the fourth day of the week, and eleventh day of the month, which was the larger by the addition of the owners, masters, and marin- ers, of two sloops from New- York, who, hearing of the THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLSY. 16,5 Ineeting, came to it. And tlie next day we had another meeting at the same place, and lodged at Jarvis Faro's. After these two meetings, I left Egg- Harbour, accom. panied by several friends from thence, and travelled about forty miles, before we came to any house. In the even- ing we reached a friend's house, where we were kindly entertained, and next morning we got to Burlington, and so home, \vhere I found all well, and wastherefore thank- ful to the Almighty. In this journey I travelled about three hundred miles, had twenty-one meetings, and was from home about three weeks. In the third mon h, I stayed at and about home, visiting the meetings at Philadelphia, Germaatovvn, Abington, and Frankfort. In the fourth month I left my family, and went back in the woods as far as Oley. I was from home nine days, travelled about one hundred and fifty miles, and had six meetings at Oley, Perkiomen, and divers other places, chiefly in barns and open places, there being large com- panies of people, and few meeting houses yet built in those parts of the country. In this journey I suffered pretty much through the heat. The first meeting was at the iron works settled a little beyond a plice called Mount Misery. I was concerned for those people, hav- ing heard of their rude doings before I left my habitation ; and although some were rude, others behaved them- selves soberly, and expressed their thankfulness for that visitation, as I do for the opportunity I had of clearing myself to them. On my return homewards, I crossed Schuylkill, and went to Samuel Nutt's iron works, where I had a large, quiet, solid meeting ; and the next day I called to see my old friend David Meredith, who being about 89 years of age, I thought it probable I might not have another opportunity of seeing. He met me with gladness, and told me, it was their meeting-day ; so that I stayed, and was much comforted and tendered by the power of Christ ; after which I came home that night. On the next first day, after my return, I went to Phil- adelphia, and, after the afternoon meeting, to Darby, and J64 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET. from thence to a yearl} meeting in Chester county, held ai Gosheii ; though the season was wet, this was a large, good meeting ; at wliich there were three young men, who wtre lately called to the work of the ministry, whom I was glad to hear declare the truth in the power and simplicity of the gospel of Christ, being of the mind of Mioses, when he said, in answer to Joshua, '* Would Ci;d that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put of his spirit upon them." Num. xi, 29. Alter this meeting I went to Springfield, and the next day returned home. On the 22d of the fourth month, I went to the mar- riage of John Lee's daughter, at Springfield, in Chester count} : the meeting was large, and I was concerned to speak n ostly to the young people, advising them to seek tht Lord in that great afiliir of marriage, that they be careful how and en whom they set their affections, and not to draw out one another's minds, if they did not intend an honourable marriage ; and reminding them of the ill tendency of courting several at a time, or suffering sev- eral to court at once, and that they be chaste and true in their proceedings, duly regarding the advice of the apos- tie, " Be not unequally yoked ;" for to be sure all such marriages are unequal, when those Avho marry are of dif- ferent principles of religion. The meeting ended with tender supplication for preservation through whatever exercises, tun her troubles or trials, temptations or af- flictions, we might meet with in the world, that so we miglst eiid well at last, and live for ever to praise and glo- rif} God and the Liunb, who, through the holy, eternal spirit, is worth} forever. On the receipt of the last letter from my dear father, ■which I some time since mentioned I was a])prthensive it night be his last, which it proved to be ; for the next letter from my dear brother ga\ e me intelligence of his death, which I received the 25th of the fourth month this year. The news of my dear father's decease took such hold of my mind, though 1 daily exjjected it, that for some time I was hardly sociable. Oh! how have I been some- times comforted in his loving and tender epistles ! at the THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 165 receipt of which I have cried to the Lord, that, if it pleased him, I might have a double portion of the spirit which he gave to my father : but, Oh ! now 1 must never hear more from him in this world ; yet in this I have some inward comfort, that I hope we shall meet where we shall never part more. Here follows a part of my af- fectionate brother's account of my father's death and burial. " Edmonton, 25th of the 1st Month, 1726. " Dear Brother, *' This comes with the sorrowful account of our dear father's decease, who departed this life the 7th in- stant, after having been indisposed about a fortnight. I have herewith sent a particular account of some remark- able passages, and his last expressions in his sickness ; that part relating to his convincement, he desired should be committed to writing, which I have done, and sent it to thee. *' I was with him several times in his last illness, and most ol the two last days of his life, as thou mayest per- ceive by the contents. Our worthy father was honour- ably buried on the 1 1th instant, being carried from his own house to the meeting-house at Horsleydown, accom- panied by his relations, where was a large meeting of ma- il} people, as many as the meeting-house could well con- tain, and many testimonies were there borne to the inno- cent, exemplary life, integrity, and honest zeal of ourdear father, so concurrent and unanimous, that I have hardly known any such occasion more remarkable : he was ac- companied from thence to the grave very solemnly, and there in like manner interred, where a further testimony was given to his honest life and conversation, and lively zeal for the holy truth, whereof he made profession. " Dear brother, though it be a sorrowful occasion of writing, yet herein we may be comforted in consideration that our father went to his grave in peace in a good old i66 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. age : he had his understanding and memory to the last in a wonderful manner. 1 believe, as I have sometimes said, tliat he embraced death as joyfully as ever he did any- happy accident of his life : I remember one passage of his cheerful resignation, finding him fine and cheery when I came to see him, a week before his decease, and he shewing me how well he could walk about the room, and would have went out of it, though he was very bad the day before, so that I said, father, 1 hope thou wilt get over this illness ; but he answered me pretty quick and loud, *' No, but I don't though :'* It is not long since he was at my house, and was cheerful and well, but spoke as if he thought it would be the last time. My wife said, *' Father, thou mayest live some years;" but he replied, *' Is it not better for me to die, and go to Christ ?" So, dear brother, with dear love to thee, my sister, and thy dear children, and our relations, I conclude with earnest desires for thy health and welfcU"e, " Thv aifectionate brother, " GEORGE CHALKLEY." My brother* s account of my father'' s eonvincement^ and of his last sichiess and dying words. My father was born of religious parents at Kempton, near Hitching, in Hertfordshire, the 1st of the ninth month, 1642 ; his father's name was Thomas Chalkley, by trade a dealer in meal, by profession of the church of England, and zealous in his way, as was also his wife. They had four sons and three daughters, John, George, Thomas, and Robert; Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary. My father, being the third son, was convinced very young at a meeting by Enfield- Chace- Side, near Winchmore-Hill, through the powerful ministry of William Brend, who was an eminent minister in the Lord's hand in that day, and had been a great sufferer for his testimony in Nev/- Englaiid. He was preaching, as 1 heard my father sev- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET, l&t eral times say, upon the words of the preacher, Eccles^ xi. 9. " Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heiu't cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes ; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Upon which subject he spoke so home to my father's state and condition, that he was convinced, and two others of his companions were reached and af- fected with the testimony of Christ's truth and gospel ; my father and two young men had been walking in the fields, having religious conversation together, and were providentially directed to the meeting, by observing some friends going to it whom they followed thither : one of his companions was Samuel Hodges, who lived and died a faithful friend, at whose house in succeeding times a meeting was settled, and is there continued, and a meet- ing-house built at this day at Mims, in Hertfordshire. My father was the first of the family who received the testimony of truth, as it is in Jesus, after which his father and mother were convinced, and all his brothers and sisters, who lived and died honest friends, except one who died young, continuing in the church of England persuasion. Soon after the convincement of my father and his two companions aforesaid, they met with a trial of their faith and patience ; for being taken at a religious meeting of friends, they were all three committed to the new prison in Whitechapel, where having continued pris- oners for some time, the magistrates, observing their christian courage, boldness, and innocency, and being touched with tenderness towards them, considering their youth, they discharged them. My father, about the 25th year of his age, married my mother, a virtuous young woman, who was the wid- ow of Nathaniel Harding, a friend who died under the sentence of banishment for his profession of Christ ; the above account I had from my father's own mouth ; what follows fell within my own observation. My dear father met with great exercises and disap. pointments in his early days ; he, dealing in his father's business, sold meal to some who broke in his debt, which 168 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. brought him low in the world, in which low estate he was an eminent example of patience, resignation, and industry, labouring with his hands for the surport of his family, and conscientiously answering all his engagements ; so that it may be justly said of him, he was careful that he might owe nothing to any man but love ; and farther, he was very constant in keeping to meetings, being a good example therein, though in very hot times of persecu- tion ; for when friends were sorely and severely persecut- ed on account of keeping their religious meetings, and the prisons filled with them through the nation, and their goods taken away, and much spoil and havock made about the years 1680 to 1684, my father constantly at- tended meetings, and never missed, as I remember, when well ; and though he was s( metimes concerned to speak by way of exhortation to friends in their public meetin,Q;s, when they were kept out of their meeting houses, by the then powers, to stand faithful to the truth and testifying of the solid comfort and satisfaction those had who truly waited on the Lord, which the faithful enjoyed, not with- standing their deep and many sufferings for Chri.'^t's sake, and his gospel, it pleased the Lord to preserve him by his divine providence, that he did not suffer imprison- ment, though the wicked informers were very busy in that time of severe persecution. I may further add, that when father was about 60 years of age, he had a concern to visit friends in the north of England, and some other parts of the nation ; and in the 75th year of his age, he travelled to Chester, and from thence, in company with James Bates, a public friend, of Virginia, went over for Ireland ; in all which services he had good satisfaction, and was well received of friends : divers other journies and travels he performed not here noted ; but this jour- ney hito another nation at 75 years of age, shews that age had not quenched his love and zeal for his Lord's work and service. In our father's old age he vv^as attended with very great exercises : about the 77th year of his age, as he was as- sisting his men in the dusk of the evening, he missed his footing, and fell down, and broke his leg ; and soon after THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 169 his leg was well, he met with another accident by a fall, which disabled him, and made him lame to his death, never recovering the hurt he had by that fall, which was after this manner ; he was sitting in a chair by his door on a plank, which not being set fast, it fell, and he, to save himself from the stroke of the plank, fell with his hip on the stones, and got hurt exceedingly, notwithstanding he was remarkable for his activity ; he would walk, though so aged, and also lame, as far as the Work-house, Devon- shire-house, and Bull and Mouth meetings, two or three miles from home. The last bad accident that befel him was about three weeks before his death, when, being walking in the timber yard, a single plank, which stood against a pile, fell down, and striking him on his side, threw him down ; he complained not much of the blow till about a week after, when he was taken with a violent pain in his side, on the very place where he received the stroke, and when his cough took him, vvith which he was often troubled, the pain was very great ; howbeit, through means of a searcloth he received some ease, and the pain of his side abated, and the cough went off; but a vio- lent flux followed, and it brought h^m very low, and ex- treme weak ; so that it was thought he could not continue long ; upon which notice was sent to me, and I ^vent to see him, and found him very low ; but he revived, and changed often in this last illness ; I having been to see him five or six days before, having an account that he was ill, I then found him cheerful, and thought he might recover. He continued all the time of his illness in a patient and resigned frame of mind ; on a first day, in the afternoon, he took his bed, being the 6th of the first month, and in the evening, after the afternoon meetings which was the first day before his death, several friends came to visit him, who finding him very weak, after a little stay, went to take their leave of him, whom he de- sired to sit down, and after some time of silence, he broke forth in declaration in an intelligible and lively manner, to this effect, saying, We have no continuing city here^ but seek one to come, which hath foundations, whose liuilder and maker is God : Friends, may we all labour I7ii THK JOURNAL OF THOJIAS CHALKLFY. to be prepared for our last and great change, tliat whcii this earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, we may have an habitation with the Lord, a building not made Avith hands, eternal in the hea\ens, and that it might be tlius, the Lord hath shewed thee, Oh! man, what is good, viz* To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy Cod. I do not expect but that this \\ill be the last night I shall have in this world, and I desire it may be remem- bered, as the words of a dying man, which came to pass, for he died the next day. Oii ! that we may labour to be clothed upon with our house that is from heaven, so that when the finishing hour comes, we may have nothing to do but to die. About one or two o'clock, the next morn- ing, he began to change, and desired to see me ; I came to him, and found him very sensible, but expected his end quickly to approach; he saying, he was waiting for his change. My son-in-law, Samuel Thornton, being with me, and we sitting by the bedside, with his nurse, his housekeeper, and his man, about the fourth hour in the morning, he^ prayed fervently after this manner; — Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen.thy salvation, which thou hast pre- pared before the face of all people, thou hast given thy Son, a light to enlighten the gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel ; and now, Lord be with thy people and servants, and preserve my near and dear relations, and keep them from the snares and temptations of the enemy, that in thy truth they may fear thy great name. After a little time of silence, he desired me to remem- ber his dear love, in the life of Christ Jesus, to my dear brother, Thomas Chalkley, in Pennsvlvania, and to all my old friends and acquaintance. Ai:»out the 11th hour in the morning he inquired how the tide was, which no body present could exactly tell ; some time after he asked again ; his man then went out to sec, returning, he told him, it would be high water about 3 o'clock in the afternoon ; he then lay still a while, and after some pause spoke cheerfully out aloud, so that all in the room might hear him, I shall go off about five ; his man said, master, how dost know? To which he answered, Know, I do THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS GHALKLEY. 171 not know, but I believe it. After this the apothecary, one of his neighbours, among whom he was well belov. ed, about noon came to see him, and asked him how he wasP Father answered, that for three or four hours in the night he thought he should have gone. Why, said he, sir, it will be no surprise to you, I hope. No, no, said my father, very cheerfully. He taking leave of father, said, the Lord be with you. To whom father answered, and with thee also. The doctor having ordered him a com- fortable cordial to drink, he drank it willingly, and then said, I do Jiot think to drink any more in this world ; but I hope I shall drink plentifully of the river of life ; then drawing near his end, finding his strength fail, there bting a cord by his order at the bed's feet, he raising himself up thereby as long as he had am- strength left in his hands, and when his hands and shoulders failed, and his head, when last lifted up, he spoke very low and faultering, yet so as I could understand, and said, now I am going, and about an hour after, laying all the while without sigh or groan, departed this life, as in a slumber, in sweet peace, according as he had foretold, just as the clock struck five, in a perfect enjoyment of that legacy our Saviour left his followers ; *' My peace I leave with you," &c. leaving us, of the succeeding generation, a good example to follow ; who, as he lived, so he died, like a lamb, in the 84th year of his age, the 7th day of the first month, 1725-6. GEORGE CHALKLEY. To ■which account I shall add the following short testimony concerning my dear and greatly beloved father^ George Chalkley^ viz. " I have a great deal in my heart, more than I can write concerning my dear father's life, it having been a wonderful life to me from my youth up ; his early care of me, and counsel to me, when I was too thoughtless and wild, melts me into tears now in the remembrance of it ; and my tender mother was a partner with him in the 172 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAB CHALKLEY. same exercise, and she died in like peace. The last words 1 heard her speak were, 1 long to be dissolved. And as to my tender lather, I would record a little briefly in nicmory of him, that he was, 1st. A true and faithful servant of Christ. 2d. A tender and aftectionate husband : I lived at home with my parents about twent} years, and I never heard, that I remember, an angry ex]:)ression between them, only once something had troubled them, and they both wept, my father saying, I have been an indulgent husband unto thee, and my mother answered, 1 have not been one of the worst of wives to thee ; which were the harshest words, and the greatest difference that 1 observed between them ; for their life was a life of peace and love, and they were an excellent example to us their cliiidren. Oh ! may we ibilow them therein to the end I 3d. He had a fatherly care for his children, in tender pra} ers for us, and in good advice to us, and in giving us learning according to his ability, and teaching us, by his example, as well as precept, industry, humility, and the true religion of our blessed Saviour, endeavouring to plant it in us betimes, and to destroy the evil root of sin in us, while yoimg. 4th. I was his servant, as well as his son, and I can truly say, his service \Aas delightful, and his company pleasing and profitable to me ; and he was also beloved much by his other servants. 5th. He was universally beloved by his neighbours, and I do not remember any difference between him and them, in the many years I lived with him ; but all was peace and love. 6th. He was very loving to his relations, and true to his friends, and a hciuty well wisher and iover of his king and country. T. C. Our general meeting at Frankfort, the 30th of fourth month, was large, our hitr.d \\ ili; ni Pigot, from Lon- don, bemg there, in the course of his visit to frieixls in THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 173 America, and had close work and good service in this meeting. In the fifth month, 1726, I visited the meetings of friends at Philadelphia, Germantown, Bybury, and Frank- fort, I had very comfortable satisfaction : my testimony- was pretty sharp sometimes to transgressors, and there- fore some of them hate me, as the Jews did my great Master : because I was concerned to testify, that their deeds were evil, and to excite my friends to manifest a christian zeal, by openly denying ungodly men, while they conthme in their ungodly works ; but when they be- come truly penitent, and reform their lives, the arms of Christ, and ihis church, will be open to receive them. Being under some melancholy thoughts, because some persons, for whom I wished well, and to whom I had been of service, were so envious and malicious as to tell false stories of me, tending to def[ime me ; as I was riding to our meeting, it opened with satisfaction to my mind, the more my enemies hate me, the more I will love, if that can be ; and I had hearty desires to come up in the practice of this resolution ; and I then thought I should come up with them all, for if a man loves and prays for his enemies, if they are gained, he is instrumental to their good, and so hath cause of rejoicing ; and if they are not gained, he heaps coals of fire upon their heads ; so that every true christian, by keeping under the cross of Christ, and in the practice of his doctrine, gets the bet- ter of his enemies. In the beginning of the sixth month, I was at the burial of Robert Fletcher, a worthy man, and one universally beloved by all sorts of people, as far as ever I heard ; there was a large meeting at his funeral, wherein several testimonies, suitable to the occasion, were borne : some of his last words were mentioned, which were, that he had lived according to the measure of grace given him. And the doctrine of the resurrection was maintained ac- cording to the scripture, and the people were exhorted to prepare for their final change. The death of this friend was a loss to the country, to our society, and to his neigh- bours, as well as to his fiimily and friends. i74 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. After meeting, I travelled towards Uwchland, had a meeting there on first day, and on second day another meeting at Lewis Walker's, and on third day was at the general meeting at Haverford : Friends were exhorted to dwell in the love of God, one towards another ; for if they lost their love they would lose their religion, their peace, and their God ; for *' God is love, and those that dwell in God, dwell in love." My neighbour, Daniel Worthington, accompanied me in this rough travel, some part of the way being hilly, and very stony and bushy, and the weather wet. We had four meetings, and rode about fourscore miles ; and though I had travelled nmch in this province, I had never been at some of those places before : but a few nights before I set out, I had a plain prosjiect of them in a dream, or night vision, as I saw them afterwards, which I thought somewhat remarkable. The people inhabiting this province are now become numerous, and make many settlements in the woods, more than I have observed in my travels in any of the British plantations ; and there hath long been a desire in my mind that they might prosper in the work of true and thorough reformation ; and a godly fear and concern being upon me, I have sometimes put them in mind of the state of this land, when their fathers first came and settled in it ; and to caution them of growing careless, and forgetting the Lord, lest he should forsake them, and turn their now " fruitful fields into a barren wilderness," as this was so lately ; which it is easy with him to do, if he pleases, for the sins of the people. After my return home, I visited many meetings, as, Abington (youths' meeting), Philadelphia, and Chester. At Chester I was concerned to direct the people to that power in themselves, which is the life of religion, and to be careful not to rest in the best forms without it ; for if we had only the form of godliness, and had not the lire and power of it, it might be as reasonable for people to turn away from us, as it \\'as for our forefathers to turn away from other societies. ■THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. X76 In the seventh month, I was at our yearly meeting held at Burlington, for the provinces of New-Jersey and Penn* svlvania, which was a very large meeting, there being friends from New- England, Rhode- Island, and Europe. First day morning I went to Evesham, to the burial of our serviceable friend Jervice Stockdale ; he being in good esteem, there was much people : the meeting was in a good tender frame, and continued several hours so, in which divers testimonies were delivered, in order to stir up people to ti uth and righteousness, and godly living, that they might die well. I lodged the night before at Peter Fearon's, and in the morning I was awaked out of my sleep, as it were by a voice, expressing these words : *' He thcvt liveth and believeth in me shall never die." This I took to be the voice of Christ ; I do not know that it was vocal, but it was as plain as one. From these expressions I had to observe to the people, the happy state and privilege of those M'ho live and believe in Christ, and that such must not live in sin. During the time of our yearly meeting, some rude people came up the river in a small sloop, provided by them for that purpose, and spent their time in drinking, carousing, and firing of guns, to the grief and concern of friends, who were religiously discharging their duty, in serving and worshipping the Almighty ; and, it is observ- able, that one of these disorderly persons had his hand shot off at that time, and that the chief promoters and ac- tors in this riotous company were soon after cut off by death, in the prime of their days. After the general meeting was over, which ended well, friends in the love of God departed in peace for their several habitations, praising and glorifying God. In the beginning of the eighth month, having some business at Cape May, I ferried over to Gloucester, and went the first night to James Lord's, lodged there, got up before day, it being first day morning, and rode near 50 miles to Salem, where we had a good meeting, and so went to Alloway's creek, Cohansy, and through a barren wilderness to Cape May, where we had one meet- ing, and returned home by way of Egg- Harbour; in. 17(> THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. tvhich journey I travelled upwards of two hundred miles* At Cape May I was concerned to write a few lines con- cerning swearing, as follows ; " Christians ought not to swear in any case, for these reasons : 1st. Because Christ, their Lord, torbade it ; unto whom the angels in heaven must be subject, and, doubtless, so must mortal man, to whom he gave the precept. We must and ought to be subject to Christ, Ivho is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and the Judge of the quick and the dead : to him all mortals must be accountable for their disobedience. He says, in his ser- mon on the mount, thus, **I say, swear not at all:'* wherefore, how can Christians (or such who are his friends) swear, since he says also, " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you " So consequently those who disobey his commands must be his enemies. To this command it is objected, that Christ only spoke against common or profane swearing: but this must needs be a great mistake, because Christ says, " It was said in old time, thou shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths" (alluding to the law of Moses), which oaths were solemn and religious ; therefore Christ did not only pro- hibit vain and profane swearing, but all swearing; if we understand the word all, and what all signifies, then all and any swearing whatsoever is not lawful for a chris- tian, according to Christ's law and command, which is positive to his followers. *' 2d. James, the holy apostle of Christ, our lawgiver and our king, says, "Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, nei- ther by any other oath." Christ says, "Swear not at all;" and James his disciple and apostle, says, " Swear not by any oath ;" wherefore, if swearing on the Bible be an oath, or is swearing at all, it is contrary to the express doc- trine of Christ, and his apostle James, as is plain from the above cited texts. *' 3d. The primitive christians did not swear at all, in the first ages of Christianity. Query, whether our modern swearmg christians are better than the prim- itive ones, who, for Christ and conscience sake, could THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 177 not swear at all, even before a magistrate, though legally called ? *' 4th. Many christians have suffered death, because they, for conscience sake, could not swear, and so break the command of Christ their Lord ; and do not our mod- ern christians trample upon their testimony and suffer- ings ? some of whom suffered death for not swearing be- fore the heathen magistrates, and some were martvred by the papists ; judge then whether the persecuted or persecutors were in the right. " 5th. Many of our worthy friends and forefathers, since the former, have suffered to death in jails for not swearing,^ when required by persecuting protestants, be- cause for Christ's sake and sayings, as above, they could not swear at all : and this hath been a testimony which our society hath constantly borne ever since we have been a people, for the reasons above, and more also, if there were occasion, which might be given." The 23d of the eighth month I was at the morning meeting at Philadelphia, on a first day of the week, which was large, and I was concerned therein to exhort friends to labour to purge and cleanse our society of those under our profession who live in open profaneness, and are riot- ous in their conversations. I was at the Bank meeting in the afternoon, where we had a comfortable time : and the next sixth day of the week I was at our monthly meeting, where it was unanimously agreed, in considera- tion of some late indecent conduct of some persons pre- tending to be of our profession, that a testimony from that meeting should go forth against such disorderly do- ings, and unchristian practices ; and that all such per- sons, who were irregular in their conversations, be dis- owned to be of our community, until they, by repentance, manifest their reformation ; which was accordingly soon after published, and read in our first day morning meet^ ing, and in our youths' meeting. And about this time, our governor issued a seasonable proclamation against drinking to excess, gaming, swearing profanely, revelling, night walking, and disturbing the peace, and other im- moralities ; xvhich afforded some satisfiiction to sober ;,ind A a 178 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. well inclined friends, and others : yet there remained n great exercise and concern upon my mind, that some vcui-.g people, whose parents had been careful in training them up, Were grG\\n so wicked, that, b} their extrava- gant conduct, they not only disturbed our religious meet- ings, but likewise became obnoxious to the peaceable- government we live under. In the ninth month 1 was at divers meetings, at Mer- lon, GerniuUtown, Fairhill, Abington, and Philadelphia, in which were several marriages solemnized in a relig- ious manner. And in the tenth month 1 went into the county of Salem, about my afliiirs : it happened to be at the time of the quarterly meeting for Salem and Glou- cester counties ; but I did not know it, until I came to Salem, where friends were glad to see me, as I also was to see thtm; there were some of us whose hearts were knit and united togeiher as Jonathan's and David's, the divine love of God being much shed abroad in our hearts at that meeting : when it was over, and I had finish- ed my business, I could not be clear in my mind with- out having some meetings in the said counties of Salem ar d Gloucester ; and though it was a sickly time, and people died pretty much in those parts where we were going, JL.mes Lord and I, in the love of Christ, visited the meetings at Alloway's creek, Cohansy, Pile's-grove, Wocdberry, Newton, aiW:;':Haddoniield, having meetings every day in the Week, except the last, and sometimes riding nearly twenty miles after meeting, the days being at the shortest, and the weather very cold ; but the Lord \vas with us, which made sufficient amends for all the bodily hardships we met with. 1 got home well, but weary ; and was well and joy- fully received by my loving spouse, children, and ser- vants ; and 1 was truly thankful to the Most High, for his presence and goodness continued to me ; so that, though I perceived my bodilv strength to decline apace, niy siglit, hearing, and voice, failing much, I have occasion to believe, at times I was hcliied e\'en beyond nature in the work of Christ, my dear Lord and Master. THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS GHALKLEY. ITS The 27th of the tenth niontli, I heard the news of the dearh of my dear friend John Lee, by one sent to desire my company at his burial, it affected me with sorroAV, he being- an old acquaintance, and inward friend of mine, with whom I had travelled many miles : he was a living^, serviceable minister of the gospel of Christ, and instru» mental to convince divers of that principle of divine light and truth which we profess. I could not be at his bur- ial, because of my indisposition, and the unseasonableness of the weather ; yet I think it my duty to say this con^ cerning him ; that our love and friendship was constant and entire unto the end, having- been acqu-ainted about 35 years, as near as I can remember. In the eleventh month, as I was meditating in my closet, on the duty and beauty of that great virtue of temperance, it appeared very bright to the view of my mind, and the great benefit of it to those who loved and lived in it : 1st. As to religion, it tends to keep the mnid in an even temper, which is a help to devotion, and the practice of religious duties : 2d. It is a great preserv- ative to health and a good constitution : 3d. It is a bless- ing to posterity, in many considerations. Whereas in- temperance destroys the health, stains the reputation, hurts posterity, in respect to a healthy constitution of body and estate, ruins many families, brings to poverty and disgrace, and, what is yet worst of all, is a great let to religion and the true fear of God, and is a great scan- dal to any who make profession of the christian religion. In this month I accompanied William Piggot, who lately arrived from London, on a religious visit to the meetings of friends in America. From Philadelphia we went to my house at Frankfort, and from thence to North- Wales, and had two large satisfactory meetings on the first day ; next day we were at the monthly meeting at Abington, the third day at Frankfort, and fomth day at Germantown. Fifth day I went to Philadelphia week day meeting, and the said friend to Abington general meeting, and a few days after we met agiin at the quarterly meeting of ministers and elde,rs at Philadel- phia. 180 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY*. The 8th of the twelfth month was our youths' meeting at Frankfort ; many dying about this time, 1 was con- cerned in the meeting to put friends in mind of their mortality ; and that 1 had told friends lately, at their meetings at Abington and Philadelphia, that as I was riding from my house to iMiiladelphia, about a mile from the city, I saw, in the vision of life, the hand oi the Lord stretched over the city aud proviiice, with a rod in it, in order to correct the inhabitants for their sins and iniquities ; which sight affected my mind greatly, and although I did not hear any vocal voice, nor see any vis- ible hand, yet it \vas as plainly revealed to me as though I had ; and that notwithstanding I understood some blighted that testimony, yet I observed to them, that since that time, more people were taken away than common, as they now might see ; and indeed that inward sight and sense I had of the displeasure of God, for the sins of the times, nicide great im])ression on my mind ; and that no flesh might glory, the Lord took, from the evil to come, several sober, well inclined } oung people, as well as divers whose lives and conversations were evil and vic- ious ; so that all had need to be warned to be watchful, and turn to the Lord lest he come at unawares, and call us suddenly out of the world imprepared. In the twelfth and first months many died, of all ages and professions ; and now some, who would hardly give credit to what I had delivered in sevenil meetings, began to see the ful- filling of it, and great talk there was about it : and many solid and large meetings we had with the people at divers funerals about this time, exhorting the people not to slight the present visitation of the Almighty, and to pre- pare for eternity, to meet the Judge of the quick and the dead, who stands at die door. And among many that were taken aw.,y by death, were some few of my particu- lar friends ; and first, dear Hannah Hill, who was a bright example of piety and charity; she was like a nursing mother to me in my afflictions, as was her husband more like a brother, than one not related, whose generous en- teitainment I ma} never forget at times. Thomas Grif- fith, and Elizabeth his wife, died also about this time ; THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 181 Thomas was a serviceable man, and well esteemed in our society ; and his wife a noted woman for being helpful to, and visiting the sick : she chose the house of mourn- ing, rather than the house of mirth. These were wor- thy ancients, who made peaceable and good ends, and to whom may be properly applied that remarkable text of scripture, " Mark the upright, and behold the just, for the end of that man is peace." In me second month, 1727, I proceeded on a voyage to Barbadoes, on account of business, for the support of . my family, and in order to discharge my just debts, which were occasioned by great losses by sea and land. Many of my friends were kind to me, and sent a cargo of goods, in the sloop John, Anthony Peel, master, con- signed to me for sales and returns. When the vessel was loaded, she proceeded down the river, and I went by land to Salem, and was at meeting there on first day, and on third day went on board the sloop at Elsenborough. On the 8th of the second month, we took in our boats and anchors, and proceeded to sea. From Elsenborough and the Capes I wrote to my wife, giving her an account how it was with me, and encouraged her to bear my ab- sence with patience : it was indeed very hard for us to part. I may not omit taking notice of an exercise which I felt one night as I lay on my bed in Philadelphia, on the 21st of the first month, my sleep being taken from me, which I recollected and wrote down on board the afore- said vessel, and was in this manner : *' That the Lord was angry with the people of Phila- delphia and Pennsylvania, because of the great sins and wickedness which were committed by the inhabitants in public houses, and elsewhere : and that the Lord was angry with the magistrates also, because they use not their power as they might do, in order to suppress wick- edness ; and do not, so much as they ought, put the laws already made into execution against profaneness and im- morality : and the Lord is angry with the representatives of the people of the land, because they take not so much care as tliey ought to do to suppress vice and wicked- 182 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLRY. ncss, and wicked houses, in wliich our youth arc grossly corruj)ted : and also the Lord is ani^ry with ni in\- of the better sort of the people, because they seek after and love the things of this world, more than ihe things of bis kingdom : and it was shewed me that the anger of the Most High would still be agiiinst us, until there was a greater reformation in these things." It is worthy of commendation, thut our governor, Thomas Lloyd, some- times in the evening, before he went to rest, used to £^o in person to public houses, and order the people he found there to their own houses, till at length, he was instru- inental to promote better order, and did, in a great meas*- ure, suppress vice and immorality in the city. For some days after we w^re at sea, the weather was pleasant, and we had our health, for which my heart was truly thankful. I exhorted the sailors against swearing ; and though they had been much used to it, they left it off, so that it was rare to hear any of them swear ; for which reformation, so far, I was gliid. I lent and gave them several good books, which they read, and shewed much respect to me : but soon after the wind was con- trary, for some days, and some in the vessel were quar- relsome. I asked them what they thought of the saying of Christ, "If a man smite thee on one cheek, turn to him the other also ;" at which they were silent, and bet- ter conditioned to one another afterwards, and we had some reformation both from fighting and swearing. This voyage I was not so sea sick as I formerl}- had been, though i had, before I left home, some uneasy thoughts about my usually being sea sick, which I took as a pecu^ liar favour from, heaven. About the latitude of 20 de- grees north, we met with calms and contrary winds, which was ver}' hard for some in the vessel to bear, they putting themselves much out of temper about it ; as for my own part, I hud been used to disappointments, and therefore did not so much mind it. I spent pretty much of my time in reading and writing, and God being gra- cious, it was, in the main, a comfortable time to me ; and I enjoyed my healtli as mcII as ever I did at sea in my life, lor which I often breathed forth inward thanks to THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. 183 the Almightv. On the 5th of the third month we arriv- ed at Burbadoes, and I was lovingly received by our friends, but came to a very low market for my goods. I visited friends' meetings on the island, and had sev- eral open meetings at Bridge-town and Speight's-town, and likewise at Piimpkin-hili, and the Spring. On the day of Pentecost (so called) we had a meeting at Bridge- town, in which was shewn the work and operation of God's spirit on the old world, and under the law ; and the everlasting duration and Operation of the same holy spirit under the gospel dispensation, which Christ said should abide forever. At the quarterly meeting at Speight's-town were Judge Allen, and the captain of the man of war stationed there, with several others, not of our society. I was much drawn forth in this meeting to speak of the power of the, Father, Son, and the Spirit, opening to the people how we had been misrepresented in respect to our belief in the Trinity, or the Holy Three which bear record in heaven, the Father, Word, and Spirit, which three are one ; for that it was clear and plain that we are more orthodox in our belief in the Deity, than those who do not believe in the operation of the Holy Ghost ; as also that none could be true Chris- tians \A ithout it. It was queried, how could they be clear in their belief in the Holy Trinity, or the Three that bear record in heaven, who believe the Holy Spirit is ceased in its operations, gifts, or immediate revelations, and, if ceased, when, and where, to W'hom, and how? The people were very sober and attentive, and stayed all the time, and after the meeting was done some time, divers expressed their satisfaction with what was said. My good friend, Peter Sharp, of Maryland, was with me at this meeting, on whose account some of the peo- ple came. He had good service in the meeting, and I was glad of his company in this island, where we joyfully met and parted in the love of Christ. At this meeting we had each of us a certificate from friends, signifying their unity with our conversations and services. The last meeting I had at Barbadoes was at Speight's-town, on a first day. It was a solid, good meeting, in which I 184 THE JOURVAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. took my leave of friends there, and exhorted them to beheve in and hear Christ, he being a teacher that could not be removed from them, as men often were ; and, though they were but few, they were desired to meet in Christ's name ; and I had to shew them the difference be- tween us and other christian professors, who hold no public Avorship, if there be no outward teacher : whereas, if but two or three meet in the name of Christ, he has promis- ed to be in the midst of them ; and he is the best teach- er we can have. On the 14th of the fourth month we set sail from this island, and, for the most part, had fair weather and fair winds, and saw several ships, but spoke with none. I was one evening leaning over the side of the vessel, as being very lonesome (having little conversation with any in the vessel, for divers reasons), I turned from all outward things to the Lord, and was glad to feel his presence and goodness, which was a comfort to me in my lonesome state ; and as my travels and concerns had called and caused me to be much on the seas, it also pleased my good and gracious God, to support me there- on many times, in divers trials, temptations, and exer- cises ; for all which, I bow in awful reverence before him, and return thanksgiving and praise to his great name. The 1st of the fifth month, about noon, we came to the capes of Delaware, and sailed up the bay ; but, in a little time, we touched the ground with our vessel sev- eral times ; there being little wind we got no harm ; but two hours after, or thereabouts, a gust, or storm of wind, took us, which, if it had met with us on the shoals where we struck, in all likelihood we must have perished ; which I took to be a remarkable deliverance. Next tide we got to Newcastle, and. it being first day, I had a meeting with friends there, with which we were greatly refreshed in the Lord, and in one another. After meet- ing I went on board the sloop, and, having a fair wind, we sailed for Philadelphia, where we arrived about the eleventh hour, lodged that night at Paul Preston's, and next day went home to my family at Frankfort, where 'The journal of thomas chalkley. 185 tny wife, children, and servants, received me with much rejoicing. When I was in Barbadoes, P. M, who accompanied me from Bridgetown to windward to counsellor Weeks', told me, that when I was in the island before, he and I had some discourse concerning the use of the sword, he then, not being of our society, wore a sv/ord, but now had left it off, and his business also, which was worth some hundreds a year. 1 had reminded him of Christ's words, that, " Those who take the sword, shall perish with the sword," Mat. xxvi. 52. and, " Resist not evil, and if a man smite thee on one cheek, turn the other also : love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, pray for ihem who despitefuUy use you, and persecute you." After I had used these arguments, he asked me, if one came to kill me, would I not rather kill than be killed ? I told him, no ; so far as I know my own heart, I had rather be killed han kill. He said, that was strange ! and desired to know what reason 1 could give for it. I told him, that I beinjr innocent, if I were killed in my body, my soul might be happy ; but if I killed him, he d} ing in his wickedness, would consequently be unhap- py ; and if I were killed, he might live to repent ; but if I killed him, he would have no time to repent ; so that, if he killed me, I should have much the better, both in respect to myself and to him. This discourse had made so much impression, and so affected him, that he s.^id, he could not but often remember it. And when we parted at Bridgetown, we embraced each other, in open arms of christian love, far from that which would hurt or de- stroy. After I had been at home some time, I visited the- meetings at Philadelphia, Burlington, and Germantown, ir which places 1 had service of divers kinds, and wa:^ lovingly received by friends and others. In the fifth month, Joshua Fielding and John Oxle5' had a large and satisfactory meeting at Frankfort. Joshua came from London, on a religious visit to America, and having been on divers islands, he landed on the main at South- Carolina, and from thence traveiied through the. B b 186 THK JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. U'ildemess 400 miles, or more, where no public friend had ever travelled before : the journey was perilous, but the Lord was with him; who may, in his own time, make way for his servants in those desert places. John Oxley came on the same account from Barbadoes, and had good service among friends in his public ministry. In this month we thinking it convenient to send our little children to school, and not having a schoolmaster of our society near us, concluded to put our son and daugh- ter under the care of Nathaniel Walton, to whom I tliought it my duty to write a few lines about the saluta- tions and language I would have them trained up in, ivhich were on this wise. <* Frankfort, 30t/i of the 5th Months 1727. " Loving Friend, Nathaniel Walton, ** 1 HOPE thou wilt excuse this freedom which I take with thee, in writing this on account of my children, in the se particulars, viz. Respecting the compliment of the hat, and courtseying, the practice thereof being against liiy professed principle ; 1st. because I find nothing like it in the bible ; but, as I think, the contrary. Thou knowest the passage of the three children of God, who stood covered before a mighty monarch ; and Mordecai, who could not bow to great Haman : and, 2d. I believe those practices derived from vain, proud man. And as to language, I desire my children may not be permitted to use the plural language to a single person ; but I pray thee to learn them to say thee, and thou, and thy, and to speak it properly, divers using it improperly, and the rather I desire it, because it is all along used in the di^'ine, inspired, holy writings. I suppose thou art not a stranger to its rise, being from the grandeur and apostacy of the Romish church ; and also, that 2/ou, to a single person, is not consonant to the book of God, nor the true rules of grammar. I know it is generally objected, that the end of speech is to be understood ; but it is understood better THE JOURNAL OF TIIOMA-S CHALKLEY. 18/ kt and according to the language of God, Christ, and the Koiy Ghost, in the Bible, and the language of kings, and all people, as we read it in the holy scriptures ; why then should we be ashamed of it, or shun it, and bring in and uphold a custom contrary to it ? The same care I would have thee take about the names of the days and months, which are derived from the names of the gods of the heathen, and are not found in the bible. I suppose I have the mind of all those of our society in the above, it being consonant to our principle and profession, and I write in a motion of divine love to all. '* As to the school learning of my children, I leave to thv management, not questioning thy ability therein ; and if they want correction, spare not the rod. " i hope thou wilt observe this direction in teaching my children, in which thou wilt oblige thy assured friend^ " T. CHALKLEY." The latter end of the fifth, and the beginning of the sixth months, the weather was exceeding hot, so that di- vers people died suddenly of the heat, as it was sup- posed. The beginning of the sixth month I was at the youths* meeting at Abington, which was large, and open to many ; and I not having been there since I came from sea, divers expressed their gladness to see me ; and we were that day favoured with some showers, both celes- tial and elementary, to our comfort. In the same month I was also at the youths* meeting in Philadelphia ; it had been a sickly time, but many had recovered. That passage opened on my mind, to speak, of in the meeting, concerning the lepers which Christ cleansed and healed, being ten in number, and that but one came to return thanks to God, for being healed, and restored to health. Luke xvii. 12. Friends were exhort- ed to prize their health, and to shew their thankfulness to God the giver of it, by fearing and serving him, and taking heed to Christ, the word, in their hearts. The 188 THE JOURWAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. meeting- was in a s^ood, solid frame, and we praised the Lord together, and gave him thanks for his merciful vis^ itation. About this time I heard of the death of our king, George the 1st. a prince whom 1 loved and honoured ;. VI hich news was very sorrowful to me on divers accounts, his lo\ e and kmdness to our society was well worthy of our grateful remembrance. On a third day, being our week-day meeting at Frank- fort, Elizabeth VVhartnaby and Mary Smith were there ; it was a comfortable opportunity : they were two nights at my house. Elizabeth was preparing to leave this land for Barbadoes and Europe, intending a religious visit to fiicnds. The i20th of the sixth month, going into my closet, I there met with a paper of my so i in-law, Isaac Brown's, and iinding tiie contents were religitms, as I hud done of several of l»is late writings, I found it on my mind ta write to him after this manner. ^' My dear son Isaac, By several waitings of thine, of late, I perceive that a good thing is at \\ ork in thy mind, the which 1 pray the all wise and infinite B(.ijig to promote in thy heart, to thy eteinal salvation, and his glory. I now begin to be in some hopes that my prayers and tears for thee, in the Lord's time, may be answered ; and I do believe, if thou kee))est low in thy mind, that God will more and more visit thee, 'j'he advice of David to his son Solo- mon, when he also gave him the kingdom, comes before my mind to give thee : " My son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind ; f(^,r the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understands th all the imaginations of the thoughts ; if thou seek him, he will be found of thee : but if thou for- sake him, he will cast thee off for ever." 1 C/iroti. xxviii. 9. Dear Isaac, this was coutisel from one of the great* est and best of kings, to a wise young prince, who pe- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 189 titioned the Almighty for divine wisdom, before riches, or honour, or long life ; which petition so pleased God, that he answered his request, and, over and above, bless- ed him in an extraordinary manner. *' I perceive thou art inclined to read pretty much ; I pray thee, that thy chief study in books may be the holy scriptures. Let all other books, though of use, and good, in their places, be subservient to them ; for their authority, of all other writings, to the true believers in Christ, are most divine ; they having a supernatural spring and divine evidence in them to the virtuous and pious readers. Thou, my son, wilt much comfort the heiu-t of thy tender mother, and of me thy loving and careful father, if thou followest and perseverest in the ways of virtue and truth ; which, that ihou mayest, is the prayer of tliy affectionate father-in-law. T. C." The latter end of the sixth month I went to the general meeting of ministers and elders for the east part of New- Jersey, and to the quarterly and youths' meeting at Bur- lington, and to a general meeting at Stony- Brook, and to the quarterly meeting of the county of Bucks. John Oxley, of Barbadoes, and Joshua Fielding, of London, were at divers of those meetings ; wherein we had open, seasonable opportunities ; and I had a large, affecting ac- count from Joshua, of his long and difficult travels in the service of truth to the West- India isles, and thence to South- Carolina, from whence he came through the wil- derness, by land, through North- Carolina, Virginia, Sec. to this province. The 16th of the seventh month began our yearly meet*. ing at Philadelphia, which was attended with the gracious presence of God, to the comfort and great satisfaction of many souls. In this meeting divers young men and young women appeared, who were lately come forth in the ministry, and, as I believe, had received a measure of tlie gift of Christ's gospel; which was cause of rejoicing 190 THE JOURNAL OP TKOMAS CHALKLEY. to the faithful among us, and excited our thanksgiving* and praises to the Ahnighty Lord of heaven and earth. At this meeting we had the company of four minis- ters from Great Britain, and one from Barbadoes, and many from divers other parts, it being a very large gathering of some thousands of people, as was believed, in which many were strengthened in their faith in Christ, and comforted through the power of the Holy Ghost, that blessed comforter, which Christ promised to his church, who should be with them for ever, and guide them into all truth. Next first day after the yearly meeting, I, with several of my neighbour!}, v, ent over Delaware to a meeting up Pensawken- creek ; in which the wonderful love of God was declared, in sending his Son upon earth, who, as he was man, died for man, ajid is now by his spirit present with all those that truly believe in him ; he being the messenger of the covenant of God to mankind. And on second day, being the 25th of the seventh month, I had the sorrowful tidings of the death of my beloved friend James Lord ; who, on his death-bed, desired that I might be sent for to his burial. In the consideration of that christian love which was between us, I think I may truly note, that we were always glad to meet each other; therefore the thoughts of this so sudden change, and final parting, brought, for the present, a sadness and heaviness over my mind ; considering his station in that neighbourhood, and service in that congregation to which he did belong ; for therein he was well beloved, and very serviceable. And, Oh ! the loss that his dear wife and tender chil- dren will have of him, really affects me with sorrow in penning these notes ; but the sorrow, in these things, is all on our side ; for he, without doubt, is at rest with his great Master in heaven. We had a larger meeting at his funeral than ever was known to be there before, as an ancient friend told me, which was solemn and ser- viceable to many. Some time after, having been at divers meetings a- bout home, John Oxley and I, in company, visited THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 191 friends on Long-Island. At Flushing we were at the burial of Jonathan Dickenson : many people of divers persuasions, were at the meeting on that occasion, and were very sober and attentive. I was at the yearly meet- ing for the south side of the island, at a place called Sec- cataug, which meeting was large, many friends and others coming to it over the Plains. I was afterwards at the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury, in East-Jersey, which held three days, and was very large, and the last day the people were very still. Joshua Fielding was at this meeting, and was therein concerned to preach the gospel of Christ with good authority, and matter suit- able to a true gospel minister ; John Oxley was ill of a fever, so that he could not be there; but there were brethren from divers parts, and the power and presence of the Most High was with and among us; blessed be his name. I was also at Rahway river, where was a solid, good meeting. From thence I returned home, having been abroad about a moath, and at above twenty meetings, and travelled above three hundred and fifty miles. In the eighth month, at Frankfort, we had three burials out of one house, at one time ; the mother, daugh- ter, and grand-daughther, of which I had never known the like instance before. On this occasion we had the company of many neighbours, and a very solemn meet- ing at our meeting-house at Frankfort. About this time I was at divers meetings at Philadel- phia, Abington, and Burlington : we had an evening meeting at Burlington, with Richard Smith, jun. who had been so ill that he could not get out to meetings for some months : it was such a satisfactory meeting, that he, and I, and others that were there, will not easily forget, Gur hearts being broken together. The world still continued to frown upon me ; but, tho* my case was such in this world, yet, at times, I had great consolation in Christ; and, in the midst of my troubles when I looked back, I could truly say, that I had not been extravagant, but frugal ; not covetous, but charitable ; not idle, but industrious ; not willing to be such an in- 192^ THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAIKLEY. ficlel as not to take care for my family ; it was some solid comfort to my mind ; and I bless the Almighty, th it I always preferred his work and service to my own, and therein had great ])eace. This I can also sa\ , if it were the last I should say, that I never wilfully, or knowinglv, wronged any man, woman, or child, since I came to years of discretion ; and yet I have nothing to boasi of; it is the Lord's grace and mercy which saveth us. Having occasion to make another voyage to B rrbadoes, I wrote to the teacher of my children as followeih. " Frankfort, 10th of the 10th Month, 1727. ** Loving Friend, " I BEING going to Barbadoes, leave the charge «f my little children to thy care, not doubting thy man- agement of them, by their growing in their learning; please to instruct them to sobriety, and the fear of God, and faith in Christ ; and, if I should never see them nor thee any more, our lives being uncertain in this world, pray let them know that it was their father's will and de- sire, that they should mind their learning, and, above all things, mind the fear of the Most High. When my lit- tle daughter hath read her testament through, I would have her go to writing ; and George the same, on the same terms. Please to learn them the use of chapter and verse, that if any ask them where they are learning, they may tell. And, kind friend, inasmuch as I perceive thou hast followed my former directions, I look on myself obliged to thee ; therefore am so much the more free to impart my mind to thee, now on my departure ; which, with real love, is from thy loving friend, T. C." " P. S. Although my care is great for my children's learning their books, yet it is much more so as to their learning true piety and virtue." THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 103 On the 25th of the tenth moith we set sail from Phila- • delphia, in the sloop Dove, Oswald Peel, master ; having taken a solemn farewell of my dear wife, children, and friends, in order for the support of my family, and an- swering my just debts, which 1 had contracted. On the 27th day of the month, in the evening, we took in our boat, and put to sea ; had some rough weather in our passage, but lived comfortably ; we being all loving and obliging one to another. On the 15th of the eleveuh month, we safely arrived at Speight's-town, in Barbadoes ; and the 18th, between the hours of five and six in the morning, vv^e felt the greatest earthquake that I had ever felt ; having been sensible of three, one at London, one at Jamaica, and one at Frankfort, in Pennsylvania. I was thankful m my heart to the Lord for my safe arrival, and that we were all preserved safe in our stormy passage, and deep loaded vessel; one vessel being lost that came out a little time before us ; and another, which came from our port to this island a few days sooner than we, lost three men by the violence of the storm, and received much damage otherwise ; one of them being a neighbour ©f mine, with whom I was well acquainted, it affected my mind very much. I visited friends meetings in Barba- does, and some divers times over ; and had occasion in some meetings to mention the earthquake, which I told them I did believe was a visitation from the Almighty, in order to put people in mind of mortality, and to re- form them from the evil of their ways, and call them to repentance. While I was in Barbadoes, Francis Gamble died, whom I went to visit several times in his sickness : at his fune- ral was a large gathering of his neighbours, and others ; and divers, not of our society, expressed their satisfac- tion with the meeting. The people in and about Speight's-town, in Barbadoes, were very lo\ing and kind to me, more than I ever had observed before ; even some vile, profane men, whom I could not forbear to repro\ e for their swearing, and taking the sacred r;amc in vain, yet they shewed respect, notwithstanding 1 reproved them sharply. Who (\an take the sacred name m God l'94 THE JOURi^AL •» fHOMAS CIIALKLEY. into their mouths in vain, and be guiltless? or, who caa hear it, iind forbcur reproving it, without being remiss in their duty ? This great evil is too frequently praetised in this rich (p('Or) island of Barbiidoes, rich in earthly, but poor in heavenly treasure, which caused me many times to mourn in secret before the Almighty, praying him for the rtformati(;n of the people, for Christ's sake, and for the glory of his own eternal name. The 27th of the first month, 1728, having done my business in Barbadoes, and seen friends generally, an op- portunity offered for my return home, in the brigantinc Sarah and Mary, Samuel Gallop, master, bound for Bur- lington, in company M'ith W iiliiim Dury and William Callender, both of Barbadoes. Our master was exceed- ingly kind to us in the voyage. The w'md hanging north- eriy, we could not go to windward, but drove to leeward, and sailed by the isles of Lucia, Martinico, Dominica, Guadaloupe, Antigua, Montserrat, Rodondo, Nevis, Christopher's, Eustatius, Saba, Martin's, Anguilla, Bar- tholomew's, Sombrero, and four other small islands, wlich are called the Saints. It was very pleasant sailing by these islands, only some of them were so exceedingly high, that in some places we were becalmed, and the clouds appeared below the tops of divers of the moun- tains. At Christopher's, which is counted the highest of them, there being a small river of good fresh water, we sent our boat on shore for some, having none very good on board : we lay off and on about two hours, but did not come to. I was thankful for this water, it being my con- • slant drink ; it was also very serviceable to the people on board. After we left the isle of Sombrero, we saw a sail, which we thought stood after us, and hearing at Christo- pher's that several Spanish privateers were on that coast, our master, and some others on board, were a little sur- prised ; but we soon left her out of sight, and we after- wards went pleasantly on our way, till we came to the lat- itude of Bermuda, where the winds blew fresh, and much against us ; and this winter having been very hard, we felt the sharp blasts of the latter end of it. We had a passage of about thirty days, and came very pleasantly up TH£ JOURNAL OF THOMAS GHALKLEY. 195 the bay and river ; and it pleased God that I got home once more to my beloved wife and children, and was joyfully received by all my family, whom I found ia a good degiee of health ; for which I did, as I had oc- casion to do, bless and praise the great name of the Most High, who is worthy forever. After I came home, I was at many meetings in Penn- sylvania and Jersey, viz. at Philadelphia, Burlington, Bristol, Bybury, Frankfort, Germantown, N<. w-Hanover, Cros wicks, &c. in all which meetings, I had some ser- vice to friends' satisfaction, and was comforted with the goodness of God in the midst of my afflictions. My business lying much at Burlington, 1 spent pretty much of my time there for several weeks ; where my friend^ manifested a tender and hearty respect towards me, and sympathized with me in my troubles and travels ; and there I prepared for another vo} age ; for I was fully re« solved, through divine assistance, to pay all my just debts, which I contracted, and lay on me, through many losses, or else to die in the pursuit of it ; in which resolve I had inward peace and satisfaction ; though such labour, travail, and separation from my family, was a great cros§ to nature. On the 14th of the fifth month we went on board the brigantine Sarah and Mary, Samuel Gallop, master, for Barbadoes ; and on the 16th we sailed down the bay, and put to sea, and I wrote a loving, tender letter, to my wife and famil}', and another to my friends at Burlington. We had fair winds for about two weeks, after which they were contrary for several days, during which two of our men had a fever, and our vessel proved leaky, though tight in smooth water, which was some concern to us, and obliged us to pump every half hour; but the leak being much the same, while at sea, we were the more easy about it : I took care of those two people that were sick, who soon recovered. The 3d and 4th days of the sixth month it was very windy, with lightning, thunder, and rain ; in which rough weather one of our best sailors put his shoulder out of joint, and they brought him to mc to see if I could do him any service ; I was 196 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. not forward to meddle ; but the man and the people be- lie viig, if I would undertake for him, I miglu iicip hnn ; 1 told them, that though I did not understand bone set- tiiig, I would instruct them the best 1 could ; then 1 or- dered liim to sit down upon the deck, and to be stript to the waist, and got a round piece of wood as thick as his arm, and wrapt a piece of cloth about it, that it might not bruise his liesh, and put it under his arm, and ordered two men, one at each end of it, to lift up strongly, and a third man to stretch his arm out, and keep it down with- al ; which being done, the bone went into its pUice ; for \Ahich I was thankful in my heart to the Almighty. About the 10th of the sixth month we safely arrived at Speight's town, in Barbadoes, being the first day ol the week. From whence I had an opj^ortunity, b} Alex- ander Seaion, master ol a vessel bound to Pennsylvania, to send an account of our safe arrival. I iiad many meetings in the isl:ind, and made several visits to divers sick pers(>ns, one of which was particular- ly to the satisfaction of the person visited, and his rela- tions : he died, aid was buried at Hcihcott's-ljay, where we had a large meeting at cur meeting-house, where were many people, and it w<.is argood, seasonable opportunity ; in which 1 had occasion to remind them of their morlal- jtv, and press l^iem to a holy life, the way to a happy immortality. I had divers meetings at Bridgeto\\n, S, cight's-town, and the Spring; where the testimony of Christ's gospel was well recei\ ed. And after a sta\ of three weeks, 1 left Barbadoes on the first of the seventh month, ai)d took my passage in the Aniiiy, Charles Har- gnve, master, who was very fvi( ndh' to me in my pus- sagt, as were all on board. We arrived at onr ])ort without casting anchor in all our voyage, and laid the vessel to the wharf at Phiiadelj:)hia ; and on my landing I inmiediately went into the meeting of ministers and el- ders, it being just met ting time, where we were much comforted together in Christ; after which I went home> being lovingly receiAcd b} my wife and family, having been from home about ten weeks. THE JOUR>IAL O? THOMAS CHALKLEY. 197 After I came home from this voyage, I visited the meetings of friends at Phihidelphia, Frankfort, German- town, the Falls of Delaware, Burlington, New-Hanover, Mount-Holly, Fair-Hill, &c. The 2d of the ninth month I was at the quarterly- meeting of ministers and elders at Philadelphia, where I met with Joseph Taylor, a friend, who had visited our meetings pretty generally on the continent of America, in the ministry of the gospel, and was now on his return homewards, with whose visit friends had good unity, and certified the same to our brethren of the meeting where he lived in Great Britain. After this I was at divers meetings in Pennsylvania and Jersey ; and the latter end of the ninth month, Sarah, the wife of Jeremiah Elfreth, died very suddenly, having been the day before walking in her garden ; she was a sober young woman, and her death was much lamented ; her burial occasioned my stay at Philadelphia, which I had divers times shuned, because a concern had been on me for some time, to declare to the people of that city, that the lord was angry with the legislators of Penn- sylvania, because they were not so much concerned to promote religion and piety, as they ought, and to make such laws as might prevent the excessive increase of public houses, which often prove seminaries of Satan ; but strove to promote parties more than religion : and that the Lord was angry with the magistrates, because they did not so much as they might, and ought to do, to put those good and wholesome laws in execution, which were already made, against vice and immorality ; and that the Lord was angry with some of the better sort of people, because they seek and mind the things of this world, more than the things of God and his kingdom. But I was helped to clear myself in the morning meet- ing, to the satisfaction of many of the honest hearted, and uiiburdcn my mind of a great exercise that I had long laid under. In the afternoon we had a large meeting at the Bank meeting-house, occasioned by the aforesaid burial ; the resurrection of the dead was declared in that meeting, ac- 198 THE JOURKAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. cording to the doctrine of our S.viour Jesus Christ, the great author of the christian religion, and also of that eminent apostle Paul ; and that old and false calumny, that our society denied the resurrection of the dead, was publicly denied and refuted. The people were c xhortt- d to live well, that they might die well ; and then they need not doubt, but that they would rise well at the re. surrection in the last day. The meeting concluded w^ith praise to the Almighty for all his mercies, and prayer to him, that he would sanctify that day's service to the people. In the tenth month I prepared for another voyage to the island of Barbadoes, and had the ship Bristol Hope consigned to me, but the winter setting in sooner than common, caused our stay much longer than we expect* ed, whereby I had the opjiortunity to visit divers meet- ings, as Burlington, the Falls of Delaware, Ncshaminy, Wright's-town, and Philadelphia. In this city a con- cern was on my mind to declare to the people, that the Almighty had shewed me, that he had often visited those in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania with his own hand, and with his own rod; but if that did not work the designed end for which he visited them, (of which they were told also before it came to pass), he then would chastise them with the rod of man, and this was as plainly spo- ken to me in my own habitation, as though it had been the voice of a man, though it was not vocal. The 12th of the eleventh month, being first day, I was at Horsham meeting, and had a tender bowing time therein ; and in my way home visited some friends who were sick, it being a time of general visitation in those parts ; and the next seventh day I was at the meeting of ministers and elders at Philadelphia, where we had a good meeting. Here I was earnestly desired to be at the funeral of Edmond Orpwood, the eldest friend belong, ing to Frankfort meeting ; but was in a strait, this friend being my neighbour, and I had before engaged to be at the burial of one with whom I had been acquainted near forty } ears, therefore I did my endeavour to be at both, being each of them buried in tlie afternoon, and five THE JOURNAL OP THeMA8 CHALKLEY. 199 miles distant ; the days being short also, divers told me it was impracticable ; I told them they might be mistak- en, as they were ; for though we had a large meeting, and the company of Rowland Wilson, from Britain, who had large and good service therein, yet after meeting we mounted, and got to Philadelphia about a quarter of an hour after the corpse was brought into the meeting-house, as I was informed. We had a large, and, as I thought, a good meeting ; after which I went home, being weary in my body, but thankful in my heart, that the Almighty had been with us, and helped us to perform that day's service. On the 20th of the eleventh month, and second day of the week, I went into a piece of ground (which I was clearing for meadow) in order to give directions to the workmen ; one of the trees fell contrary to the kerf, and also to the wind, which was then at north-west, and when I saw it falling towards me, I ran from it, but be- fore I could get out of the way, it fell upon me, across my back, from my shoulder to my hips, and struck me down to the earth, where for some time I lay speechless, and in all likelihood I should have been immediately killed, if I had not been providentially preserved by the body of the flilling tree laying on a stump, which pre- vented its crushing me, as I lay on the ground. A friend that was near me, with a horse, desired the wood-cutters (when they were recovered from the surprize, and I to the use of my speech) to help me on his horse, and I rode home, but in extreme misery, and I was under great concern, lest I should surprize my wife and chil- dren suddenly. We sent to Philadelphia for Dr. Grif- fith Owen, who came in about two hours, and let me blood, and ordered several things to be applied and ta- ken, which through divine favour proved very service- able to me ; notwithstanding which, I was in great pain many days, and long and tedious nights, not being able either to feed myself, or turn in my bed, for a great while. In this confinement I was at times favoured with a very comfortable sense of the presence of God, whose providence is over all his works ; and as his love to me 200 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. was great, so the love of his people was also, many'oT whom, and of my neighbours, came to see me, sympa- thizing with me in my distress ; but among them 1 had one of Job's comforters, who wickedly abused me in this low state. 1 can scarce forbear mentioning his name, having example for it in holy writ, but through the Lord's help 1 will put on charity. The 9th of the twelfth month, I got abroad the first time to our meeting at Frankfort, with which divers ex- pressed their gladness to see me there again. In this meeting I exhorted them to think on eternity, and to pre- pare for it, by living to-day, as though they were to die to-morrow ; for I found it by experience to be needful, and then if sudden death comes, it will not surprize us. As I now found it continue my business to go to sea for a livelihood, I undertook the charge of the ship New Bristol Hope, as master, though it was a way of living to which I did not incline. I took care in our vessel that there should be no swearing in my hearing, nor drunk- enness, to my knowledge, without reproof; and if I could not be instrumental that way to break them from swearing, and drinking to excess, my manner was, to put them away, so that we generally had a pretty quiet ship. We left Philadelphia the 13th of the twelfth months but storms and contrary winds detained us in the river and bay, so that we did not get out to sea till the 21st of said month, when the pilot left us, by whom I wrote to my wife and famil}' ; and now I thought I felt the ben- efit of the good wishes of my beloved and dear friends I left behind, which did me a great deal of good, as it often hath done on the like occasion ; for faithful friends, and good christians, are as epistles written in one another's hearts. In our passage we took several dolphins, M-hich were very welcome to us, we having a long passage, and our fresh provisions nearly spent. The 19th of the first month we saw the island of Barbadoes, having had sev- eral meetings on board the ship in this voyage, the good effects I could sec but little of, only for that day they would be a little more sober, and some of them, addicted fo swearing, did not swear so often as they did before. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLE-Y. 201 The day following we safely arrived at Speight's-town, where we had the next day a very comfortable meeting for the divine worship of God. The fifth day following I was at Bridgetown, at their week day meeting ; and next first day, being the 30th of the month, I was at a meeting at Pumpkin-hill, where I was enlarged in the doctrine of faith. After this I went to the Bridge with a friend from New-England; we had two good meetings, it being the general meeting for the friends of the island, and after- wards I, with several friends, went again to Speight's- town, and on the 12th of the second month I was at the Thicket's meeting, at which were counsellor Weeks, col- onel Charnock, and justice Sims ; I dined with them at judge Weeks', and they discoursed of what was said in the meeting about dancing, I quoting Luther's words, *' that as many paces as the person takes in the dance, so many paces or steps they take towards hell :" and I told them, that I had heard that several had used that vain ex- ercise in our meeting-house, which was appointed for the worship of God ; and I said, I hoped for the future it would be so no more ; two of those persons who danced in our meeting-house, were then in the meeting, though I did not know it. This testimony so wrought on the colonel, that he said he could scarcely feel his lesrs since I spoke it ; and the justice said, if these words be true, he had taken many steps towards hell ; and the counsellor and judge said, it was home doctrine to some that were there : divers of them seemed to be touched with the testimony of truth, though not so solidly as I desired. Soon after, I went with Joshua Birch, to visit the gov- ernor of the island, colonel Worsley, who treated us with much freedom and civility ; he desired me to sit down by him, and then called for a decanter of wine, of which he kindly offered me a glass, but I told him I chiefly drank water ; he said, v»'ater is certainly the best drink in the world, and told me I was a credit to my drink, as I look- ed as well, or better, than most who drank wine. In the second month, I was at meeting on a first day at Bridgetown, which was somewhat larger than usual ; it ]> d tiQ2 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. was a good open time in the morning, but more so in th6 afternoon. At this meeting, there was a merchant of the town, who sent to know if our friends (he not being of our profession) would make a contribution for me, in consideration of my losses. He said he would con- tribute as much as any, although he had heard me only th.it one time ; but he was informed that we received no money nor pay for our preaching ; yet his good will I acknowledged. The 4th of the third month, I was at meeting at the Spring, where I met with Joseph Gamble, and John Ox- ley, and his wife, and several others, not belonging to this particular meeting, and we were edified together in the love and life of Christ. I was concerned to speak of the divers visitations and speakings of God to the people since the world began ; quoting the words of holy writ, that, " God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake to the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things :" and that this dispensation is the last and brightest dispensation of all, and is the greatest and most glorious manifestation of God's love to mankind ; and that beside this vocal speaking of Christ, when in the body on earth, he now speaks spiritually : which spir- itual speaking of Christ, in and to the true church, and true believers, will outlast time, and endure to all eter- nity ; the great Lord of all, for his unspeakable benefit therein, was praised and glorified, as being alone worthy. I had divers other meetings on the island, which I pass by, not being willing to be prolix. After a stay of about nine weeks, v^e proposed sailing. Judge Gray, a very noted man, and much esteemed among the people, took passage with us ; also Joshua Birch, of Bridgetown, for his health, and William Callender, and several others, as merchants. Tho' I came on account of trade, our friends gave me a certificate that I had good service among them, and in my outward affliirs had gained esteem among the people, as well as in my service in preaching Christ ; all which I acknowledge to be the effects of divine grace ; divers friend:^ aiid acquaintance came to the sea shore a(; THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. 20^ Speight's-town, and in a great deal of tender christian love, and good desires, we took leave, and committed one another to the protection of the Almighty. We had a comfortable passage, and arrived at Philadelphia, where I was lovingly received by my wife and friends. In this voyage, a great and weighty concern came on my mind, on account of the young and rising generation, dc siring that they might be happy in this world, and ia that which is to come. And first, as to this world, I have taken notice, that divers of the youth are too apt to waste their outward substance, which often is given to them, (for when they get it themselves, they are for the most part more saving of it) and this wasting and spendmg, those sparks call generosity, liberality, good nature, gen^ tility, fine breeding, and abundance of other fine names, not considering the labour and industry, frugality, care, and watchings, of their parents or ancestors, to get what they have. May parents note this well, and not be anx- iously concerned to get much wealth, which may be a means to ruin their posterity ! and truly most of these spending, drinking, company keeping, gaming, chatting, tippling youngsters, take a great deal more care how they may get money from others, that they may spend it, than how to earn it, or faithfully labour for it themselves ; they will beg or borrow, or run in debt, but take little or no solid thought to pay ; by which means divers of those topping, beggcyly beaus, and spenders, have brought both themselves and relations, parents and friends, to shame and disgrace, and sometimes to poverty, where their relations, and parents have been too liberal. Let all indulgent parents note this also. And if any concerned person should advise those in- considerate youths of their evils, it is much if they gain not their lasting ill will, and the epithets of niggards and covetous, ill natured, censorious, sour, morose, &c. However I shall venture to stand the shock of their dis- pleasure, and in as moving terms as I can, consistent with the matter on my mind, entreat them to consider the end of their spending, slothful, idle life, which if continued in, must needs end ia their ruin, and they may repent 204 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. when it is too late, crying out, Oh ! that I had hearken- ed to the advice of my lather and my indulgent mother ! Oh ! that 1 had taken the counsel of my good friends in time, then I had not been in this condition, nor in those straits I am now in. This, or worse, must at last inevit- ably be ihe condition of those unthinking, time wasting and money spending, evil company keeping young peo- ple of both sexes. Some of whom, if they can get it, will bpend more in a few hours, than their parents can get in so many days, which is very unreasonable, as well as unthinking ; for if the mdulgent parents do not hold their hands, truly they must all sink together ; and where the parents have been what these sorts of youths call liberal, whole families have by such liberality been undone, which is a case to be lamented by all sober people. 1 pray our spending youths to consider, how many- brave, fine young men and women, whose parents have left ;hem estates and handsome incomes, have by such extravagances, soon spent all, and sometimes more than all, and disgrace and a jail have been their portion ; and how many, by living too fast, have died too soon, much sooner than might be exj)ected, according to the course of nature. Wherefore, I would advise them to regard what the wise king Solomon said, " Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise ; she gathereth her food in the summer;" (i.e. she prepares against the winier) though this may be despicable in the eyes of our fine gentlemen and learned spending wits, yet there appears more wisdom in these little industriotis animals, than in those great spenders, who in the spring and summer of their years, take so little thought of saving what hath been with so much care gotten for them, or of getting more against their winter or old age ; which, if they live, will certainly overtake them, when their youth or summer is gone. But many youths object against this advice, crying out, as I have often heard, " The aged give this advice when they are old, but did as we do, when they were young as we are ;" although this may be true in some. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEV. 80^ yet it will not hold good in the general ; and if it do in some, is not that maxim good, " Let others harms learn us to beware, before it be too late, that we fall not into the same snare, which hath entangled or caught thous- ands to their great shame and reproach ?" Again, those who have been so overtaken in their youth, and are es- caped out of the snare, are more fit to caution or advise how to escape it, or to shew those paths which lead them into that labyrinth of wo and misery. The author of all evil useth his utmost skill and power to promote the practices of excessive drinking, &c. among mankind, it being a mighty support to his king- dom ; for when the nobility of the understanding is clouded thereby, then. Oh! how many wicked oaths. Oh! what corrupt language, what unhandsome, unbecoming words and actions, are brought forth ! How is the sober, chaste soul, offended, and, above all other considerations, how is God dishonoured, and the end of our creation frustrated, and man condemned ! When people are in those excesses, how do they take the sacred name in vain, and so bring themselves in guilty before God, and man ; for he has positively said, he will not hold those guiltless who take his name in vain ; so that let him plead never so many excuses, he is pro- nounced guilty by the Judge of heaven and earth: there- fore, let me persuade the youth to remember what the Lord by his servants said concerning drinking to excess : *' Wo to the drunkards;" and that " no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom." Again, " Wo to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink," &.c. If it be objected, as it often is, when such poor souls are reproved, and their sins set in order before them ; we trust in the mercy of God and the mer- its of Christ ; I say this is a good trust and hope, if upon a good foundation ; but the wicked must forsake their ways, and the unrighteous their evil thoughts ; but what forsaking is that, when strong conviction is upon the soul, to make covenants, vows, and promises, and break them from time to time ? And though Christ hath satis- fied the justice of the Almighty for sinners, it is for those l^S THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CWALKLr.Y. who forsake their sins, not those who plead for the prac. tice of them, and endeavour, by many vain excuses, to justify themselves in them. Since then the salvation of the soul is precious, and hath cost the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and is much more precious than health or wealtii, why should any be so cruel and hard-hearted to themselves, as, for a little vanity, froth, mirth, toys, trifles, vain sports, and evil pastime, to plun^^e and sink themselves into the eternal gulph of wo and misery ; pray, Oh ! pray con. sider it, dear youths. After my return from Barbadoes, in the fourth month, I visited friends' meetings at Burlington, the Falls of Delaware, Abington, Germantown, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort meetings ; which meetings were much to my satisfaction ; the Lord being pleased to manifest his goodness to many, as also to my poor exercised soul ; for which I was truly thankful unto him. In the sixth month I was at the general meeting of friends at Darby, in Chester county, which was a large, good meeting, divers friends appearing there in a lively ministry. About this time, some thousands of people came from Ireland, and also many palatines from Hol- land ; among whom, it was reported, were romans, or papists, several of whom, it was said, gave out threat- ening speeches, which caused some consternation among the people. At this large general meeting, I exhorted them to trust in the Lord, and not to distrust that hand which had hitherto preserved us by his providence without outward force ; and that though the people who came among us were many in number, yet we, having the Lord on our side, were more than they, in a mystical sense ; putting them in remembrance of the prophet, who, when his servant was afraid, prayed to the Almighty, to open the eyes of his servant, and when they were mystically open- ed, he saw the mountain full of chariots of fire, and horses of fire, and that they were more than their ene- mies. I was aiso concerned to exhort friends to be good THE JOURNAL OP T1I0MA3 CHALKLEY* 2(^ examples to those strangers, who came among us in sucli great numbers ; and that our lights, in our conver- sations, might so shine, that those people, seeing our good works, might glorify our Father which is in heav* en, according to the doctrine of Christ ; and then we should do them good, and they would do us no hurt, but good also : but on the other hand, if we keep not our places, and do not live in the fear of God, nor accord- ing to our holy principles and profession, that then it might be just with the Lord God, to make them a scourge to us. Many were comforted in this meeting, and God %vas praised, who is worthy. On the 15th of the sixth month, having loaded the ship New Bristol Hope, a second time, I sailed in her from Philadelphia, and having a concern to visit the meeting of friends at Salem, I left the ship at Glouces- ter, under the care of the pilot, and went by land to the first day meeting at Salem, and from thence to Elsen- borough, and stayed till the ship came down ; and on the 20th of the month we got to sea, and had a fair wind ^or several days, and lived very lovingly on board, being respectfully treated by my sailors. In this voyage we had several meetings on board, the first of which was, at the request of my second mate, to call the sailors together in the cabin ; I not being for- ward to propose it to them, lest they should suspect me ©f some vanity, in desiring to preach to them ; they not knowing the cross of Christ in that exercise. On the 24th day of the seventh month, at noon, our ship, by observation, being exactly in the latitude of Barbadoes, we steered away west for the island, and on the 26th we saw it after five weeks and one day leaving sight of Cape Henlopen ; we having, after the first few days, light winds, calms, and head winds, which made our passage long, and our sea stores almost spent ; but now the sight of land made the people forget all uneasi- ness, and, for this favour, my heart was thankful to the great Preserver of men. This time we came to a tolerable market with our pro- yisions^ wh;ich made our stay but short ; yet I was divers 208 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. times at Bridge-meeting of friends, as also at Speight's town, where my concerns chiefly lay ; and once at Piimpkin-hill meeting, in which meeting it was observed to tlie people, that the salvation of the soul is precious, and that true religion is a solid thing, a thing of the greatest moment to both body and soul, and that people ought to be very serious and solidly concerned about it, taking special care to lay, or build, their religion on a sure foundation ; it was shewed them, that Christ Jesus was the sure rock and foundation of all the righteous, in all ages ; he was the rock that followed Israel, which they drank of; any other found ition than him, no man can lay ; who is, in the truly religious, and the true be- lievers, the hope of their glory. Many other precious truths were manifested to us, in that meeting, for which we praised the Lord. Soon after, I went to Bridgetown, to clear out the vessej, and was at their week-day meeting; the subject matter I had to treat of in that meeting, was that '* the Lord bringeth low, and he raiseth up again;" and that, in divers respects, as to kingdoms, families, and partic- ular persons; and as to health, wealth, honour, &c. di- vers in that meeting were appealed to as witnesses of it. After this meeting, I went to visit the governor, who was courteous to me, and took my visit kindly, and de- sired to be remembered to our governor, and several others, and wished me a prosperous voyage, and well back again, which he hoped would be in about three months ; he said " Whoever lived to see it, Pennsyl- vania would be the metropolis of America, in some hun- dreds of years." He said, " he loved downright honest men, but he hated deceit and hypocrisy :" — a great man, and a great expression ! The 21st of the eighth month, 1729, we having done our business, weighed anchor, and went to sea : and on the 26th we had a good meeting with the ship's company, for the service and worship of God ; in which the gospel of Christ was declared without partiality, and the reign- ing sins of sailors openly exposed, according to the doc- trine of the gospel, and the most high Lord entreated to THE JOURNAL OF THOM -^S CHALKLEY. 209 carry on in the earth the great work of reformation. Hitherto we bad fine, pleasant weather. The beginning of the ninth month, we had a very bhistering, stormy time, for many days, so that we could not carry sail, but sometimes lay by, and sometimes went with a reefed mainsail and foresail ; the ship hdd such a violent motion, that it broke our glasses, and about a dozen bottles of wine, and our earthen ware, and strain- ed our hogsheads and casks, so that we pumped out mo- lasses into the sea, and beat us back many leagues, and blew our sails out of the bolt ropes. After those storms, we had a calm, and the wind sprung up westerly ; our course benig north-west, or thereabout, we could barely lay our course ; yet, it being moderate, ^ve had cause to be thankful. The 12th of the ninth month we found ourselves in the latitude of 36 degrees, 17 minutes, north ; but the wind was ahead, and our fresh stock of provisions almost ex- pended, and winter coining on apace, the nights dctrk and long, made it seem tedious to our people ; the which I was helped to bear with patience. The 14th day, about eight o'clock at night, John Flasket, one of the best of our sailors, through the vio- lent pitching of the ship, fell into the sea from oif the bowsprit ; one of the sailors, seeing him fall, nimbly threw a rope to him, which he caught hold of, and the people helped him into the ship; though, in all probabil- ity, he had perished in the sea, if he had missed taking hold of the rope. I was thankful to the Almighty for this young man's life, and took it as a great favour from heaven. The next day it was dreadful stormy, the wind blew violently at south-west, with lightning, thunder, and much rain ; the seas ran so high, and the ship liad such a great motion, that the goods, or casks, shifted in the hold, and we lay by till next day ; our sails also were much torn, and, in many places, blown out of the bolt ropes, so that we were half a day mending them, and then proceeded on our voyage home, where we arrived the latter end of the month. no THE JOURNAL Of THOMAS CHALKLEY. After I came home from this voyage, in the small stay I was on shore, I was divers times at meetine^s at Phila- delphia and Frankfort, and was also at Germantown, at the burial of our ancient friend Dennis Cunrad, who tvas one of the first settlers of this town (as I understood the first meeting of friends, for worship in it, was kept at his house) ; he was a man of an inoffensive life, much given to hospitality, and left a good report behind him. The meetmg was large, and many of the first settlers of the country were there. I was also at the burial of Cath- erine, the daughter of Thomas Lightfoot, the wife of Ji.mes Miller, a worthy woman, who died soon after their arrival from Ireland, and was buried from our great meeting-house in Philadelphia, in a decent and exem- plarv manner. The latter end of the tenth month, Samuel Harrison, of New- York, and Oljadiah Laivrence, of Long- Island, favoured me with their company all night at our house, ■where we ciilled the family together, and had a season- able time to take leave, they of me, and I of them, and my family also ; and the next day divers very dear friends came with me to the boat, to the river side, to take leave, and we parted with hearts full of love and good will to each other. So I went on board at Wiccacoe, and had a cold passage down the river and bay, and left the Capes the first of the eleventh month (being the third voyage as master) and the 17th we passed the Tropic of Cancer. Hitherto we had a comfortable passage, and though we had a crowded ship, yet we had peace and quietness to a greater degree than I expected ; for men that use the seas, are, too generally, inconstant as the winds and waters they pass through. We had several meetings on board the vessel, in this voyage, and were at sea about four weeks, before we arrived at Barbadoes, and when we arrived, the markets were dull, which occasioned our stay so long as about twelve weeks. During which time, I had divers religious and good opportunities with those of our own, and other societies, I believ« to general satisfaction ; having the good wishes THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. 211 of people of all ranks, from the governor to the poor negroes ; all of whom 1 profess to love for Christ's sake. This voyage, in our return home, we had q full ship, and upwards of thirty passengers, and were on our pas- sage home about a month, and had good comfortable weather therein. Soon after I came home from Barbadoes, in the third month, 1730, I went to a meeting at Burlington, at which w IS married Thomas Evans ; Margaret Preston was also there. It was a good meeting, I crossed the river Del- -aware twice, visited a sick, person, and rode thirty miles that day. I also went to the Falls meeting, and after said meeting, appointed another at Neshaminy the same day ; after which, I went with Joseph Kirk bride to William Paxton's, and lodged : next morning Joseph Kirk bride rode with me home, and thence to Philadel- phia. I was divers times at Philadelphia, Frankfort, and Germantown, and at the general meeting at Frank- fort, where our friend John Cadwallader was married ; Isaac Norris, Samuel Preston, and Margaret his wife, and John Oxley, were at this meeting, with many other friends, a good share of whose company I got home with me, of which I was glad, ever loving and coveting the company of good men and women. I was now preparing for the fourth voyage, as master of the New Bristol Hope, for Barbadoes ; but it grevr harder and harder for me to leave my family, which, for many considerations, was very exercising ; yet I wa? obliged to continue going to sea, upon an honourable ac- count ; i. e. that no person might suffer by me, if I could help it ; and having got our vessel loaded, we sailed from Philadelphia the 9th of the fifth month. Next day- came to an anchor at Chester, and visited my old friend David Lloyd, who, with his good spouse Grace, treated me with tender, christian love ; the judge and I, being old acquaintance, and both of us in years, and he not well, we took leave, as if we were not to see one another any more, which happened accordingly, lor he died be. fore I returned. 212 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. We weighed anchor at Chester, and got down to El- senborough, and went to Saicm meeting (it being the firsit diiy ot the week, and 12ih of the month), with some of" our passengers and saiiors. The meeting was pretty lai ge, and I was earnestly concerned for their welfare, as I fjad often been when 1 was absent, and \v'as glad I was with them that day. Aftc r this meethig we proceeded on our voyage, and left the Capes the 15ih of the aforesaid moiith ; had small and contrary winds, and sometimes calms, until the 2d of the sixth month, and first day of the week, whea the wind was at south, and a hard gale, the sea high, and the ship having a great motio ;, therefore we had not a meeting as usual : many of the passengers were very sea sick ; aS for my part, I thought, if the Almighty was but with me, thiit would make up for all difficulties ; for in him was, and is, my life and chicfcst joy ; and, as an answer of peact in nn tossed condition, 1 sometimes liad comfortable times ; bein.^ inwardly refreshed with the lose and presence of God ; not only in the day, but also in I he night, in my sleep ; out of m hich I was awakened ore morning (in the morning watch), with these comfort- able words, " He took me to his banqueting- house, and his banner over me was love." These expressions were so fresh in my mind, for some days, that I could not for- bear but biess the holy name of the living Lord secretly in nn houl. The 16th of the sixtli month, we arrived at Barbadoes. The 17th there arose aboui midnight, a hard gale of wind, which, the (Baibadians call a luirricane, or tornado, and blew more than ten vessels ashore, great and small, which were wholly lost ; and our ship was very near the rocks, people looking every minute when she would come on shore : but through divine favour; we escaped, with only the boat stove against the rocks; I would have got on board, but that was impracticable ; but I got on the high- est place I could, from which I couid see them in the ship, and they mc on shore ; but we couid not, for the -vi(;ier:ce of the wind, hear one another; yet the} were so near the fort, where I stood, that I couid discern them THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 213 one from another, and they me from the multitude of peo- ple, (many being in the fort with me), I seeing the chief mate look towards me, waved m\ hat towards him, and he in answer, his to me ; then I made a signal to him to go to sea, which they immediately did, letting slip their cables and went to sea, without eitht r boat, anchor, or cables, and came in the next day, and got their cables and anchors again, to the great joy of many of the inhab- itants, whose hearty prayers were for our safety, as many of them told me. This among many others, I put in my calendar of deliverances, and preservations from immi- nent dangers, by the hand of Divine Providence. We stayed this time in Barbadoes about five weeks, leaving the island the 27th of the seventh month ; and there I met with Robert Jordan, my friend and brother in the work and fellowship of the gospel of Christ, who took his passage with us for Philadelphia, whose com- pany was pleasant and comfortable. One evening he was repeating some verses of the excellent Addison's, which I willingly transcribed, as well in memory of that great author, as also that they answered my state and con- dition in my watery travels, and in the extremes of heat and cold, and some poisonous airs, I have often breathed in. They are as followeth. I. How are thy servants hlest, O Lord ! How sure is dieir defence ! Eternal wisdom is their guide. Their help Omnipotence. II. In foreign realms, and lands remote, Supported by thy care ; Through burning climes I pass'd unhurt, And breath'd in tainted air. 214' THE JOUHWAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY* III. Thy mercy sweet*ned every soil, Made every region please. The hoary Alpine hills it warm'd. And smooth'd the Tyrrhene seas. IV. Think, Oh, my soul ! devoutly think. How, with affrighted eyes, Thou saw*st the wide, extended deep>. In all its horror rise. Confusion dwelt in every face, And fear in every heart, When waves on waves, and gulphs on gulphs^ O'ercame the pilot's art. VI. Yet then, from all my griefs, Oh, Lord ! Thy mercy set me free, Whilst, in the confidence of prayer, My soul took hold on thee, VII. For though in dreadful whirls we hung, High on the broken wave : I knew thou wert not slow to hear. Nor impotent to save. VIII. The storm was laid, the wind retir'd, Obedient to thy will ; The sea, that roar'd at thy command, At thy command was still. IX. In midst of dangers, fears, and death, Thy goodness I'll adore ; And praise thee for thv mercies past, And humbly hope for more. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2-15 X. My life, if thou preserv'st my life, Thy sacrifice shall be ; And death, if death must be my doom, Shall join my soul to thee. The 4th of the eighth month, we met with a hard gale of wind, which broke the tiller of our rudder, and split our bowsprit and mainsail, and overset many of our chests ; Robert Jordan narrowly missed his chest falling on him from one side of the ship to the other, which we looked upon as a merciful providence, and spoke of it to one another, remembering Addison's verses, which the night before were repeated. In this passage we saw three vessels only ; it was a blustering time, but the shortest from land to land that ever I had, being but fourteen days and fourteen hours, from the sight of Barbadoes to the sight of the main land : we arrived at Philadelphia, the 16th of the eighth month. In the ninth month, I proceeded on a fifth voyage, as master, to Barbadoes, and went down the river Delaware on a seventh day, and on first day, was at Chester meet- ing, at which time there was a burial of a child, and a large meeting ; our friends at Chester were glad to see me, and I them, and after meeting we set sail, and went down the river to Elsenborough, where we came to and landed Robert Worthington, whose son Ezra, was on board, and went to Barbadoes for his health, being in a deep consumption. This voyage we were on our passage about thirty-three days before we arrived at Barbadoes, when after doing my business, and visiting friends' meetings about five weeks, we put to sea on the 10th of the twelfth m.onth, and sailed along to leeward of divers islands, till we came to Anguilla, where we landed in expectation to get salt, but at this time there was not any to be had there. We came to an anchor here in the night, hoping to get to a harbour before it was dark ; but it soon being very dark,- 216 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKL^.Y. and coming into shoal water, we saw a large rock, and came to by the side of it, in about five or six fathom water, taking it to be a ship, and when it was day we saw our mistake, and that instead of a vessel, we were too nigh a rock, and the wind coming about, tailed our ship towards it so near, that we were sensible of touching twice ; I ordered the men to heave a little farther ahead, and so we lay clear till morning. When morning came, of which we were glad, several boats, with a cable, came to us, and the people advised us to put a spring on our cable, and cut it, that she might cast the right way ; which accordingly we did, and it had the desired effect ; so that we soon got into a very fine harbour, it being about a mile off. Many thanks were given by many of the people for this deliverance to the Almighty. George Leonard, the governor of this island, heard in the morn- ing, that a vessel was on the rocks, and the people were running with saws and axes, in order to break her uj:), if she could not be got off: the governor seeing them, sent a lieutenant with orders, that let her belong to what na- tion soever, they should help to get her off, if it could, be, and if she was likely to be made a wreck, he charge d them at their peril not to meddle with her, nor any thing belonging to her, until they had first come to terms with the master, which is worthy to be recorded. We stayed several days before we could get our an- chor ; for after we were in the harbour, it blew very hard for four or five days ; so that with our four oars we could not row our boat ahead, but watching for a calm one night, our people went out and got it, and then we went into the principal road or harbour in the island, called Croaker's- bay ; the name of that we came from was Rendezvous-bay, where lived a very kind friend of ours, named John Rumney, who, with his wife and family, treated us with great love, and courteously received us irito their house, and he went with me to the governor's, who was my old acquaintance and friend, who, with much love and tenderness, when he knew me, took me in his arms, and embraced me, and lovingly saluted me with a kiss of chaTity, and thanked God for our deliverance^ THE JOURNAL OF TItOMAS CHALKLEY. 2i7 and that he had lived to see me once more ; (I having- been there some years before), he was seventy odd years of age, as I remember, and had eighty odd who called him father ; they living much on roots and pulse, are very healthy in this island. I was here nine days, and had seven meetings with the people ; the longer I stayed the larger the meetings were ; so that I had some difficulty to leave them. Through the grace and gift of God I was helped to preach the gospel of Christ freely, and they received it both freely and thankfully, divers, if not all ; for their hearts and mine were very open one to another, the holy Lord's name be praised forever* The 3d of the first month, Ezra VVorthington died, and the 4th in the afternoon, he was buried on the plan- tation of John Rumney, near his house ; the governor and his son-in-law were at the burial, where I told them, that he was an inoffensive, innocent, sober young man, and that death was to be the end of us here, putting them in mind to remember their latter end. After I had done speaking, the governor said, that death was a debt due to nature, and that we must all pay it, and blessed is the man that in time truly prepares for it. This was a good expression for a man in his post, and worthy of my notice, as I thought. I was at one meeting, where was the governor and his daughter, with divers of the best and soberest people of this island ; it was a satisf ictory meeting, which ended in prayer ; and when I arose from my knees I found the governor on one side, ajid his daughter on the other side of me, both on their knees ; a posture in which people are too seldom found in tliis degenerate age of the world. On the 10th of the first month, we departed from the island of Anguilla, with a pleasant gale, and had fair weather and winds for several days. I spent some time of this voyage in reading, and met widi a passage of, or concerning friendship : the comfort and beauty of it, was notably set forth therein, yet most who treat upon that noble subject, place (too generally), the felicity thereof in humanity : whereas true and lasting friendship is of a F f 218 THE JOURNAL Of THOMAS CHALKLF.Y. divine nature, and can never be firmly settled without divine grace. Christ Jesus is the j)rime iriend of man- ki.ul, and from whom all true and lasting friendship springs and flows, as from a living fountain, himself being the head spring thereof; out of which holy fountain hath sprung as followeth : " Henceforth I call you not ser- vants, and ye are m\ friends, if ye do whatsoever I com- mand vou." And again, " By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." Oh, holy expressions ! much to be admired, and worthy every true and good man and woman's imitation and practice. Observe, that when they had done whatsoever Christ had commanded them, th^^n they were to be his fiiends, and they were not only to be his friends, but one an- other's friends, as he was their's ; and if occasion were, as he died, so they would die for one another. By this mark and truest seal of the truest friendship, all the world should know they belonged to Christ, that they were united to him, and in him united to one another. Noth- ing but disobedience and sin can ever separate this friend- ship. Against this friendship, which is in Christ, and ground- ed and founded upon him, the gates of hell can never prevail ; all friendship, upon any consideration, merely human, is brittle and uncertain, and subject to change or mutability, as experience hath taught in all ages. If any person hath a desire to have a particular friend, let that person be sure to make choice of Christ, and such as choose him have a friend, in whom all lasting peace, comfort and delight, joy and pleasure, is, and in him alone is to be enjoyed forever. The 20th cf the first month, being the first of the week, we had a comfortable meeting for divine worship, in which the goodness of God was extended to us as we were rolling on the mighty waters of the great deep, after which we had pleasant weather, and a fair wind, for sev- eral days. On the 26th, the wind sprung up at E. N. E. a hard gale, which lasted several days, and having but little sea room, for about thirty hours it blew so hard that wc THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLKY. 21^ could dress no victuals : I then thou,^ht on the words of Job, when he spoke to his impatient wife, saving;, " Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not n ceive evil also ?" (or that which is accounted or looks like evil in the eyes of man). In this time of exercise, the love and heavenly life of God, in his beloved Son, fill- ed my heart, and caused an overflowing of praises to his holy, glorious, and blessed name. Oh! it was exceed- ingly precious to my soul at "hat time. The first of the second month, we saw land, being driven to the southward nearly two hundred and fifty miles in this last hard weather ; but we soon after arrived at our desired port. After which I visited the meetings of friends at Phil- adelphia, Burlington, the Falls, Abinglon, Germantown, Bristol, and Frankfort, and found the people had been under a general visitation of the small-pox, insomuch that many hundreds, especially of children, were taken off the stage of this life, in the city of Philadelphia, and I was concerned to exhort friends in that city to bring their children to meetings, and educate them, when young, in the way they should go, that they might not depart from it when old ; and that he who had taken many awa)% could, if he pleased, take many more ; for though he might have laid down his rod at present, (the distemper in the city being much abated), he could soon take it up again. It is my belief, that the Lord Almighty will still continue to visit the city and people (if there is not a re- formation), with further, if not sorer, visitations, because he hath known them to do them good, and make them a blessing to many islands and people ; giving them the fatness of the earth, and that which is far more, the dew of heaven ; so that he may justly say to us, as to Israel of old, *' You have I known of all the families of the earth ; therefore I will visit upon you for all your iniquities." In the beginning of the fourth month, Robert Jordan was married to Mary, the widow of Richard Hill, (all three worthy friends). The meeting on this occasion was large, and the marriage solemnized in the fear of God. Divers friends were concerned to speak to the people, 22Q THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. and it was greatly desired that those present, who wefc then spoke to, might be married to Christ, the great lover of souls, who laid down his life, the most precious life that ever was on earth, and shed his precious blood for our salvation, A few days after which I again took shipping for the island of Barbadoes, being the sixth voyage, in the New Bristol Hope, and left the Capes of Delaware the eighth day of the first month. The 22d of the said month, I being weary, laid me down to rest, fell asleep, and was ^wakened out of it with these words, " Oh, heart in heaven ! it is an excellent thing to have an heart in heav- en !" Which words were comfortable to me, and left a sweetness on my mind all the day after, for which I was thankful, and greatly desired that my heart and mind might be set and fixed more and more on heaven and heavenly things, and that my treasure might be in heaven, that my heart might be there also, according to the doc- trine of my Saviour, Mat. vi. 20, 21. " Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, for where your treasure is,, there will your heart be also." The 27th day, being the first day of the week, we had a comfortable meeting, the weather being moderate ; and on the^ih of the fifth month, \vq arrived at Bridgetown in Barbadoes, where we imloaded part of our cargo, and from thence we went to Speight's-town ; where, after a stay of about five weeks, we accomplished our aft'airs. I also vi-iited all our friends meetings, and some several times, in which we were edified and comforted, and divers of us had occasion to bless the holv name of God for his mercy to us. Before we left the island, there happened a great storm or hurricane, Avhich did much damage to the ships, and to the island, blowing down many houses, and spoiling much provisions, destroying almost all the plantain trees on the island, which is a very wljolesome and pleasant fruit, and much used by many instead of bread. I was clearing out the vessel when this storm happen- ed, and being twelve miles off, could not hear of or con- cerning her, but thought it altogether unlikely that sjie THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 321 should ride out so great a storm, in so bad a harbour or road, it being open to the sea, and such a storm as had not been known for many years, and some said, never but once, to their knowledge, though much more damage hath at some other times been done to the shipping, by- reason that the hardest of the wind was not that way, which was most dangerous to them in Carlisle-bay, where they mostly lay ; for they all got out to sea, ex- cept two or three that were lost by the violence of the weather. It was indeed a very dismal time, the vessels which rode it out were much damaged, and one being loaded, ready to sail, sunk right down, and was lost in the bay. When I had cleared our ship, I set forward in order to see what was become of her ; but the floods were so great, and the ways were so bad, I could not with- out some danger get to her that night ; but next morn- ing set out from Joseph Gamble's, and, to my admira- tion, from the top of a hill (on which a house in the storm was blown flat to the ground), I saw our ship at an an*. chor, having rode out the storm, with one sloop by her, for which cause my soul was humbly thankful. On the 17th of the said month, with some more than ordinary fatigue, we got up our anchor, and took in our boat, and got our passengers and provisions on board, the sea breaking high on the shore, so that several of our people and our boat were in jeopardy of being lost ; but at length being all on board, we set sail, and having sailed slowly about six or seven miles, we met will'i a sloop which had lost her mast in the storm, and next morning we met w ith two large London ships, which had put out to sea, not venturing to ride it out. We had fine pleasant weather for several days after we left the island, and on the 22d of the sixth month, being the first day of the week, we had a meeting for the wor- ship of God, which was comfortable and satisfactory to us. The 4th and 5th of the seventh month we had very fiesh gales from the north-east to the nurth, and were near a water- spout, about a stone throw ofi", which surprised some on board, on which I came out of my cabin, and saw the water run up ^ut of the sea into the cloud, as -J22 THE JOURNAL 99 THOMAS CHALKLEY. plain as ever I saw the water run into the river, till it fill- ed the cloud with blackness, and then it would break in great quantities into the sea, which is dangerous, when falling on vessels. The 5th of the month, being the first day of the week, we had a good religious meeting for divine wor- ship, wherein our people were earnestly exhorted to a holy life, and to be earnestly concerned for the true faith, which is in Christ; that faith which works by love, and is the evidence of things not visibly seen, being man- ifest by works of piety and virtue. In this vo} age we were twenty-two days from the island of Barbadoes to the sight of Cape-Henry, in Virginia, and had a pleasant passage, in the main, to Philadelphia, where, in the sev- enth month, was held our yearly meeting, at which I had a desire to be, my watery employment having hindered my being at a yearly meeting for several years. At this meeting I met with my old acquaintance and dear friends, John Richardson, of Yorkshire, and Paul Johnson, of Dublin, both on a gospel visit to the brethren and friends in America. The meeting was large, and attend- ed with divine grace and goodness, and ended with thanksgiving and praise to God and the Lamb. While our ship was loading I was at several meetings in the country, as at Abington, Germantown, Fair-hill, and Frankfort, in Philadelphia county ; and at the Falls of Delaware, Buckingham, Neshaminy, and Bristol, in Bucks county. I was also at Burlington, at the mar- riage of William Callender, Jun. of Barbadoes, with Cciiharine Smith, daughter of Daniel and Mary Smith, of Burlington. On the 16th of the ninth month, I proceeded on the seventh voyage to Barbadoes, in the ship New Bristol Hope, as master, having on board several passengers, one of whom (Elizabeth Mariindalc) was on the passage convinced of the principles of truth, and afterwards suf- fered, in divers respects, for mi' king profession with us. We had a long passage down the river, the wind be- ing high and boisterous. On the 22d of the ninth month we left the capes of Delaware, and saw the island of THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLBY. 223 Barbadoes the 21st of the tenth month, before it was day, and in the afternoon came to an anchor in the bay of Speigiit's-town. In this voyage I met with an acci- dent that was painful and troublesome to me, which hap- pened in a hard gale of wind : I being to the windward, and the ship having a large motion, and missing my hold, was canted from my place to the other side of the vessel, against the edge of a chest, and so bruised my leg that I could not do my business as I usually did, which was a great hindrance and disappointment to me : but in about a month's time, with the assistance of some of my friends there, I got indifferently through it, and also rode to Bridgetown, and had several meetings there. I was also at several good and comfortable meetings at Speight 's-town, where we had one the day we sailed, being the 21st of the eleventh month; and on the sea- shore parted with our friends in great love, and set sail, the wind being north-east, so that we could weather the island of Martinico ; we therefore sailed along by the islands of Dominico and Guadaloupe, and had calms un- der the islands, and sometimes the eddy winds from off the mountains or high lands, would take the sails, and carry the ship clear round, which made it tedious. The 23d and 24th we passed by the islands of Montserrat, Antigua, Rodondo, Christopher's, Nevis, Bartholomew, Statia, Saba, Barbuda, Martin's, and Anguilla, the winds and weather being fair and pleasant. The 25th in the evening, it began to be hazy ; and in the night we split our main-top- sail, which cost us a great deal of labour, and loss of time, before we could get it mended and set again. We had pretty fair weather about twenty days, until we came on our own coast, and into sound- ings, when a hard gale of wind springing up easterly, set on the shore, was dangerous, and we had a long night coming on; but through the favour of the Al- mighty, we got off from the land. In the midst of the danger of this storm, my soul sung praises to the Lord. The 12th of the twelfth month, we met with another easterly storm, being in about thirty fathom water, it blew and rained very hard, and was also exceeding cold, and 224 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. our coming from a hot climate made it more hard to bear. In this storm we saw divers lights, which the sailors call corpusants, one of them was exceeding bright, and sat, as near as I can compute it, about half an hour on our main-top- mast head, plain to the view of all the ship's company, divers of whom said they never saw they like, and I think I never heard of o^ saw the like before. The storm continued all night till day, when it abated, and, it being the first of the week, we had a comfort- able meeting, in which the people on board were advised to get divine and heavenly learning-, and not^to be fools in religion, or in the things of God, nor to hate his true knowledge ; for if they had all the natural knowledge, and brightest natural parts in the world, they would be but fools without the true fear of God, which the wise king Solomon says, is the beginning of wisdom. The 27th of the month we saw Cape Henlopen, hav- ing been 27 days from the island of Barbadoes : this was a close, foggy day, we could see but very little before us, and had like to have been a- ground on the shoals, which they call the Hen and Chickens, but went between them and the Cape, in three fathom water ; the wind blowing hard at south, we went up the bay by the lead, for we could not see land ; and the gale being so fresh, we got to Bombay-hook, from our capes, in about six hours, which is accounted twenty leagues ; where we came to an anchor, and there met with abinidance of ice. Merciful was the deliverance and preservation we met with from the hand of the Almighty this voyage ; may we ever gratefully remember it ! About a league above Bombay-Hook, when the fog broke up, we found ourselves close on the Jersey shore; and the wind sprung lip at north-west, and obliged us to come to an anchor ; where the ice carhe down upon us, which surprized some of U8 much. The sudden coming out of so hot a cli- mate, into one so severely cold, had a bad effect on most of our ship's comj^any ; and, for my own part, I had a sore fit of the phthisic, and was, at times, almost breath- less, and thought I must die, for I could hardly breathe, or speak ; but yet I resolved, as long as I was capable THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKI.IA'. 225 of reflection, I would think of God, and my beloved Jesus; in which thoughts and nieditatioiis I found some comfort and consolation. I sat up for divers nights, not being able to lie down for want of breath ; and I could not drink any strong drink, as rum, wine, ale, or punch, such as the sailors drank ; but, instead thereof, I drank sage tea, which was very helpful to me. The next day the ice came down more and more upon us, and we feared to put back, because, if we had gone a-ground in the bay, the ice might have demolished us ; so we took the most convenient time we could, and got up our anchor, with some difficulty, and stood for Reedy- Island, one of the best harbours upon Delaware ; but, the wind and tide failing us, we could not get in ; and the ebb brought down the ice mightily on us, so that it took a- way the head of our vessel, and cut her sides very much. The next tide we got into the harbour, and lay close to Reedy-Island, making the ship fast on shore. While we lay here, several vessels came to us, and fastened on shore as we did. The ice drove one vessel on us, and broke our spritsail yard. Here I went on shore, where the people were very kind to us, particularly the sheriff:' of the county, John Gooding, and his wife and family. I went also to the house of John M'Cool, who, with his wife, were very tender in their care and love towards me ; bathing my swelled and benumbed limbs until the frost was pretty well out of them. The good will, and tender love and care, I here met with, affects m}' mind in the noting of it : I pray the Most High, whom I love and serve, to be their rewarder. I had two meetings at our meeting-house at George's Creek, where were people of divers persuasions, who gave good attention. For these meetings I was truly thankful ; for though, through the extreme cold, I could hardly speak when on board, I now spoke freely, much to my admiration, and I believe to the people's satisfac- tion, more than is proper for me to mention, wherefore I praise God. When the weather was a little more open, and the ice gone, we sailed up the river to Philadelphia, where I was joyfully received by my friends ; and while G sr ^26 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, the vessel was repairing and fitting for another voyage, I was not idle, but visited friends' meetings at Pliil idel- phia, Burhngton, Abington, Germantovvn, Bybury, Fair- Hill, and Frankfort ; I)eing sometimes at four or five meetings ai week. I was also at Haddonfield and Eve- sham meetings, in West-Jersey ; both good and com- fortable meetings, and will not easily be forgotten ; for therein God was graciously pleased to visit us with his word, blessed be his name. The 4th of the third month we again set sail for Speight's-town, in Barbadoes ; and the 6th of the month, about six in the morning, left the Capes of Delaware. From the time we left sight of the Capes of Delaware, to the sight of Barbadoes, was twenty -five days, which was the quickest voyage that ever I had in this ship ; in which time we had three meetings for the public worship of Almighty God, and to me they were beneficial ; and for God's goodness, I could do no less than return praise to him, who alone is worthy forever. After I had done my business at Barbadoes, and visit- ed friends' meetings on the 5th of the fifth month, I sailed for South-Carolina, touched at the island of Chris- topher's, and landed some passengers there. From thence we went to sea, and the same night we had a storm, though we suffered but little, the wind being for us, so that we went before it, and, after it was over, we had a pleasant passage of about fourteen days to the coast of Carolina ; and when we saw the land, the wind came against us, which made some of our passengers very un- easy ; but in meditating on the Infinite Being, I was fav- oured with inward comfort and strong consolation, so that I was humbly thankful, and praised God. We were prevented by contrary winds, and a strong current, from getting into Charleston ; and while we were beating about the coast, we met with a vessel which came from thence, and gave us intelligence that many people died suddenly, and that they buried ten or twelve in a day. Hearing such news, and the wind being still against us, our passengers, who intended for Carolina, iconcluded to go for Philadelphia : so we tacked about, TUB JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 227 and stood for Delaware Bay, and then we had a fresh gale ahead again for several days, and spending so much time on the coast, our water was far expended, and we agreed to come to an allowance of it, a quart each man for twenty- four hours, for several days before we got in. We were about five weeks on our passage from Barbu- does to Delaware river. Soon after our arrival at Philadelphia, we got our ship on the ways, in order to refit and sheath her, in which time I travelled into several counties, and had many re- ligious meetings in divers places, in which I had good satisfaction ; and my old acquaintance and friends said, they rejoiced to see me again, after my sea voyages. I was thankfid in my heart for the good will of my good Master, and of my friends, in those journies, which was, and I hope ever will be, better to mc tlian choice silver, and fine gold. The winter setting in about a month sooner than usual, many vessels were detained from going to sea, being frozen up ; also many vessels could not come from sea up the river, so that a great damp was put on trade, and the frost coming so suddenly, many people were taken with colds, and many died in both the prov- inces of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. My dear friend and kind landlord, Paul Preston, died about this time, who, on his dying bed, said, " He had no desire to live, but to do good, and that it had been his care to keep a conscience vgid of offence towards God, and to all men, which now was his comfort." The hard weather continu- ing, I found an exercise and concern on my mind to visit friends' meeting in the county of Bucks, in Pennsylvania, and the county of Burlington, in West-Jersey ; in both of which I was at above twenty meetings, in about twenty days. In this journey I was favoured with the grace and goodness of the divine hand to a greater de- gree than I was worthy of, though I was sometimes ex- ceeding poor in my spirit, and, in my own judgment, very weak for service and labour, both in body and mind; our meetings, considering the severe season, were large, and, I hope, they were to general edification. 228 THE JOITRXAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. On the 25th of tlic tcntli month, being the reputed 1)irth-day of our Lord Jesus Christ, at a httle town uear the Falls, called Bordento\\ u, we had a meeting, where ue\ er any Irad been before of our friends, in one of the liouses uewly built by Joseph Borden, the proprietor of the place : he entertained us lovir.gly at his house, when he Mas so generous as to offer ground for a grave yard, and to buiid a meeting-house on, and a handsome sum of money towards building it, though he did r.ot make pro- fession to be of our society. Some that were at this meet- ing, who did not profess with us, came over the creek on the ice to Isaac Horner's, in the evening, \\ here we liad a satisfactory meeting, in which God, through Christ, was glorified. Daniel Stanton, my wife's sister's son, accom- panied me in this journey, -whose company and ministry was acceptable, both to me arid friends, and we had meet- ings at the Falls, Bristol, Middletown, Wright's-town, Bordentown, Crossw icks, Mansfield, Upper and Lower Springfield, Mount-Holly, Rancocas, Evesham and Ches- ter, and divers evening meetings at several friends' houses. It now being a sickly time, I was often sent for to visit the sick, in which visits we were comforted, and God's holy name was praised. On the 18th of the eleventh month, I was sent for to Bristol, to visit Ennion Williams, who was dangerously ill, and to Burlington, to the burial of Elizabeth, the wife of Jonathan Wright, who was buried from the great meeting-house at Burlington. The meeting was very large, she being well beloved by her neighbours and ac- quaintance, being a woman much^.'^iven to hospitality, (and indeed many of the friends of Burlington, have ex- ceeded in that respect, the most that ever I have observ- ed in my travels), she was a pattern of piety, a loving obliging wife, and tender, careful mother, a kind neigh- bour, a loving and faithful friend, and so continued to the end ; for some of her dying words were, that she de- sired her love might be remembered to all her friends, which was done openly in the said meeting, and tenderly affected many. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 229' After I came home, I was at the marriag-e of WiUiam Parker and Elizabeth Gilbert, at which marriage was our worthy, ancient friend, John Richardson, with divers other European friends. The meeting was large and edifying. The river still continuing frozen op, I had a desire to visit my friends and brethren in Chester county, whom I had not seen for some years ; and in order thereto, in the beginning of the twelfth month, I, Avith my kinsman, Daniel Stanton, set out from Phil.'Kklphia, and went to Newtown, where we had a meeting next day, being the first of the week, and afterwards an evening meeting at Evan Lewis' ; from thence we went to tlie monthly meet- ing at Providence, on third day to Middletown, fourth day to Concord, fifth day to Birmingham, sixth day to London-Grove ; after which we had an evening meeting at a widow's house ; from thence we travelled on seventh day to Nottingham, and were at a large meeting there on first day, and had an evening meeting at a friend's house, where some persons came, who had never been at a meet- ing of friends before ; on second day we had a meeting at Susquehannah ferry, to which divers people came over the ice, and it was a good opportunity to many of them. Third day we had a large meeting at West- Nottingham, and in the evening at William Brown's, and next we had a large meeting at New-Garden, and at Michael Light- foot's house we met with two friends from Ireland, Mimgo Bewley, and Samuel Stephens, who were now proceeding on the course of their religious visit to friends in Maryland, Virginia, and North- Carolina. From thence I went to visit my old friend and acquaintance, Ellis Lewis, who had a desire to see me : we had an evening meeting in his chamber, to our mutual comfort and refreshment ; and next day had a very large meeting in the meeting-house at Kennet ; after which we went to Concord to the quarterly meeting for the county of Ches- ter, and were at three meetings there, and likewise had three evening meetings at friends' houses ; at which meetings we had the company of my kinswoman Alice Alderson, and her companion, Margaret Coupland, who 230 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. were lately come from the North of England, to visit friends in this and the adjacent provinces. We went on third day to the general meeting at Prov- idence, which was very large ; Joshua Fielding and Ebenezer Large were there ; and we had an evening meeting at Rebecca Minshall's ; and next went to Chi- chester, where we had a larger meeting than I expected, considering the season ; we lodged at John Salkeld's ; and on the fifth day we had a good, open meeting at Ches- ter, and, in the evening, another at Grace Lloyd's ; next day had a meeting at Springfield, which I believe will be remembered by some that were there, when we do not see one another ; afterwards we travelled to Philadel- phia. In the year 1732, arrived Thomas Penn, one of the proprietors of Pennsylvania, and son of the truly hon- ourable William Penn, governor and proprietor of this province. A wise man, a good christian, and a mild gov- ernor : a great promoter of piety, and virtue, and of good men. May this his son walk in his steps ! In the first month was our general spring meeting, at which were several public friends from England, viz. John Richardson, Alice Alderson, and Margaret Coup- land. The meeting was large and edifying, the said friends having service therein to general satisfaction. The 2d of the second month, I proceeded on a voy- age to Barbadoes, (it being the first in the snow Barba- does- Packet, a vessel built on purpose for me). We got to the capes the 20th of the second month, in the evening, when we were obliged to come to anchor ; and the 21st we put out to sea, but the wind being against us, and looking like windy weather, I concluded to come to un- der our cape, and wait for a foir wind : as soon as our snow came to, we got our boat out, and went to Lewis- tow^n ; and next day, being first day, we had a meeting in the court-house. In this town is an Episcopal, and Presbyterian meeting-house ; but neither of their teach- ers were that day in town, aixl divers of the people were glad of a meeting, and I had a good opportunity with them. After meeting I went on board, and weighed an,- THE JOURNAL OF TH0MA8 CHALKLEY. i}31 chor, and had a fair wind for above a week after ; in which time we overtook the ship Amity, Bowl- ing, master, near the latitude of Bermuda ; where we had smart gales of wind, which obliged us to carry our topsail double reefed : and, after having been at sea 27 days and one night, in which time we had several meet- ings, we saw the island of Bdrbadoes; though for the most part we had contrary winds ; but all was well, and God blessed, who is forever worthy. The 20th of the fourth month, having done my busi- ness, and also visited friends' meetings, we sailed for Philadelphia ; and on the 25th of the fourth month, be- ing first day, we had a seasonable and serviceable meet- ing, wherein the Almighty was worshipped and praised, and the people exhorted to sobriety and temperance. We were about twenty days from Barbadoes to Phil- adelphia. After having stayed at home about six weeks, and visited the meetings of friends in divers places, to mine and their satisfaction, on the 28th of the sixth month, I proceeded on another voyage for the island of Barba- does. We left sight of our capes on the 31st of the said month. The winds were, for the most part, con- trary, and, before we got into the trade wind, we met with two hard gales ; the last of which was a kind of hurricane, in which we could carry no sail at all, but let the vessel lie to the mercy of the seas, or rather to the mercy of Him that made the seas, and all that is therein, and in the earth also. In this storm we lost a square top- mast, and divers other utensils belonging to the vessel ; but all our people were well and safe. This voyage we had several comfortable religious meet- ings on board, in which we were exhorted to prepare for another and better world, this being so very uncert tain and momentary, and full of various exercises, temp- tations, and afflictions. I had on board three Whitehaven sailors, William Towerson, W^illiam Trimble, and William Atkinson, and I do not remember that I heard any of them swear an oath during the whole voyage, \vhich I thought wor- 232 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. thy to stand on record, because it is so rare in sea-farint^ men. About the beginning of the eighth month (being in the latitude of Barbadoes) the thoughts ot my leav- ing my family and habitation, and many of my loving relations, and near and dear friends (as at divers other times also) made me pensive and sorrowful ; but it being on a principle o^ justice, and sometimes meeting with the presence and goodness of God, I was enabled to do my affciirs and business, and forbore to appear sorrowful as much as I possibly could, or to be of a sad counte- nance in the sight of men ; but to him, who knows all things, and sees in secret, I poured out my soul in all my afflictions, for he only is able to help me. I met with some who untruly censured me, as covetous of the things of this world, or to be rich ; and that, for the sake of these outward things, I might venture my life, imtil I might lose it. Really, as to my life, it hath long been my desire to be ready to resign it, and is so still ; and, as to those outward things, so far as I know, my heart is clear. Food and raiment, and to be clear and even with the world, having rather to give than receive, is all the grandeur I desire ; and if that be not granted, I hope to be contented without it, and to be thankful. I look upon crowns and sceptres, and all the fine things of this world, that are of the nature of it, but as trifles, and diminutive things, in comparison of a house and kingdom eternal in the heavens. In this voyage, as usual, I read in the holy scriptures, and met with strong consolation therein, especially in the New Testament ; I also read much in the works of that eminent judge, and good christian, Mathew Hale. Tlie 7th of the eighth month, we arrived at Barba- does, stayed three weeks and one day, and had divers religious meetings. I hastened to accomplish my affairs before winter, it coming on, and the time of the year dangerous for sailing on our coasts. On the 30th of the eiHith month, we left the island of Barbadoes, bound to Philadelphia; and on the 11th of the ninth month it pleased God to favour us with a gracious opportimity to Avorship him; wherein \\as declared to the ship's convpany THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. '233 the nature and advantage of good, and the fountain from whence it flows or springs ; as also the nature and disad- vantage of evil ; the one being or springing from God, and the other proceeding from Satan, or the devil, who is the root of all evil : and that men might be left without excuse, God hath sent the divine and supernat- ural light of his holy spirit, to shew to mortals what is good, and what is evil ; in order that they might embrace the good, and refuse the evil. The 21st of the ninth month we had a very hard gale Tof wind at north-west, which blew so hard, that it put us by from sailing, so that we were obliged to lay her to the wind ; for by the violence thereof we could not carry any sail, and it was so dark that we could neither see stars nor one another, nor hear one another, with- out we were very near, the seas rising very high : in- deed, the long, stormy, and dark nights, were very dis- mal, and some of our goods got loose in the hold. In the beginning of the night, about the seventh hour, Philip Kearney, my apprentice, fell into the sea, and was lost, which was a deep affliction to us for divers oonsiderations. The 25th we saw the land, and next day we came to anchor in Delaware bay. The loss of this lad was a cause that we were not so joyful, as is usual for people fo be when come to the shore. The latter end of the tenth month I went the third voy- age, commander of the Barbadoes Packet, from Philadcl- phia, bound to Barbadoes : we were towed through the ice by two boats from Thomas Master's wharf, and in two days got to Reedy-Island; from whence we sailed down Delaware bay, where we lay two nights, the wind being contrary, blowing hard ; the nights being long, the days very short, and weather sharp ; we left our capes in the night, it being dangerous lying in the bay ; and after toeing out several days, we had favourable \\ inds, and pleasant weather ; but when we got into the trade wind, it blew hard, and mostly against us ; so that the first land we saw \vas the island of Christopher's, where we ar- rived in twcntv davs from our capes ;- and the market If h 234 THE JOURMAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. for provisions bciiit^ at that time better than any other of those islands, and the property of the vessel mostly be- longing to me, and the cargo generally consigned to me, I disposed of part of it. Here being no meeting of our society on this island, I had meetings on board the ves- sel in the harbour, and divers from the shore, and several masters of vessels, came to our meetings, the sno^v ha- ving large accommodations for such an occasion ; and, so far as I could understand, the people were generally- satisfied, and spoke well of our meetings. Of late times, and also in this voyage, meeting w ith many losses and crosses, and much afflictions, and vari- ous exercises, I was ready to say in my heart, Lord, why am I thus afflicted, now in my declining years, since, thou knowest, I love thee above all things, and that I would not willingly or knowingly offend thee, my great and dear Lord ? It was answered (as though vocally spoken), My only begotten and beloved Son, who never offended me, suffered much more. This word being such an evident truth, I begged patience to go through all my sufferings and afflictions, so that at last I might live with Christ in the glorious kingdom of God forever, where I might always bless and praise his holy name. Five or six days after our arrival at this island, a ves- sel, that came out five or six days before us, arrived, she meeting with the same boisterous weather as we did, 5'et we made our passage ten or eleven days sooner. Di- vers other vessels, bound to Barbadoes, put in here, through these contrary winds ; and when I saw others in the like circumstances with us, I was the more thank- ful for being preserved safe, and so soon to this place ; yet it was a considerable loss and sore trial not to get to Barbadoes, the island I was bound to, and a great disap- pointment to me and many others. At this island, a person whose name was Galloway, a man of a great estate, hearing that I kept meetings on board the vessel, kindly invited me to have a meeting at his house, and said he would give notice of it to divers of the gentlemen (as he called them) of the island, tell- ing me, that I should be welcome to his house, which THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. USS was much more convenient than the vessel ; but I was not very forward to accept of my friend Galloway's kind offer, being sensible of my own weakness and inward poverty, so that I made several excuses to evade it; but he obviated them all. 1st. I asked him, " If he could bear the reproach of having a quaker's meeting at his house ?" He answered, " Yes ; there are good and bad of all socie- ties." 2dly. I asked, *' If his wife would like it, or be will- ing that a meeting should be in the house ?" He said, *' She desired it, and would be very willing." 3dly. I asked, "If he thought he could sit in silence ?" He told me " He believed he could." I then told him, " I was obliged to him for his kind and friendly offer, and, God willing, I intended to come, and tell my people of the ship's company to come also, and desired him to give notice of it ;" which he did : and there was a large, satisfactory meeting. Oh ! may the Almighty sanctify it to some souls, is my desire. He and his wife were both very courteous to me, and invited many of his rich friends and relations. His wife's father was a judge in this island, of good repute. Divers people, of several professions, were at this meet- ing, and many expressed their being glad of it. An at- torney at law said, " He was thankful for the words he heard that day, and if I would stay with them, he would always come to our meetings." One judge Mills was at this meeting, and very kindly invited me to his house. Some meeting me next day, said, " They were sorry they were not there." The mistress of the house told divers of the people, who were persons of note, " That they should remember what they had heard ;" and spoke it with a religious concern, as it seemed to me. When I went to this meeting, I was very poor, and in much fear, speaking with a great concern on my mind, for the people's salvation, and that God, through Christ, might be glorified. After this meeting, it was, as though a voice, said unto me, " How dost thou know but for this cause, and for this meeting, thou art brought here to this island, though against thy will ?" The people told me that they 236 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. did not remember that there ever was a meeting of friends before on this island. The meeting had this ef- fect, that the people had a better opinion of our society, than they had before. The subject in this meeting was, the excellency of the gospel dispensation, above that of the law, in that it brought us to the law, went through the law, and was above the law, and far from destroying the law, but fulfilled it ; for proof of which, they were re- ferred to Christ's most excellent sermon, which he preach- ed on the moUnt. Mat. v From the island of Christopher's I purposed, God willing, for Barbadoes ; which I apprehended would be a troublesome vo}age, it being about one hundred leagues to w^indward, and a strong current against us. On the lOih of the twelfth month, we sailed towards Barbadoes ; and the wind being ahead, and blowing hard, we tarried two nights at the island of Lucia, where we took in wood and water : the people here were mostly French, and were very civil to us. The 21st we put out again to sea ; but the wind and current being against us, obliged us to go into the har- bour from whence we came, and tarry for an oppor- tunity more favourable. While we were in this harbour, which is a very good one, several vessels came in on the like occasion ; and a vessel that left Christopher's about three hours after us, came here three days since we did. We went out again, in order to proceed to Barbadoes ; but, as before, the current was so strong against us, and the wind also, that we could not get forward on our way ; wherefore we put back again to Christopher's, and by the way, called at Antigua, where I had an open, satis- factory meeting, for which I was truly thankful, and so were some, not of our society, of whom there were di- vers, and some who had not been at our meetings be- fore. The next day we arrived again at Christopher's, and there unloaded the remainder of our cargo, though much against my mind. After having sold the most of our cargo at 13asseterrc, we went to Sandy-point, and there THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. SSi" sold the remainder, and took in our loading for Philadel- phia. In loading our vessel, judge Brown was my very good friend, and helpful to me therein, for which I think my- self much obliged to him. While we lay here, 1 had a meeting on board our ves- sel, to which came five masters of vessels. It was a good meeting, though I spoke to them in much misery and pain, having very angry, painful sores on my legs, occasioned by a fall in getting out of the boat, the seas running high, and through the violence of the waves, I fell across the boat, and broke both my shins very griev- ously. The 31st of the first month, 1734, we had another meeting on board our vessel, to which came several from other vessels, and some from the shore, among whom was a young baronet, and his host (a tavern-keeper), with him, who at first behaved airily, but after some time, he was more sober, and seemed respectful at part- ing. I was invited to have a meeting next first day on board the ship King George, a large vessel ; the master told nie his cabin was large, and would accommodate many more than mine ; but we did not stay so long as till the first day. After this meeting was over, the master of the large > ship came on board, and said he was sorry he had not come sooner, so as to have had the opportunity to have been at the meeting. From Christopher's we set sail for the island of An- guilla, and had a meeting at the governor's house on a first day. We stayed at Anguilla three days, and there took on board some bags of cotton on freight, and sailed from thence the 10th of the second month. The, gov- ernor of this island, whose name was George Leonard, told me, that he should live and die in our principles, saving that he must defend his people. But he did not consider, that his defence might destroy both him and them, and that such defence was directly contrary to Christ's doctrine and practice. A remarkable and dis- 238 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CUALKLEY. mal passage he related to nie, that, some days before, a vessel came from the island of Saltitudas, (which went there to take in salt), the people going on shore, the master told him, that there lay at the landing the heads of above twenty men on one side of the path, and the quarters of them on the other ; which so surprised them, that they made the best of their way to Anguilla, where they related this dismal story, and supposed the slain to be Britons, by their appearances, and that they were de- stroyed by the Spaniards, who are known to be cruel to them. This action being far from the spirit of Christian- ity, is a reproach to the actors thereof. Not far from Anguilla is an island they call St. John's, the inhabitants of which are Dutch : the negroes there lately rose and took the island, killed the people, spoiled their plantations, and burnt their houses ; I lodged at the house of a person who went to subdue those negroes, who were too strong for him and his company, and the negroes killed divers of them, and among them killed this man's two sons, for which their mother and sisters were in bitter mourning, when I was at their house. The thoughts of the bloodshed, and vast destruction, which "war makes in the world, caused me to cry in my heart, *' How long. Oh, Lord ! thou holy, just, and true God, will it be till nation lift up the sword no more against na- tion, nor the people learn war any more." When I came home from this voyage, which was the 30th of the second month, I met with the sorrowful news of the death of my only son, George, a beloved, dear youth, who was but ten years and seven days old, when he died, and, as he was much beloved for the sweetness of his nature and disposition, so he was greatly lamented by many who were acquainted with him. I have this account to leave concerning him, not so much that he was my son, as to excite other youths to serve and fear the Lord, and to love him above all, and that they might remember their Creator in their youthful days, that It might be well with them in this world, and when time here to them shall be no more. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLET. 2^9 He was a lad much inclined to read the holy scrip- tures, and other good books, especially religious ones ; and was always obliging, obedient, and loving, to his pa- rents, and ready and willing to do any service he could to his friends ; any little services in his power he cheerfully performed, and took delight in ; he was very diligent, and ready to go to religious meetings, and an entire lover of religious people. In his sickness he behaved himself more like a wise man, than a youth of that age, bearing his pain and sickness with a great deal of pa- tience. I being in another part of the world, he would gladly have seen me, but said, he should never see me any more, and therefore desired his mother to remember his dear love to his father, and tell him he was gone to his Heavenly Father. He was very fervent in prayer in the time of his sickness, and prayed that God would pre- serve his people all the world over. One time, when in great misery and pain, he prayed to Christ, saying. Sweet Jesus ! blessed Jesus ! give me patience to bear my mis- ery and pain, for my misery is greater than I can well bear ! Oh ! come, sweet Jesus, why art thou so long a coming ? I had rather be with thee than in the finest place in all the world. Many religious expressions he spoke on his death bed, greatly to the satisfaction and melting of his friends and relations who came to see him in his illness ; one day he said, My misery and pain is very great, but what would it be if the wrath of God was in my soul ? He believing in the love of God in Christy made him desirous of being with him, and seeing the joy that was set before him, thought the time long to be with Jesus, as knowing that then he would be out of all mis*^ ery and pain. His heart was full of love to his relations,- acquaintance, and friends, who came to see him in his ill- ness ; and full of tender sweetness and divine love, he took his last leave of them, which greatly affected many. This was one of the most pinching exercises I ever met in all my days ; but as he said in his illness, so I now write : The wisdom of the Lord is wonderful. One time in this dear child's sickness he said,. Oh ! the good 2'40 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. hand of the Lord help me, give me ease, and conduct mc safe, i. e. to God's kingdom, uttering this verse : Sweet Jesus, give me ease, for mercy I do crave ; And if thou'lt give me ease, then mercy I shall have. Although this was a great and sore exercise, and deep affliction to me, in losing this promising youth, and my only son ; yet, considering that he went off the stage of life like a solid, good christian, it was made tolerably- easy to me ; for he departed this life in much brightness and sweetness, and more like an old christian, than a youth of ten years of age. It was usual for me to advise his mother not to set her affections too much upon him, thinking he was too good to live long in this world, and too ripe for heaven, to stay long here on earth, or in this world of sorrow and misery. This dear and tender youth, when reading, (to which he was much inclined), if he met with any things that af- fected him, either in the sacred writings, or other good authors, he would write it down, and get it by heart ; he was, more than common, affectionately concerned for his mother, doing whatever he could freely and cheerfully to serve her, and told her not to do divers things which he thought too much for her, saying. Mother, let me do it, if I were a man thou should not do any thing at all, (meaning as to labour). My dear wife being very in- dustrious, and apt to overdo herself at times : and she being affected with his filial love and care for and to- wards her in his father's absence, it caused her some- times to turn about and weep, in consideration of his great care for and love to her. I thought a little mem- orandum of the life and death of this religious lad was worthy recording, in order to stir up other youth to obe- dience and love to their parents, who begat them, and carefully and tenderly nourished and brought them up ; and also to love and obey God, from whom they have their life, breath, and being, and to believe in Christ, who died for them ; who is the glorious light of all the nations THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 241 of them that are saved, and walk therein, accordhig to sacred writ. As noted above, he got several pieces by heart out of the Bible, and other religious writings, first writing them with his pen : two short ones I may recite, of which na- ture were divers others, which pcrad\ enture may be ed- ifying to some, who may cast their eye thereon. One place which much affected my mind, that he wrote down, and got by heart, was the 15th verse of the 57th chapter of that evangelical prophet Isaiah: " For thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eter- nity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place ; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of tlie humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Another little piece was five verses, which, among others, he wrote, and got by heart, viz. As one day goes, another comes, And sometimes shews us dismal dooms, As time rolls on, new things we see, Which seldom to us do agree ; Though now and then's a pleasant day, 'Tis long a coming, soon away ; Wherefore the everlasting truth Is good for aged and for youth. For them to set their hearts upon ; For that will last till time is done. I have now but one only daughter, Rebecca, left me out of twelve children, except my wife's son and daugh- ter. After this long and tedious voyage, which ended in the second month, I stayed but a few weeks at home, and loaded with wheat and flour for Dublin, in Ireland ; had Alice Alderson, my kinswoman, and Margaret Coupland, passengers. We had a very comfortable, pleasant pas- sage, fair winds and weather, and good religious meet- ings. I think it was the most pleasant time that ever I crossed the seas. About Nantucket we saw several sloops a whaling, and spoke with one, by which opportunity we 24s2 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, inquired of the welfare of our friends on that island, and sent our loves to them. Not many miles from the sloops we saw a shoal of whales ; 1 counted eight in a row lying . side by side in the water. We were four weeks and six days from our capes to Cape Clear, in Ireland : coming near the land, we met with fishing boats, and got plenty of choice fresh fish ; in the evening we got into Kinsale, took in a pilot for Dublin, and sailed next day from Kinsale, and were out one night at sea, got next day to Dublin-bay, where we went ashore, and were kindly entertained by our friends ; wc were at divers large meetings in that great city, which some of us, while we live, at times I believe shall re- member. My stay in Ireland was about seven weeks, in which time I visited several meetings in the country, and at Edenderry, the Moate of Greenough, Carlow, Ballytore, 8cc. We set sail from Dublin with a fair wind, in company with the ship Neptune, and our friends sent many pray- ers and good wishes after us. We were about forty per- sons, sailors, passengers, and servants, on board, and had a good passage, all things considered. We had di- vers religious meetings on board, and were on our pas- sage, from the sight of Ireland, to the sight of our land, five weeks and six days : it was the quickest voyage I ever made to Europe and back again to Philadelphia. When I came home, finding all well, I was thankful to God, in the name of Christ, for all his mercies, and the many preservations wherewithal he had favoured me. After being a little at home, and at several meetings, and not being clear of the world, in order to it, I under- took another voyage to Barbadoes, and from thence in- tending for London, in order to settle my affiiirs there, which I intended some years before, but losses and dis- appointments hindered me. W^herefore, the 7th of the tenth month, I proceeded on a fifth voyage in the Bar- badoes Packet, and left Philadelphia, and was at a meet- ing the next day at Chester, being first day, and in the evening we had a large meeting at Grace Lloyd's, where I met with my dear friend Joseph Gill, who had good THE JOURNAL GF THQMA8 6HALKLET. 243 service in said meeting: ; we rejoiced in Christ to see each other. We left Chester the 9th, and got that tide down the river to Newcastle, and, after visiting those few friends there, we set sail the 12th in the morning ; the wind being high, and the weather very sharp, freez- ing hard, our sails were so froze, that we had hiird work to get the vessel under sail. The 13th day, weighed anchor, and sailed down the bay, and the 14th we were clear of the capes. The first day following we had a good, seasonable meeting, for the worship and service of God ; and, in said meeting, as I was treating of disobe- dience to parents, and disobedience to Almighty God, our great parent and heavenly father, a youth, who was a passenger in the vessel, went out hastily and abruptly, as I was shewing the ungratefulness of the first, much more of the last. When I asked the reason of his going out, he said, it was because he could not forbear crying ; and thinking I spoke so because of him, he said, he could not hear me any more. Afterwards I understood that he was a youth who was very ungrateful and disobedient to his parents ; the which I knew not of, for his mother told me, and himself also, that he went to sea on account of his health. I thought his going out so hastily was occasioned by some indisposition of body ; but it was, as he gave us to understand, through resenting ill what was spoken, and by his taking of it to himself. I have, in like manner, sometimes observed, that divers people have shewn a restlessness and uneasiness in public as- semblies of worship and devotion, and sometimes going out. Sec. so that they have thereby exposed themselves to the notice of the people, as persons guilty of the mat- ter publicly reprehended, or spoken against ; just as though they were the only persons in the assembly, who were guilty of the evil then taken notice of : such public restlessness is a great folly and weakness, besides so openly and publicly exposing themselves. After we left our capes, we had divers hard gales of wind, which lasted several days. The 28th, being a first day, we had a meeting for divine worship, in which God was praised, and his holy name exalted, for his unspeak- 2'44 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS ClIALKLEY. able grace, in sending his only begotten Son, a divine light to enlighten the inhabitants of the world ; after which we had stormy weather and contrary winds for some weeks, so that our passage was tedious ; and of fif- teen times going to Barbadoes, 1 found this the most diflicult ; and the prospect was very discouraging of making a losing voyage, by the great expense I expect- ed for repairing and refitting the vessel, &c. so that 1 be- gan to despair of accomplishing my design of discharg- ing my debts in Great-Britain, and the thoughts and con- sideration of losing so much of the company and convert sation ot my wife, relations, and friends, and spending so much precious time, which cannot be recalled, to so lit- tle purpose, lay heavy on my mind ; yet, by the grace of God, my miiid was supported, and my resolutions con- firmed to praise the Almighty, for every dispensation of his providence. 1 he 23d of the eleventh month we saw the island of Barbadoes, at the breaking of the day, having been from the Capes of Delaware forty days, and one night ; and were truly thankful, that, at last, we, through divine fav- our, got to our desired port ; where we were lovingly re- ceived by our friends at Speight 's-town, who were joy tul at our arrival. From thence 1 went to Bridgetown, and so on to the governor's, in order to enter our ^ essel ; but, staying a little too late, the governor, who was the lord Howe, was come from his house on his way to Bridgetown, with his coach and six, and his attendants ; but he seeing me, courteously stopped his coach, and did my business as he sat therein ; and though I made an essay towards an excuse, he would not admit of it, say- ing, There is no need of any excuse. He was indeed an extraordinary courteous man : he died soon after, much lamented, as he was much beloved. My stay at Barbadoes this time was the longest I ever sta}ed, believing it to be the last time I should go there, and that I should see them oo more. M} so saying troubled some of them ; j)ut growing in years, (being then turned of threescore), 1 thought it would be too hard for me to undertake such another voyage ; there- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 245 fore I was at all the meetings of our friends on the island. Here I met with Moses Aldridge, a friend from New- England, who came on a religious visit to friends of this island, with whom we had divers good meetings, his ser- vice in preaching the gospel being edifying and accept- able ; we were together at the marriage of Andrew Drury and Mary Lewis, after which meeting and mar- riage, I was ill of a fever several days, which distemper was very much among the people, of which near twenty masters of vessels, and some hundreds of people died ; and though 1 had been at Barbadoes many times, I never had so much illness there before ; Moses Aldridge, and several friends of us, had a large meeting at John Gib- son's, where were many people, not of our persuasion, who were generally sober ; but as I was recommending charity to the people, according to the doctrine of the apostle Paul, as the most excellent gift, I advised them to show it forth to all people of all professions, and also to their negroes, telling them, that some of the gentry of this island had observed to me, that the more kind they were to their slaves, they had their business the better done for it ; though I observed also, that I had been at some places, where I had watched to hear some expres- sions that might look like charity ; but in divers houses, and some of note, I could not hear any christian-like ex- pressions to their slaves or negroes, and that with sorrow I had seen a great deal of tyranny and cruelty, the which I dissuaded them from : this doctrine so exasperated some that they made a disturbance in the meeting ; one of which persons meeting me on the king's highway, shot off his fowling-piece at me, being loaded with small shot, ten of which made marks on me, and several drew blood ; by which unfriendly action, the man got a great deal of disgrace, it being highly resented by all who were acquainted with me ; the president of the island looked on it as a very base action, as did also divers of the jus- tices and the gentry, also the vestry, and several clergy- men and lawyers ; one of the la vyers told me, I should not be just to the country, myself, nor the man, if I did 246 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. not prosecute him ; another professing the law, said, He ought to be abandoned by all mankind, if he shot at me with design ; many were for prosecuting him, for the people generally took notice of it with abhorrence ; but he sending for me, and signifying he would not do so again, I forgave him ; and I pray it may not be laid to his charge in the great day, and that he may be forgiven, he being ignorant of the love I had and have for him and all men, even them whom I know to be mine enemies. It would be too great a scandal and reproach, to expose his name and station in the world. Some thought I did well in forgiving him, and some thought I did ill in it : but I spoke my mind to him alone freely, in which I had satisfaction and peace. Intending my vessel for London, I made my chief mate, Ralph Loftus, master of her, not knowing wheth- er I might proceed the voyage, it being a very sickly time ; afterwards my mate had the distemper also, but I bless God, we both recovered a good state of health. It was this voyage, that my friends in Barbadoes pub- lished a little piece I wrote at sea, which I called, "Free thoughts communicated to free thinkers ;" done in order to promote thinking on the name and works of God ; which had, as far as I understand, a good acceptance among the people. The principal clergyman on the island thanked me for it, and said, " There was need enough of it:" but I could be glad another, or a better hand^ had done something of that nature, and more large. If this may be of any service, I shall be thank- ful. I had also a meeting at John Lewis's, in Joseph's par- ish, at which were divers not of our profession, and some who were never at any of our religious meetings before ; who said they were glad they were there that day ; it be- ing a satisfactory open meeting. After I had visited my friends, and settled my affairs as well as I could, and loaded our vessel with sugars, for London, being willing, once more, to see my native land, and settle my affairs there, and see my relations and friends ; on the 6th of the third month, we set sail from •SHE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CMALKLEY. 247 Barbadoes for London, and had pleasant weather. The 16th, being the first day, we had a religious meeting for the worship of God, in which I was concerned to speuk on the government of the tongue (having on board sev- eral hands, who did not sail with us before that voyage, that were much used to swearing). After that meeting, we had not so many bad words and oaths as before. I was thankful in my soul to the Lord, and blessed his holy name, for his goodness to us that day ; and in the night, my sleep was very sweet and comfortable, being sensible of the love of God, in the visions of the night ; so that I witnessed the fulfilling of the prophecy of Joel, chap. ii. 28. The 23d, being the first day of the week, we had a meeting, in which the grace of God, that comes by Jesus Christ, was magnified, and a blessing begged for all who love and serve God, throughout the world, by sea and land ; also a tender petition was put up to Al- mighty God, that as he was graciously pleased to look down on those eight persons in Noah's ark, so he would please to look upon us in our vessel ; and that as by his divine providence, they safely landed on the earth, so we, if it were his will, might safely land at our desired port, yet not that our wills, but his will might be done : which supplication was put up with great submission. Both day and night I often sought the Lord, and was much alone in this voyage. I read the Old and New Testament almost through, and much of it divers times over ; my time being mostly taken up in reading, writ- ing, and meditating, in which, at times, my heart would be broken into tenderness, and I was humbly thankful to God, that my heart was not hard ; he having prom- ised to visit the contrite ones ; the which he sometimes fulfilled, to my unspeakable satisfaction ; glory to his holy name forever. My heart was also thankful that God was pleased to visit me in my watery travels and troubles, and in my separation from my family and friends, which are much nearer, and more valuable to me than all riches, and a great cross to my natural in« clinaiion to part with. 24-8 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CIIALKLEV. The 8th of the fourth month, being the first day of the week, we had a meeting, in which acquaintance with God was exhorted to, shewing the benefit of it, and of loving him above all things, and delighting in his law, and meditating therein day and night. The 19th, in the morning, a strong northerly wind came up, and blew so hard that we could not carry sail, but lay to the wind, under our mizen, which was split or torn with the violence of the wind, and the sea rose high, so that it came into the windows of our great cabin. It was very rugged for the time, and though it was mid-sum- mer, it was so cold, that we were obliged to clothe our- selves as in winter. The 22d, being first day, we had a comfortable meeting after the storm, wherein the great benefit of true religion was a little opened to our sm«.ll company, and the Lord, Most High, was praised for our deliverance and preservation. The 26th we sounded, and found about seventy fathom de])th of water. The 29th we were a-breast the isle of Wight. From the time we left the island of Barbadoes, to the time we found ground, was seven weeks; Thus through many perils and dangers, we came to Great-Britain ; for all which mercies and providences, let my soul bless and praise the holy name and mighty power of the Most High. It was now a time of a very great pressing for seamen, and several men of war's boats came on board to press our sailors ; but they had prepared a place in the vessel to 'hide themselves, and the men of war's peo- ple could not find them. One lieutenant, with his men, came on board, and seeing us weak handed (the best of our hands being hid), he asked me if I had any more hands on board ? I made him little answer. He then said he was sure I could not bring the ship from Barba- does without hands. I told him sailors were hard to be got in Barbadoes, either for love or money, to go for London, for fear of being pressed, and I was obliged to take any I could get. He said it was in vain to talk much, but if I would say I had no more hands on board, he would be satisfied ; he having a belief that I woald speak the truth, though lie never saw me before ; and THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEV. 249 he said, if I would say there were no more men on board, he ^vould go away, for then he had no more business there; but I made him no answer, not daring to tell a lie. Now I know that there are men on board, said he : so he com- manded his men to search the ship to her keel. So they sti-i]:)ped and made a narrow search, and sweated and fretted, but could not find them. He being civil, 1 made him, when he went away, a small present. He wished me well ; and so I carried my people safe up to Lon- don. In the beginning of the fifth month, I came to London, and lodged at the house of Simeon Warner, in South- wark, and at divers kind friends and relations, in and about London. The tender and brotherly respect which I received from divers, in some of those families, in my sickness, will not, I believe, ever be forgotten, while I am in this world, at times by me ; and, I hope that he whom I serve with m}- might and strength, will be their reward. When in the country about London, my residence was mostly at Edmonton, at my dear brother George Chalkley's, who, with my sister and cousins, were a comfort to me both in health and sickness : for 1 was often in London sorely afflicted with the phthisic and asthma, which sometimes made me very uneasy ; and, though my affairs required me to be often in the city, yet I was obliged to return to the country for air, and, both in health and sickness, was kindly and affectionately received and tended by my dear brother, sister, and all my loving cousins. The memory thereof is cordial to me in penning these lines. It may be truly said, we were very joyful in meeting one another, and our sorrow in parting not easy to be expressed. In London I sold my vessel, the Barbadoes- Packet, and settled all my affairs to general satisfaction, so flir as I know, on which account I had laboured for several }'ears, and was joyful that Pro\idence had favored me so iar as to see it accomplished : so that now I wholly intend to leave trading by sea, the which I never inclined to, only on a principle of justice; for I was fully resolved in mv mind that mv creditors should be paid their just K k 250 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. debts, though I might lose my life in the pursuit of itj about which I had no anxious guilt, because I never was extravagant nor indolent, but met with divers casualties by fire and water; by the latter I lost many hundreds of pounds for several yeiu-s together ; and I would persuade all in their undertaking for a livelihood in this world, to be sure to have an eye to divine providence, who will not suffer us, if we do well, nor so much as a sparrow to fall to tire ground, without he think it best for us, he knowing what is for our good better than we know our- selves. Thus when I had paid my debts, and in a good degree settled my affairs, I visited several of my rela- tions, as at Kingsworth, Staines, Guilford, &c. Had a meeting at Market- Street, and one at Guilford, an- other at Staines, and one at Longford ; in all which I had some service, and my relations were joyful to see me once more, having never expected to see me again ; and when I had visited meetings in and about London, I went towards the North, in order to visit some places where I had never been, and some that I had been at. The number of meetings, and the names of the places w^here I had meetings (while I was this time in England) are as follows. While I was in and about London, I was at eighteen meetings in that great city, at tvv^o of which I was with May Drummond, a virtuous young woman, who hath a good gift in the ministry, and had a gracious opjDortunity of declaring her convincement to our noble Queen Caroline, our great King George's royal consort. The kind treat- ment, and good reception, she had with the queen,, spread so in city and country, that many thousands flock- ed to hear her, and more of the gentry aiid nobility than ever was known before, to our meetings. I had some private conversation with her, which ]3ut me in mind of the apostle's exhortation, where he adviseth the prim- itive christians, that their words be few and savoury, and that they should be seasoned with grace for this great reason, that they might administer grace to the hearers ; and truly I thought there was the influence of grace in her conduct and conversation, whom I pray Cod to preserve in Christ to the end. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 25.1 I had a meeting at the house of my brother with his scholars at Edmonton, and also with his family and di- vers of our relations, which some of us may have occa- sion to- remember. We had seven meetings at Totten- ham, at sundry times, and four at Hartford ; I travelled to Hitching, from thence to Baldock, and then to Stadt- fold and Ash well. The 7th of the eighth month (being tlie third day of the week) to Royston, fourth to Ives, iifth to Huntington, sixth to Ramsey. First day, being tlie 12th of the month, we had a meeting at a small town named Finding, and the same day, in the evening, had a large meeting at Wellingborough, in Northamptonshire. The 14th, being the third day of the week, we had a meeting at Northampton, fourth day at Bray brook, fifth day at Okeham, the county town of Rutland, sixth day at Long-Clackson ; and first day, being the 19th of the month, I was at a large and open meeting at Nottingham, where were many people, not of our society, who were very sober ; third day had a meeting at Fairnsfield, fourth day at Mansfield, fifth at Chesterfield, in Derbyshire; from whence we went over the moors and mountains, Benja- min Bangs, the younger, accompanying me, who came on purpose from Stockport to be my companion and guide thither : his company was both pleasant and prof- itable to me in that hilly country, through which we trav- elled to Stockport, where we had three meetings, and where I met with my dear, worthy old friend, Benjamin Bangs. When we met, we embraced each other in arms of christian love, having not seen one another for many years, Avith whom I stayed four days. This wor- thy friend, though upwards of fourscore years of age, went wijth me to Manchester, where we had two meet- ings, and then I went back with him to his house. He was a man of extraordinary character, and well beloved, he being a pillar in the church of Christ. When at Manchester, I went to visit a friend newly cut for the stone, who had one taken out of him, the measure of which I saw, and had the stone in my hand. It was nine inches about, and three over. Before I went out of those parts, he was well enough to ride home, 252 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAI.Kl.KY. Avhicli was near a hundred miles. He was cheerRi), as well as thankful. From Stockport I went to Macclesfield, to Joseph Hobson's, where I met with Joshua Toft and his broth- er, two choice ministers of Jesus Christ, of whose com- pany I was glad, though at that time I was very low and poor in my spirit. We had two meetings here ; on the 2d of the ninth month, being first day. 1 was at a large meeting at Morley, and, in the evening, at the meeting at John Leigh's, at both which meetings there were many people, not of our society, who were very still, and some were broken into tenderness. From Morley I went, to Penketh, where we had a large, solid meeting, and had an evening meeting at Warrington, where I met with many brethren and sisters, who sincerely love our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom I was refreshed, particularly at Gilbert Thompson's and Lawrence Calen's. From Warrington I went to Langtree, Preston, and Clifton, where I had meetings, and so went on to Lancaster. I went to Wray, in order to visit my old ship-mate Eliz- abeth Rawlinson, (whose son, Hutton Rawlinson, went with me). When 1 came to Wray, they desired me to have a meeting with them ; and though there was little notice, yet we had a large meeting, divers neighbours coming in, and Christ Avas preached to them freely ; this was the 10th in the evening, and second day of the week. Third day I went to Kendal, and, in the evening, with very little notice, we met with several hundreds of peo- ple, friends and others. It was a surprize to me, I ex- pecting but a few, because of the shortness of time ; but I acknowledge it was a pleasant surprize, to see the willingness and readiness of the people 'to hear the gos- pel preached. Friends here are a great people, and well beloved and esteemed by their neighbours, and live in nuich love and unity. The fourth day many friends came to see me from divers parts, I giving them some notice that I designed no farther northward, and hastening to get ready to go to America, betimes in the spring ; hav- ing l)een from home near two years ; wherefore divers of my friends, some of whom had been at sea with me, met THK JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. ^52 me here. We rejoiced to see one another, and, after a large and good meeting-, we took a solemn farewell, divers of us never expecting to see each other any more. In this journey and travel I endeavoured to be, as much as I well could, at such meetings as I had never been at before, and because I was short in this visit to r»\y friends, some were not so well pleased ; but my call was most to the American shore, where I thought my service mostly lay, and in order to return, I set my face toward London, and expected to meet with my friend and brother in Christ, Isaac Pickerell, in Cheshire, who designed to accompany me towards the south ; wherefore I went from Kendal to Lancaster, and was at Penketh on a first day. being the 16Ui of the ninth month, which meeting was large and solid ; after "this meeting we went to Sutton, where I met Avith Isaac Pickerell, also with our ancient friends, James Dickenson and Christopher Wil- son, a choice young man, his fellow labourer. We had meetings at Sutton, Newtown, Chester, and Shrewsbury : James Dickenson was about fourscore years of age, *md yet held out in travels to admiration, and was liveiy in preaching the gospel : he is a worthy elder, of whose company I was joyful ; at Shrewsbury we parted, and Isaac and I went to Colebrook, where, on a first day, we had a solid, good meeting ; from thence we went to Stoui*bridge, and after having a meeting there, we had an- other at Broomsgrove, and so went on to Worcester, where we had divers large and solemn meetings : we lodged at John Corbin's, who was very kind to us, as also were his hopeful children, and in great love and unity we both met and parted. From Worcester, we went to Evesham, where we had two meetings, and from thence to Oddington, and had a large evening meeting ; the people, who were mostly of other societies, were very sober, and gave good attention ; this was the fourth day of the week ; fifdi day we had a meeting at Chalbury, and a tender time with a friend very ^veak at Wallingford, who expressed his satisfaction and thankfulness for the visit ; his children were very tenderly affected also The good Lord, the great physician of value was with us, and 254 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CIIALKLEY. his balsamic grace was at that time shed abroad in our hearts. From VV^allingford, we went to Reading, where my good companion and fellow traveller, Isaac Pickerel], dwelt ; we were lovingly received by our friends ; I stayed here, and rested several days, and had several sat- isfactory meetings with friends, they being a large peo- ple, living much in love and good will ; here Samuel Thornton, of Edmonton, my kinsman, and Isaac Brown, my wife's son, came to see me from London. From Reading, Isaac Pickerell accompanied me to Maidenhead, and to Jordan's, at both which places we had meetings. The house and burying ground at Jordan's are kept in the neatest order I ever saw, in which ground lie the bones of divers worthy friends, Isaac Penington, William Penn, Thomas Kh\ood, George Bowles, and their wives, as I remember. This meeting is often, if not mostly, kept in silence ; yet several have been convinced there, through the grace of God, and the power of the Holy Ghost, which Christ said he would send to the true be- lievers, and thiit should abide with the church forever : here my beloved friend Isaac and I parted in much love, having good desires for each other's welfare. From Jordan's I went with my kinsman to my brother's at Ed- monton, where I stayed and rested a few days from trav- elling. Then a concern came upon me to visit friends meet- ings in the county of Essex, and I went from my broth- er's to Hartford, and had several meetings there ; and one I had also at Ware, which was very large ; after which I went to Hartford again, I having divers relations there ; from thence I went to Bishopstafford, where I had a meeting, and so on to Stebbing, where I had a large meeting ; and had a meeting at Braintree, Coggeshall, and a large meeting on a first day at Halstead, and there were abundance of people at Cone, at an evening meeting we had there, where I met with my worthy friend Joshua Toft, and his fellow traveller, Joseph Hobson, we rejoic- ing to see each other. From Cone, I went to Cockfield, which was a very small meeting ; from thence I went to Colchester, where I stayed sevenU days, and went to sev- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAg ClIALKLEY. U5S tral meetings, as at Rockstead and Manningtree, and then back again to Coicheste r, where, on the first day, I had a large meeting in the afternoon, and after meetings divers of the friends came to see me, and were for ap- pointing meetings for me to be at, in the ensuing week, and desired to know my mind therein ; after a Httle pause I told them, I found a full stop in my mind from going to any more meetings at present, and that I would wait some days with them in the city, till I saw further ; while we were sitting together, a letter came to me from London, that a friend, Stephen Payton, had set up my name on the Exchange in London, as master of the Bar- badoes Packet, which was the vessel bought of me by John Agar, who sold her to said Stephen Payton, who in- tended her for Philadelphia, and next morning a messen- ger was sent for me from London : thus having such a favourable opportunity of returning home, I embraced it, and went on second day to Witham, where I again met with Joshua Toft and Joseph Hobson, at meeting ; from thence we went to Plaistow, where we had a meeting, and then went to Bromley, near Bow, and were at Joseph Olive's, had a meeting with his people and servants, which were many ; I thought it was a good meeting, a divine hand of love was reached out to the young peo- ple, and they were advised to give up their hearts to their Creator in their youthful days ; several scores of people belong to his family ; after this meeting I went to Lon- don, and prepared for the voyage. When our vessel was loaded, which was chiefly by Israel Pemberton, the younger, who went with us, as did our owner, Stephen Payton, and Isaac Brown, and four of my kinsfolks, whose names are Freeman, with divers others passengers: in the latter end of the twelfth month, my brother and his eldest daughter, Rebecca, with her husband, Samuel Thornton, accompanied me to Gravesend, where our parting with them was, a^at Edmonton, very solemn and sorrowful, we never expecting to sec one another more. From Gravesend we sailed the 3d of the first month to the Downs, and fr<^m thence do\\'n the British channel to the sea, and were at sea about nine weeks^ which we 256 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. thought long, having many contrary winds ; but, after we came on shore, we understood, that tliere were divers vessels that were much longer. At sea we had divers meetings, M'hich Avcre some of them to my satisfaction. I came very unwell on board ; but, when at sea, I mend- ed ; for which fa\our 1 am truly thankful. We lamled all well and in health at Philadelphia, in the third jiionth, 173G, where -vve were received with joy by our relations^ friends, and acquaintance ; it was much the more so, be- cause they had heard I was like to die ; I having, at Lon- don, had a sore fit of the asthma or phthisic, three per- sons sitting up with me for three nights, who 1 thought \\ ould s'ee my end ; but the time was not yet come that I must die, though indeed death was no terror to me, hoping my change would be much for the better ; for then, 1 hoped, I should be forever with him ^vhom I lov- ed better than life. After I had been at home some time, I went to Salem, and from thence to Cohansey, and, in my return, \\'as at Woodberry- creek, and liad meetings at each place : and, soon after, I visited the meetings of friends at Bristol, Burlington, Trenton, and Bordentown, and, in my return home, at Middletown ; b}- the way called, to see my an- cient friends, Joseph Kirkbride, and the widow Warder ; she was ninety-two }ears of age, and perfect in her un- derstanding ; she said, she did not know for what end the Almigliiy should prolong her days to that age ; but she was satisiied in his will. In the fifth month, 1 visited the meetings of friends at Haddoniield, in West-Jersey, and at Newton, Hartford, Germantown, Abington, North- Wales, and Plymouth, and was divers times at Philadelphia and Frankfort. After many exercises, and large travels by sea and land, my brethren, and divers others, not of our society, expressed their gladness to see me, rejoicing that I was like to spend my time more on the land, hoping that I would go no more to sea; the which, God willing, I de- termined, having so settled m\ .ifTairs, tliat I could stay on shore : and am truly and humbly thankful to the AU THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 257 mighty, that he, by his good hand of providence, in his due time, had favoured and helped me so to do. In the sixth and seventh months, I again visited the meetings of friends at Bristol, Burlington, Bybury, Abington, Horsham, Germantown, Fairhill, and divers times at Frankfort and Philadelphia. In the eighth month I went to Cohansey and Salem, and was at two meetings at Cohansey, and one at Allo- way's-creek, where I met with Edward Tyler, a friend on a religious visit from Europe, and John Sykes, a friend living near Crosswicks, in the Jersey's ; here we had an open satisfactory meeting ; from whence I went to Salem, it being their week day meeting, which was large, and to the edification of many. I was also at Piles- grove fifth day, and at Woodberry- creek sixth day : in which last meeting the obedient son was encouraged, and the disobedient earnestly called home to his heavenly Father's house. In this journey I had John Bringhurst, the younger, for my fellow traveller ; his father being untvilling that I should go the journey alone. After I had been at home some time, I, with some others, went to the yearly meeting at Shrewsbury, in East- Jersey, which was on the 23d of the eighth month : it was exceeding large, and the quietest and the most settled meeting that ever I was at there ; and many di- vine truths were delivered therein. From thence I went to Manesquan, and had a meeting, and then back to Shrewsbury, and so to Middletown, where we had a meeting in the baptist meeting-house, divers of whom were there, and glad of the meeting ; thence came back to Shrewsbury, and had a meeting on the first day, being the 30th of the month : from whence, on my return home, had meetings at Moses Robin's, Allen's-town, at Crosswicks, (where I met with divers of my old friends), Bordentown, and Mansfield ; some of which were large, open, and satisfactory meetings. After the last meeting, we went to Burlington, and next day came home, accom- panied by Richard Smith, Jun. After being a kw days at home, I was sent for to Chester, to the maiTiage of John Lee, (who had sailed several voyages with me), L 1 *258 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. next day I went to the week day meeting at Providence, and on first day was at Springfield ; from whence I re- turned home. The 23d of the ninth month, I left home again, and went to Philadelphia, and from thence with Daniel Stan- ton, John Easton, and John Proud, Jun. (the two latter of Rhode- Island), to Radnor meeting, and from tht^nce to Goshen meeting, and by the coldness of the weather, and crossing several creeks, I got a cold, which settled on my kmgs, so that, in conversation, I was hoarse ; but I was helped in meetings to admiration; for which I was truly thankful to the Almighty, the great helper of his servants and children. Wc had a meeting with an ancient friend, who said she had above two hundred who called her mother being her children by blood and marriage to the fourth generation : we took our leave of her, as never ex- pecting to see each other more, and parted in tenderness of heart. One of this friend's grandsons went with us to Concord, where, on a first day, we had a very large meet- ing, and an evening meeting at Moses Mendenhall's ; and the remainder of the week we had meetings at Birming- ham, Kennet, New-Garden, Marlborough, and the monthly meeting at Center, on the seventh day following, at which were many young people ; for whose sakes I was drawn and moved, in my exercise of the ministry, to shew the rise and design of our meetings of discipline. 1st. That the same power that gathered us to be a people, inclined our elders to establish those meetings, and settle them in most parts where we were gathered, and had meetings for the worship of God. 2d. They were advised to do their business, and speak to their affairs, in the sense of the same power, spirit, and wisdom of Christ, which, as it had raised us, would, as we kept to it, preserve us to be a people to the praise of God's holy name. 3d. They were advised, in doing their business, not to run out into many unnecessary words, which might lead to contention, and spending much time to little purpose ; religious affairs being done best in a meek and quiet spirit, that being of great price with the Lord ; great evils THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 259 having been known in many ages, through hot and long contentions about religion. It is also good to avoid, in matters of difference, respect of persons, on account of being acquainted or related, so as to be swayed thereby from justice. 4th. They were advised to be very careful of giving any just occasion of offence to any, to Jew or gentile, to Indian or negro ; for, " Wo to them," says our Saviour, *' by whom offences come ;" and if any will take offence when none is justly given, it is the best way to be patient, and take our Saviour for our example, who got the vic- tory through suffering; a safe way, and glorious in the end. And, as to few words, the apostle says, " Let your words be few and savoury, seasoned with grace, that they may administer grace to the hearers." 5th. I was engaged, for the sakes of the youth of both sexes, to shew them, that a material part of the service of these meetings, is, that care be taken therein, to see that persons are clear of prior engagements or entanglements, in relation to marriage, and that they have tiie consent of parents, or parties concerned, as guardians, &,c. and also, that they, and all that belong to our society, walk orderly in conversation ; otherwise they could not be in unity with us, or owned by us, as a society of religious peo- ple : we do not own scandalous persons, nor admit them to be married amongst us, without acknowledging their faults, and promising amendment for the future, through divine grace and assistance. Also, in those meetings, the widows and fatherless are taken care of, that they may be supported and visited, and youths put out ap- prentices to learn trades, &c. This meeting concluded with supplication for the rising generation, and for the king, and all his subjects, and with thanksgiving and praises to the sacred name of Him who lives forever. After the abovesaid meeting, we went to Wilmington, a newly settled town on Christiana-creek, which I be- lieve will be a flourishing place, if the inhabitants take care to live in the fear of God, and seek his glory, and the riches of his kingdom, preferring it to any thing or 260 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, things of this world. Wc had a pretty large meeting here, considering the season, (for it was very cold), which was held in a large house of William Shipley's ; but they are making provision for a meeting-house. From this town wc went to Newark, and had a comfortable meeting at George Robinson's in the evening, and next morning set out for Philadelphia. As it was now the winter season, and having been divers times at this season of the year in the warm cli- mates, the cold was become harder for me to bear than usual, so that I stayed at and about home pretty much, being divers times at Philadelphia, Frankfort, German- town, and Abington meetings. The latter end of the tenth month, on a first day of the week, I was at a large, open meeting, at Darby, in Ches- ter county. After meeting I rode home, about fourteen miles ; but it was so cold, that my limbs were much be- numbed, and were not fully recovered in more than a week. Coming home, between Schuylkill river and Philadelphia, we observed the largest meteor that ever I saw, though I had seen many by sea and land ; this was in sight almost a minute, as near as I could guess ; it was a mighty stream, like a fiame of fire, leaving, as it were, sparks of fire behind it, as it went along, and then settled like a star, and disapjDcared. A few days after this me- teor, there appeared in the sky an uncommon redness, with streams like fire. About this time was buried at Frankfort, John Hur- ford, who was about ninety years of age ; at whose bur- ial, the coldness of the season considered, were a pretty many friends, neighbours, and relations of the deceased ; as also divers from Philadelphia. 1 was concerned to advise those present, to prepare for their final change ; that being certain, though the time is uncertain ; which, generally, none knows but the Almighty ; therefore we ought always to be preparing for our dissolution, and al- ways watching and praying, lest we enter into temptation ; as said our dear Lord, " If the good man of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched." Luke xii, 39. And, we not knowing THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 261 whether death will come in our youth, our middle, or old age, therefore, were earnestly desired to prepare our hearts to meet death, so that we might dwell with God and Christ in his kingdom forever. It was also ob- served, that though this friend had lived to a great age, yet that few lived so long, no, not one in a thousand, and many die very young ; therefore they were earnestly en- treated, in the love of God through Christ, to prepare for their latter end, and not to set their hearts and affec- tions on things below; for, by how much they set their hearts and affections on natural or outward things and objects, by so much the harder it would be to part with them, when death should come. This meeting ended with prayer for reformation and preservation to the end of life ; and praises, yea, high praises were given to him, who had given to all present our life, our breath, and our being. It being exceeding severe weather, with much rain, wind, and snow, there were great floods, so that we could not get over Frank fort- creek to meeting ; wherefore the friends on the west side met together at my house, and we had a satisfactory, good meeting, in which we were exhorted to build our religion on the sure foundation ; that neither storms, rain, or winds, might be able to shake us from this foundation, which is Christ, the rock of ages. This winter we were visited at Frankfort with the small-pox, of which many died at Philadelphia, and sev- eral in our neighbourhood. The latter part of this winter staying much at home, I spent my time much in reading and writing, often being sensible of the love and goodness of God, my exceeding great reward ; he, by the spirit of his Son, comforting me, and sometimes melting my heart into tenderness, in consideration of his many mercies, which caused me to praise his holy name, who is thereof worthy, beyond ex- pression, forever. In the first month, I went with my friend John Oxley, of Barbadoes, to Bristol, where we had a large meeting ; thence went over the river Delaware to Burlington quar- 262 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. terly meeting : we were obliged to get to the Jersey shore on the ice, laying boards thereon for about one hundred yards together ; and being long on the ice, and poorly as to health, I took such a cold, that I could not get to meeting next day, but was at the youths' meeting third day following ; fourth day I went to Ancocas meeting, thence to a large meeting at Mount- Holly, where was a marriage ; afterwards to Evesham and Upper Spring- field, or Hanover, and then returned to Burlington, and next day was at the monthly meeting there, which, to me, was a good open meeting, wherein church discipline was somewhat treated of, and friends advised to wait for that spirit which leads into all truth, to guide them in their discipline. In the second month, 1737, I went to Cohansey, in or- der to negociate some affairs there, and while there, had three meetings at Greenwich, and one at Alloway's-creek; and on the 9th of said month, being first day, was at Sa- lem meeting, which was large and open : and, in the evening, we had a heavenly meeting at Bartholomew Wyat's. After my return from Salem, on the first of the third month, I took a journey to the eastward, having a desire to see friends in those parts, whom I had divers times visited, in the service of the gospel, in my young years ; and though now upwards of threescore years of age, was willing to visit them once more before I died, who, in some places where I had formerly travelled, were now grown very numerous. I set out with Joseph Gilbert, and several other friends, and we travelled together to Long- Island, where we parted, and I went to Newtown, where I met with John Fothergill and Samuel Bowne ; at which place we had a meeting, which was appointed on John's account, and his service therein was to the satis- faction and edification of friends. From thence John went to West- Chester, on the Main, and I went to Flushing, where we had a large, open meeting : it was a solid, good time, and the sacred name of Him who lives forever was praised. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 263 From Flushing I went with my old friend and school- fellow, Joseph Latham, to his house. Our conversation was pleasant and comfortable to each other, wherein we remembered our walking to and from school, in the sub- urbs of that great and populous city, London ; when we were beaten, stoned, and abused, only for being the chil- dren of those called quakers : the priests, who had mon- ey for preaching, had preached and printed so many lies against our friends, that the common people were almost ready to make a sacrifice of us ; they telling us (when we pleaded our innocency, by telling them, we went quietly along the streets to school) that " It was no more sin to kill us, than to kill a dog :" but now, through the grace and favour of the Almighty, we enjoy the exercise of our religion, according to our consciences, free from jails and prisons, in which our primitive friends suffered much ; for which we ought to be truly thankful to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. From Joseph Latham's we went to Westbury and Matinicock (after a meeting at Cowneck) and afterward to New- York, where I had also religious service and a meeting; and from New- York I took my passage in Robert Bowne's sloop for Newport, on Rhode-Island, was two days and nights on the water, and on my arri- val at Rhode- Island, the brethren lovingly received me, and we were joyful to see each other. After having had divers good meetings on Rhode- Island, I went to Dartmouth, where we had a large, serviceable meeting at a place called Ponyganset, many- hundreds being added to the church since I first visited those parts. From this place I went to Holder Slo- cum's, and he lent us his shallop to go over to Nantuck- et ; but the wind not favouring, we had a satisfactory meeting at a large farm of his on an island bearing his own name, and after meeting set sail for Nantucket, had several large meetings there, and I rejoiced to see the growth and increase of friends on this island ; where God hath greatly multiplied his people, and made them honourable ; glory to his name forever. 264 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CIIALKLEY. The priests, who have money for preaching' ; the law- yers, who have it for pleading ; and the physicians, who have money for givnig receipts for health ; are poor trades on this island. At Nantucket I had been about thirty-nine years be- fore, at which time there were only two men and one woman who joined with our friends in profession, and now it was computed there were above a thousand who Avent to our meetings, they being a sober, religious peo- ple ; and there is a great increase of friends in divers other places in New-Kngland ; and whereas formerly wc were greatly persecuted for our religion, now we are treated with more civility and respect in those parts. From Nantucket, Nathaniel Starbuck and Elijah Col- lins went with me, with several other friends, to the yearly meeting at Rhode- Island ; which was so very large, that it was difficult to speak so as to be heard all over the meeting ; but the last day of the meeting, our friend John Fothergill, who had a high voice, being at- tended with the divine power, gave good satisfaction to the meeting, and it ended well. After this meeting was over, I went with Benjamin Bagnal, to Boston, and from thence to Lynn and Salem, had several satisfactory meet- ings, which tended to the imiting our hearts together in the love of Christ, and the fellowship of his gospel. From Salem I went with Zaccheus Collins and his wife to their house, and lodged there three nights, and was lovingly entertained, as I was also at many other friends houses. From Lynn, Zaccheus Collins accompanied me to Boston, where we had a meeting on a fourth day of the week, and the next day there was a very large meet- ing, (the greatest gathering of people which had been seen there at friends' meeting-house for a long time), occasioned by the marriage of John Mifflin, of Philadel- phia, to Benjamin Bagnal's eldest daughter. From Boston I returned to Rhode-Island, and had di- vers meetings at Newport and Portsmouth, wherein our hearts were made glad in Christ, and we wert strength- ened in our faith in him ; blessed be his holy name for- ever. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 265 From Rhode- Island, I went to Conanicut, and from thence over to Kingston, in the Narraganset country, and had meeting's, and then back to Rhode-Island again, and thence by water in company with divers friends to Greenwich, where I was at two large meetings : at this place they shewed me the trees under which about forty years since I had a meeting ; but now they have a pleas- ant meeting-house. The next first day, I was at a large, solid, edifying meeting, in a new meeting-house at Tiverton. From thence I went to visit Joseph Wanton's wife, who had been long sick ; and in her chamber (with several of her friends and relations) I had divers religious seasons, with which she expressed much satisfaction : she died of this sickness, and I was at her burial, which was large, she being well known, and well beloved ; the next day I was at an appointed meeting at Portsmouth, which was large, and to satisfaction, for which we blessed the holy name of God. I had divers good opportunities at Rhode- Island in private families, and was at several meetings over the Beach at John Easton's who was about ninetv years of age ; he had formerly travelled with me, when I was a young man ; we took leave of each other, never expect- sing to meet more in this world. Now, after divers meetings on Rhode- Island, I took my passage for Long-Island, in my return homeward; and after a boisterous passage, and being four nights on the water, I got well again to my loving friend Joseph Latham's, were I had left my horse, and on fifth day had a meeting at Cowneck, where I met with Elijah Collins, Rose Tibbets, and Patience Barker, we rejoicing to sec each other, after their long journey by land, and mine by water, they being likewise going for Pennsvlvania. These friends went to Flushing first day meeting, and I went to Westbury, where was a large meeting, in which there was a drunken schoolmaster, who disturbed the meeting, though at last it ended quietly, and I hope well also. The next fourth day I was at the monthly meeting at West- bury, where many friends met from divers quarters, and it was a solid good time. We had a meeting at Thomas iM m 266 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAI.KLEY. Rodman's, who wiis unwell, and had not been at a meet- ij g for some months ; he took our visit kindly, express- ing^ his love to us ; we had also a meetini^ at Jeremiah \\ iliii.ms', to good satisfaction. Fifth day we had a large gathering at Matinicock, and in the evening a ten- der broken meeting at Samuel Underhiil's, and sixth day a good meeting at Newtown, wherein primitive Christian- ity was opened, and experimentally declared to the peo- ple ; and in the evening we had a good opportunity to de- clare the truth of Christ at the house of Richard Hallet, among several of his sober neighbours. Next morning, being the seventh of the week, we went to West-Chester, to a yca:!y m.eeting, which was much crowded, and the people very uvisettled, so that it was not so satisfactory as could have been desired. After meeting we went over again to Long- Island, and then to New- York, where we had a large quiet meeting in the evening. At New- York, third day in the morning, divers dear and loving friends accompanied us to the water side, where we sol- emnly took leave of one another in the love of Christ, and in the fellowship of his gospel; some of us not expect- ing to see each other any more ; and from thence, pass- ing over Long and Staten-Islands, to Elizabeth-town, we travelled to Rahway, and had a meeting at friend Shot-i Mell's, on a fourth day in the evening, where many nt ighbours came in, and after meeting a certain person was dissatisfied about women's public speaking in relig- ious meetings ; (Rose Tibbels having publicly exhorted them in this meeting to be religious, and to fear God, and having prayed to God for us all, and praised his holy name), which said person desired we would endeavour to SI tisfy him about it, inasmuch as the apostie Paul for- bade it, as he apprehended. To which it was answered, that the apostle Paul only forbade, or did not permit for- ward or over busy women, to speak or ask questions in the church ; but advised therri to ask their husbands at home, and that doubtless he never intended to debar such godly women, who had a real necessit)^ laid on them, and were concerned, bv the Almighty, to speak unto, or pray for the people, else he would not have shewed them, how THE JOUR>fAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2G7 they ought to behave themselves in their speaking unto, or [iruying for the peojile or chureh ; for if he hud any design to hinder such, whom the Ahnighty should coi;- cern, then he must have contradicted himself, (where he shews how they must behave themselves in their dut}' of speaking or praying), and he would likewise thereby have opposed the apostle Peter, who said, " Now is fulfilled the prophecy of tlie prophet Joel, that in the latter days sons and daughters should prophecy." So that it is clear and plain, they who would limit or silence those, who have a gift from God to preach or pray in public, from the words of the apostle Paul, oppose him to himself, and to the apostle Peter, and also to the prophet Joel. From Rahway we went to Woodbridge, where we had a meeting, and there I parted with my fellow travellers, having a concern, (though much in the cross to my own will), to go back in the woods, to a meeting about eight or nine miles off; which meeting was much to my own satisfaction, as well as of those present, as divers of them expressed. From this place I went to Stony- brook, had a pretty large meeting, considering it was rain}', in the time of the meeting's gathering. At this place, my son- m-iaw, Isaac Brown, with several friends, came to meet me, whom I was glad to see, and after meeting went with them to Trenton, and next day to Bristol, it being their third day meeting, which was large, and after meeting went home to Frankfort, and there was lovingly received by my wife and family. In this journe}^ I was from home three months and nine days, had fifty- five meetings, and travelled by land and water above a thousand miles. A'ld I may truly say, that therein I was favoured with the divine presence and grace of God by Christ in a good degree, and also with the fellowship of many sincere be- lievers in him, which in my return caused my soul to bless his holy name, who lives forever. In the sixth month, after having had divers meetings at and about home, I went to Darby, Chester, and New- castle, having meetings in each place, which were to the tendering of some mournful souls, and to the comforting and strengthening them. From Newcastle I ferried oyer .268 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, Delaware river to Penn's-neck, v\'here I had a meeting, at which were several that had never been at any of our meetings before, who went away well satisfied. From thence I went to Salem monthly meeting, which was very large, and thence to Cohanse}^ to the third day meet- ing, and stayed till next first day meeting, which, though smail, by reason of rainy, stormy weather, was a very precious meeting. After I negotiated some affairs at Co- hansey, I returned to Salem, where I met with my fellow tniveilcr, Elijah Collins, of Boston, with whom I went on to Philadelphia, and from thence home ; having much satisfliction in this journey, in which I had nine meet- ings, and travelled about one hundred and fifty miles. I cannot be clear in my mind without saying, that 1 did not, nor do I study what to preach to the people. Nor did I, nor do I receive any pay, or natural consideration for preaching, it being, as I really believe, contrary to the dortrine of Christ, and his apostles and disciples. This fall I visited several of the meetings of friends in Bucks county, and the meetings at and about home, as at Frankfort, Philadelphia, Abington, Bybury, and German- town. In the ninth month 1 was appointed, with several other friends, by our monthly meeting, to visit the fami- lies of friends in Philadelphia. My. lot was to visit the upper part of the city, in company with Phebe Morris, Hannah Parrock, and Daniel Stanton ; in which service we were of one heart and mind, and we performed said service in pure self denial, and in the cross of our holy Lord Jesus Christ. And wonderful it was, how the presence and goodness of God went with us from house to house, and opened the states and conditions of the f miiiies to us, to the tendering of many hearts, both of parents, and of their children. We visited about forty families of friends, when the winter setting in, and I being but weakly, having had a sharp spell of the fever, we, by consent, were willing to defer the conclusion of this work, until longer days, and warmer weather. In this month I Avas sent to, in order to be at the bur- ial of the wife of Richard Smith, Jun. She was a vir- tuous woman, and well beloved, at whose funeral were THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2Q9 many of her neighbours and friends. It was a very sol- emn time, in which meeting, it was desired that those who had lost their parents, would live so that they might not be a dishonour to them ; for it was observed of some children, after iheir parents were dead, they grew worse than when they we'-e alive, taking undue liberties, which their f ithers and mothers could not have allowed of, which was a sore grief and trouble to their friends, and such as wished them well. Therefore they were ex- horted not to do that now, when their parents were dead, which they would not have done if they were living; which would be heavy on them, and tend to bring a blast on them in this world : and they were desired to consider how ihey would answer it in the world to come. It was also observed, that sometimes the death of pa- rents had a good effect on divers sober young people, they being thereby led more seriously to think on their own mortality, and to consider the great loss of their caivful and religious fathers and mothers, and the good eximple and counsel they gave them. This meeting concluded with a solid, weighty frame of mind in many. From Burlington 1 went to Mount-Holly, had a large meeting at the meeting-house, and another in the even- ing at Mount- Holly town, at the house of Thomas Shinn ; both of which were open meetings, and divers people, not of our profession, were there, who were well satisfied therewith. From Mount-Holly I went to Evesham and Chester, as also to Haddonfield, at all which places I had large meetings, and then I went back to Burlington, and was at their fifth day meeting. From Burlington I went with Richard Smith, Caleb Raper, and Jonathan Wright, to visit a friend who was sick, after which the said friends accompanied me to the ferry ; after I was over the ferry I rode home, where I found my family well, for which I was thankful. In the fore part of the tenth month, our worthy friend, John Fothergill sailed in the brigantine Joseph, Ralph Loftus, master, for Barbadoes, he having made a third visit to America from Europe, on a religious ac- count. His visit was acceptable and serviceable, and 270 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. we parted in great love and tenderness. The night be- fore, about the eleventh hour, was an earthquake, which was the greatest known in this province, the whole city ot" Philadelphia being shaken, and most part of the ad- jacent provinces, though little or no damage was done thereby, which shews the abundant mercy of a merciful God ; as also, if it were the ple^isure of his will, how soon he can lay cities and countries waste and desolate, and bury thousands in a moment. But, notwithstanding the mighty power of the eternal Jehovah, Oh ! how hard are the people's hearts, and how they hate to be reform- ed, and how unconcerned are the inhabitants of the land about their eternal peace and well-being ! This is really lamentable. Oh ! how do earthly mindedness, pride, covetousness, and drunkenness abound, with many other evils, which were scarcely known amongst the first set- tlers of this peaceful, and now plentiful land of Penn- sylvania. The 26th of the twelfth month (being the first day of the week) was buried, at Merion, Edward Jones, aged about ninety-two years. He was one of the first settlers of Pennsylvania, and a man much given to hospitality ; a lover of good and virtuous people, and was likewise beloved by them. There were man}' hundreds of peo- ple at his funeral. I had a concern to be at this meeting before I left my place at Frankfort, and before I heard of this friend's decease. The beginning of the first month (being the fifth day of the week) I was sent to, in order to be at the burial of Hannah, the wife of John Mickle, at NewtowMi, in West-Jersey. My kinsman, Daniel Stanton, was with me at this burial. It was a solid, heart-melting time ; my heart was broken into tenderness with many others. This deceased friend was much beloved by her friends and neighbours, and there was much mourning among her relations at the grave, among whom she will be greatly missed. The people vv^re desired earnestly to prepare for their latter end, and final change ; and that, as we had all reason to hope it was well with our deceas- ed friend, we might likewise have a well grounded hope THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 271 that it would be well with ourselves, when we came to put ofl^ our mortality, and put on immortality. The meeting ended with fervent supplication for our future well-doing and well-behig, both here and hereafter, and praise to the Most High, who is alone worthy forever more. As soon as I returned to Philadelphia, on the sixth day of the week, I heard of the death of Joseph Kirkbride, at Israel Pemberton's, who told me I was desired to be at his burial. He, his son, and William Logan, accom- panied me as far as Samuel Bunting's that afternoon, with which journey I was exceedingly tired, so that I could hardly stand or go when I alighted off my horse, but being refreshed with a good night's rest, I went in the morning to the house of my deceased friend. There was a multitude of people at the burial, among whom we had a good opportunity to invite them to lay hold on truth and righteousness, and prepare for another world. They were reminded, that neither natural wisdom nor riches, youth nor strength, crowns nor sceptres, would nor could secure them from the stroke of death. Robert Jordan was at this meeting, and had good service there- in ; it concluded in supplication for the widow and father- less, and for mankind universally. Fourth day, being the fourth of the first month, I was at Middletown meet- ing, in company with Thomas Brown, wherein the div- inity of Christ, and his being made flesh, born of a vir- gin, crucified, dead and buried, and his being raised from the dead by the divine power, was largely opened to the people, and that the same power must be witness- ed to reform our lives, and give us the true saving faith and knowledge of God the Father, and Christ the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This month, at our general spring meeting, I acquaint- ed friends, that I had a desire, once more to see my friends in Virginia, Maryland, and North- Carolina, if health and strength did permit, and divine providence favoured, I not having yet fully recovered my former health and strength : the meeting consented to my request. 272 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHAT.KI.RY. The latter end of the first montli I was at the burial of Robert Evan, ot North- Wales ; he was upwarck of four- score years of age, and one of the first settlers there. A man who lived and died in the love of God and his neigh- bours, of whom, I believe it might be truly said, as our Saviour said of Nathaniel : " Behold an Israelite in- deed, in whom there is no guile." He was a minister of Christ, full of divine and religious matter. In this month I was at Fairhill, at a meeting appointed for Ruth Courtley and Susannah Hudson, who were on a religious visit from Ireland, to friends in this and the adjacent provinces. It was a good meeting, the friends speakings to the state thereof. The beginning of the second month, I went over Delaware, and so to Cohansey, intending home be- fore I set out for my journey to the southward ; but my affairs not answering to come home, and afterward, to reach the yearly meeting of friends at West- River, the which I proposed to our general meeting ; I now wrote to my wife and family, that I intended to proceed to West- River meeting, it saving me much time and riding, and after having been at several meetings at Co- hansey, and at the yearly meeting at Salem, and at a meeting at Piles-Grove ; being accompanied by a friend of Salem, I proceeded, and \\ ent over Delaware river, and first had a meeting at Gtorge's-creek, and from thence to the head of Sassafras river, where we had a meeting, but by reason of the wet weather it was but small : thence we travelled to Cecil meeting, and so on to Chester, where we had a meeting on first day ; then to Queen Ann's county, and back from thence to New- town, on Chester river, at which town we had a large Siitisfactory meeting ; in which it was shewn that no Christian might or could break the moral part of the law, for it, said the apostle, is a school-master to bring to Christ, and that those who come to the gospel of Christ, G^n in no wise break the least commandment of God. As for example, the law saith, Thou shait not forswear thyself; but if a man (according to Christ's gospel) THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 273 swears not at all, then that man cannot forswear himself. Again the law saith, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate tliine enemy ; but Christ says, love your enemies ; the which if we do, there is no doubt but we shall love our neighbours. Again the law says, Thou shalt not commit adultery ; but if according to the doctrine and gospel of Christ, a man doth not look on a woman with a lustful eye, there is no danger of committing adultery with her, &.C. Those things were largely spoken to and open- ed in the meeting, and the people (ih-re being many not of our society) were very attentive and sober, and tae good hand of the Almighty was amongst us in this meet- ing. From Chester river, we crossed Chesapeak bay, to the yearlv meeting at Wesi-River, with Chester friends, in William Thomas's boat, and sent our horses over by Keiit- Island to West-River, where we met with our friends Michael Lightfoot, Elizabeth VVyat, and Grace Mason, with divers others : (E izabeth and Grace, being on their return home from a religious visit to North- Car- olina and Virginia) : we all being far from home, and well acquainted, were glad to see one another, being thankful to the Almighty, who had been pleased to preserve us so far on our way. After the meeting was ended at West-River, taking leave in the love of Christ of divers friends, with hearts full of love, and eyes full of tears, as never expecting to see one another again, I with my companion and Armiger Trotter (who came up with the friends from Virginia to West- River) set out for Vir- ginia, and having passed over Patuxent river, had a meet- ing among the family of the Plummers, one of whom, with another friend, accompanied us to the river Poto- mac ; we rode as near as we could compute it sixty miles that day. I being heavy and aged, and the weather hot, was very much tired, and laid down in my clothes all night, and the next morning ferried over the river Poto- mac, computed about three miles over, and parted with our guides. When over this river, we travelled fifteen miles to William Duft's, had a meeting there, and from tlience to a meeting of friends at John Cheagle's, and so N n 27" -t THE JOURNAL OF TIIOJ^IAS CHALKLEY. to Black-crcfk, had a meeting there, and then went to the monthly mtetiii_^ of friends on the west side of James- Ri^•er, and so to William Lad's, after which v/e went to the monthly meeting of friends at Nansemond-River, and from thence to Carolina, and on a first day had a large meeting at a new meeting-house built to accommodate the yearly meeting; it was a good, solid meeting, and there the friends a])pointed for us the meetings follow- irig. Third day of the week, being the 13th of the fourth month, at Joseph Barrow's, fourth day at Jacob Butler's, fifth day at Samuel Newby's, sixth and first day at the iip])er meeting-house at Little- River, and thiid day at the lower meeting-house on said river, and fourth day at Pasquotank, and fifth day at Amos Trueblood's, up Pas- quotank river, ar;d then we went to the quarterly-meeting for friends in North-Carolina, which was very large ; the ptople were exhorted to overcome sin as Christ over- came, that they might sit with him in his kingdom, as he overcame, and is set down in the kingdom ot God his father : that subject was largely spoken to that day, and we had a good opportunit} with the people, and the great name of God was exalted over all. After this quarter- ly-mteting we had a meeting at James Wilson's, in the Barrens, which was a large, good and open meeting : in the conclusion thereof, I told them, that I came amorg th( m in great love (though in a cross to my own will, with respect to my age, and the heat of the weather) be- ing willing to see them, in that province, once more be- fore I left this world ; and, as I came in love, so I parted with them ; desiring thtm, to dwell in love, and peace, and then the God of love would be with them. From Carolina we travelled into Virginia (Zachariah Nic ksoi^ accompanying us)aiid had a meetingat the widow Newby's, and fiom thence had a meeting at Nansemond, and so to the Branch, where we had a very large meet- ing. Many people were there not of our society, and were very attentive and sober : and next day, being the second day of the week, we had a satisfactory meeting ai Benntt's-creek ; and thence to Chuckatuck ; and so on to Rasper- neck ; und then lo Pagan- creek ; thence in- ■ THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 275 to Snrrv county, to S imuel Sebrell's ; and thence to Robert Honiciit's ; had a meeting there, then to Curl's, up James- River ; to Thomas and John Pleasant's, had a meeting there on a first day, and then to the Swamp and Cedar-creek ; and so on to John Cheagle's. We came to John Cheagle's the 20th of the fifdi month, being the fifth day of the week; and, being un- willing to be idle on sixth and seventh days, (intending to have a meeting at his house on first day, I asked John if he could tell me where we could have meetings sixth and seventh days? He said he could; and ac- cordingly he appointed one about three miles from his house, and another about six miles off; at which places we had good service: and then had a very large meet- ing at his house, on first day, which was, I hoj)e, to pretty general satisfaction, to the religious part of the people. From thence we travelled' to William Duff's, (John and another friend going with us), and hid a m< -ting at their meeting-house ; and afterwards Will- iam went with us over Potomac river, as far as Piscat* away, in Maryland. This river is computed to be near four miles over. When we were about the middle, there was a large swell in the river, so that our horses could not stand,, and the motion of the boat made them fall down, and the boat having much water in it, being very leaky, she was near oversetting; they in the boat were in some concern and consternation, saying, when we came to the shore, that they did not remember that they were ever before in the like danger. And I ap- prehend we were in danger ; and if the boat had overset, in all likelihood, we might all have been drowned. And I then thought I was in the service of Christ, my great master ; and I also knew, I must die, and I thought I might as well die in his service as my own ; so I gave up my life for Christ's sake, and he gave it to me again. Oh ! may I, with all those who sincerely love him, serve him truly all our days, is my desire ! From Piscataway we travelled to Patuxent, to the fom- ily of the Plummers, vvho were ten sons of one father and mother, and were convinced about the time I first 276 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. had meetii^gs in those parts, and, so far as I know, they are all sober men. After this meetinj^ we went to Gerard Hopkins', and from thence to Patapsco, had a lart^e meetinj^, the house being full beibre the friends came, so that they were hard set to get in ; to me it was a good, seasonable op- portunity, as was our next in the forest of Gunpowder river; where friends have built a new meeting-house, \A hich, at this time, could not contain the people. From Gunpowder river we went to Bush-river, had a good, o])en meeting, and one at Deer-creek, and so over Sus- quehannah to Elihu Hall's. At West-Nottingham I parted with my companion, he having about a day's travel home. I had two meetings on first day at the great meeting-house at West-Notting- ham, which were very large, and Friends glad to see me once more. And after having meetings at Christi- ana-bridge, Wilmington, Center, and Kennet, went to the quarterly-meeting of ministers at Concord, and was there first and second day, and third day at Darby; all which were very large meetings, and friends were satisfied and comforted, arid I was encouraged in the work and service of the gospel of Christ. From Darby I went home, hav- ing been abroad about four months, and rode, by compu- tation, above eleven hundred miles, and was at about sevent} meetings. While I was on this journey, I had an account of the death of my dear and only brother, George Chalkley, a religious, prudent man ; he died the 24th of the ninth month, 1737, near the seventieth year of his age, and left behind him a mournful widow and four daughters, all virtuous women. When in Virgiriia, I wrote to those of our society at Opeckon, Shenandoah, &c. (many of whom went out of our ])rovince to settle in the government of Virginia) to the following eft'ect. THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. aTT TO FRIENDS OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING AT OPECKON. " Virginia, at John Cheagle's, 2\sf 5th Mo. 1738. *' Dear Friends who inhabit Shenandoah and Opeckon, *' Having a concern for your welfare and prosperity, both now and hereafter, and also the prosperity of your children, I had a desire to see you ; but being in years, and heavy, and much spent and fatigued with my lo]ig journies in Virginia and Carolina, make it seem too hard for me to perform a visit in person to you ; wherefore I take this way of writing to discharge my mind of what lies weightily thereon : and, 1st. I desire that you be very careful, (being far and back inhabitants), to keep a friendly correspondence with the native Indians, giving them no occasion of offence ; they being a cruel and merciless enemy, where they think they are wronged or defrauded of their right, as woful experience hath taught, in Carolina, Virginia, and Mary- land, and especially in New- England, &C. and, 2d. As nature hath given them, and their forefathers, the possession of this continent of America, (or this wil- derness), they had a natural right thereto, in justice and equity ; and no people, according to the law of nature and justice, and our own principle, which is according to the glorious gospel of our dear and holy Lord Jesus Christ, ought to take away, or settle, on other men's lands or rights, without consent, or purchasing the same, by agreement of parties concerned; which, I suppose, in your case, is not yet done. 3d. Therefore my counsel and christian advice to you, is, my dear friends, that the most reputable among you, do, with speed, endeavour to agree with and purchase your lands of the native Indians or inhabitants : take ex- ample of our worthy and honourable late proprietor, William Penn ; who, by his wise and religious care, in that relation, hath settled a lasting peace and commerce 278 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. with the natives, and, throut^h his prudent management therein, hath been instrumental to plant in peace, one of the most fl jurishinj^ provinces in the world. 4rh. Who would run the risque of the lives of their wives and children, for the sparine: a little cosi and pains? I am concerned to lay those things before you, und^ r an uncommon exercise of mind, that your new and flourish- ing little settlement might not be laid waste, and, if the providence of the Almighty doth not intervene, some of the blood of yourselves, wives or children, be shed and spilt on the ground. 5th. Consider you are in the province of Virginia, holding what rights you have under that government ; and the Virginians have made an agreement with the natives, to go as far as the mountains, but no farther ; and you are over and beyond the mountain*^, therefore out of that agreement ; by which yoiu lie open to the insults and in- cursions of the southern Indians, who hcive destro\ cd many of the inhabitants of Carolina and Virginia, and even now have destroyed more on the like occasion. The English, going beyond the bounds of their agree- ment, eleven of them were killed by the Indians while we were travelling in Virginia. 6th. If you believe yourselves to be within the bounds of William Penn's patent from King Charles II. which will be hard for you to prove, you being far to the south- ward of his line ; yet, if done, that is of no consideration with the Indians, without a purchase of them ; except you will go about to convince them by lire and sword, contrary to our principles ; and, if that were done, they would ever be implacable enemies, and the land could never be enjoyed in peace. 7th. Please to note, that in Pennsylvania no new set- tlements are made, without an agreement with the na- tives; as witness, Lancaster county, lately settled; though that is far ^^ ithin the grant of William Penn's pat- ent from King Charle«; II. ; wherefore you lie open to in- surrections of the northern as well as southern Indians. And, lastly, thus having shewn my good will to you, and to your new little settlement, that you might sit every TKE JOUR>fAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 279 one under your own shady tree, where none might make you afraid, and that you might prosper naturally and spiritually, you and your children; and having a little eased my mind of that weight and concern, in some measure, that lay upon me, I, at present, desist, and sub- scribe, in the love of our holy Lord Jesus Christ, Your real Friend, " T. CHALKLEY." After my return from this journey, I stayed much at home that winter, travelling now being hard for me, so that I could not perform long journies as formerly, being more broken in the long and hard travelling in this jour- ney, than in divers years before. In the year 1739, I took several short or lesser jour- nies, and had many meetings in divers places, as in Sa- lem and Burlington counties, in West-Jersey, and Phil- adelphia, Chester and Bucks counties, in Pennsylvania, ^ having many large and comfortable meetings, and some satisfactory service in divers of them. This year the war broke out between Great-Britain and Spain ; the Spaniards giving great occasion of of- fence to the Bri ish nation; notwithstanding which. King George IL sought to accommodate matters peaceably ; but the crown of Spain not complying with the terms agreed on for an accommodation, therefore war was pro- claimed ; which occasioned much disturbance and dis- traction in our little peaceable province and govern- ment ; war being destructive to life, health, and trade, the peace and prosperity of the people, and absolutely against the doctrine and practice of the Prince of life and peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; a great concern came on my mind to promote his doctrine ; in order to which I was largely concerned to treat thereof in or at the general spring meeting at Philadelphia ; with which service divers wise and pious people were well sat- isfied, though some were offended. 280 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. When the meeting was over, 1 having a desire and coneern once more to visit friends in the lower counties, Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, among whom I had not travelled lor near twenty years, and being now a little better in health than 1 had been, I set out from my home, and went to Chester, and from thence to Wil- mington, and had a meeting there ; and then to New- castle, where we had another ; William Hammond being with me, he and I went from Newcastle to George's- creck, had a meeting there ; and then went to Duck- creek : after having two meetings at Duck-creek, I went to Little-creek meeting, and so proceeded to the Mother- kills, where I had a large, open time, in preaching the gospel to the people, which divers of them received with gladness ; and there were many, not of our society, who were very sober and attentive, a door being open among them ; yet, notwithstandmg there may be much open- ness both in speakers and hearers, I have observed, with sorrow, that there are but few who retain the truth so as to be really converted ; many are convinced, but few converted and come to be regenerated or born again, as our Saviour taught. From Mother-kills I went back to Little-creek, to Timothy Hanson's, he accompanying me; and fiom Timothy's I went to Duck-creek, and from thence to Ap- poquinamy to the burial of a friend's son, who died of the small-pox ; on which occasion we had a solid meet- ing, the mournful relations being thankful for our com- pany. From Appoquinamy I ^vent to John M' Cool's, and from thence to Newcastle ; whe we had a large, open meeting, to the satisfaction of divers ; though I was very weakly and poorly^ as to my health, so that it was hard for me to stoop to take any thing from the ground, and with difficulty I walked from the friend's house to the meeting ; but being helped by grace, and carried through the service of the meeting be} ond my expecta- tion, was, with divers others, truly thankful to God the father, and Christ, my Lord and Saviour. From Newcastle I went to Wilmington, had a meet- ing there, and from thence to Newark, to the marriage of THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 281 Alexander Seaton. The meeting was uncommonly large, and to general satisfaction. From Newark I went back to Wilmington, and from thence to the Center monthly meeting, and so on to Ken net, where was a very large meeting. Here divers, who had professed among us, refrained coming to the public meetings for divine worship; with whom, next day, we had a meeting, wherein the evil consequence of forsaking the assembling ourselves together was spoke to, and that it would be a great hurt to the young and rising generation, and themselves also ; being a bad ex- ample to them, and contrary to the advice and counsel of the holy apostle, " Not to forsake the assembling ourselves together, as the manner of some is." From Kennet I went to Concord, to the burial of Benjamin Mendenhall, where we had a large and solid meeting, several lively testmionies being borne therein. This friend was a worthy elder, and a serviceable man in our society, and one of the first or early settlers in Pennsylvania; a man given to hospitality, and a good example to his family, and hath left divers hopeful chil- dren surviving him. The night before this meeting I lodged at the widow Gilpin's, whose husband, Joseph Gilpin, was lately de- ceased. There was true christian love and friendship between us for above fifty years. When first I saw Jo,- seph in Pennsylvania, he lived in a cave in the earth, where we enjoyed each other's company in the love and fear of God. This friend had fifteen children, whoiii he lived to see brought up to the states of men and women, and all but two married well, and to his mind. From Concord I went to Wilmington, and from thence, after meeting, to Newcastle, where I, with George Hogg, went over the river Delaware into Penn's- neck, and had a meeting at James Wilson's. From Penn's-neck we went to Salem, and thence to Cohnn- sey, where I had several meetings at Greenwich, and at the head of AUoway's- creek ; also at David Davis's, where the people kindly lent us the benches, of theii" o o '2^2 THE JOURNAL OP THOMAS CHALKLEY. meeting-house, and many of them came themselves^ and were very attentive ; after which I went to I'ile's- Grove, and had a meeting there, and from thence to Wood berry -creek, and so to Gloucester, where 1 ferried over the Delaware to Philadelphia, and from thence home, having travelled about five hundred miles in this journey, after which I stayed at and about home for Some time. I was at the vearlv meetina: at Burlins:ton in the sev- enth month ; going to this meeting, my horse started, and threw me, which hurt my shoulder and hip badly, of which hurt I did not recover for above half a year. This meeting was very large, and though I was out- AV ardly in misery and pain, yet, in the sense of the love and goodness of God, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christy I was, with many others, much comforted in spirit. From Burlington I travelled to Shrewsbury, having •several meetings by the way ; as, at Bordenton, Cross- wicks, Trenton, Sec. This journey I rode in much pain ; but the satisfaction I had in meetings through the spirit and power of the Most High, made amends for all the labor and pain I underwent. I bless the sacred name of God, and may I do it forever ! I made what haste I could home, being in pain with my fall, and tar- ried at home most of the winter, which was one of the longest and hardest known in these parts by some of the oldest livers here ; divers people being frozen to death in several places, and many sheep and cattle perishing, and much of the winter grain killed with the frost, so that there was some apprehension of a want of bread : all which I took to be warnings of the just and righteous judgments of God for the ingratitude, pride, and other sins and iniquities of the people, the which I was divers times, and at divers places, concerned to put them in mind of. How well would it be if the people would lay the judgments of the Most High to heart ; and when his judgments are abroad in the earth, that the inhabit- ants would learn righteousness ! After this winter, I was at a general-meeting at Ger- •mantown, and at meetings at North- Wales, Horsham, THE JOURNAL OP THOMAi CHALKLEY. 28^ and Bybury, and from thence, with Joseph Gilbert, went to Burlington, and was at a marriage there, and then returned home. In the second month, I was under an inward and re- ligous eng:igement in my mind to visit the meetings of friends in Gloucester and Salem counties, in West- Jersey; and the 19th of said rnonth, I went over Delaware river, and was at Haddonfield on a first day, and third day at Chester, fourth day had a meeting at the house of Josi- ah Foster, and fifth day at Evesham ; from which meet- ing I went to John Estaugh's, Ebenezer Large and Samuel Jordan being with me. In the morning we went to Woodberry-creek meeting, and next day down to Salem, in order for the yearly meeting, which began on the 26th of the second month, and was an extraordinary solid meeting, the divine presence and glory being richly manifested amongst us. From Salem I went, in company with John Evans and Elizabeth Stevens, to Alloway's-creek and Cohan- sey, where we had meetings, I believe, to the satisfac- tion of many. Here I parted with said friends ; and, not being well, I stayed at Greenwich, and they went to David Davis's, in order for Pile's-Grove meeting. The 3d of the third month, being the first of the week, I was at Cohansey meeting, which was solid and weighty; in which the mighty works of God, and his wonderful power was set forth to the people in divers respects. 1st. As to the work of the creation of the heavens and the earth, and of man to govern in the earth, re- serving to himself the government of man ; to whora he gave a law, for the breach of which he was turned out of Paradise, and brought death into the world. 2d. Notwithstanding man's fall, God had love, mer- cy, and compassion towards him, and promised that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent, who led them astray, which seed was Christ, whom all are commanded to hear, believe, and follow, in the practice of his holy doctrine, which is contained in his words spoken to his immediate disciples andapos- 284- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKI.EY. tics, and likewise made known and revealed in our hearts. 3d. That now in our day his righteous judgments arc abroad in the earth, as the sword, and a threatening of famine, or want of bread ; all which was spoken in the tender love and fear of God, and faith of Christ, and all Were entreated to lay these things to heart, and " turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy ; and to our God, and lie w ill abundantly pardon." In this meeting God was glorified, and his name magnified, through the as- sistance of the spirit of his dear Son, our Lord. From Cohansey 1 went to Salem, and thence to David Davis's, \v here Me had a meeting, at which were several people of divers professions, \a ho were satisfied and ed- ified therein ; and thence we went to Pile's- Grove meet-p ing, afterwards into Penn's-neck, and had a good open meeting at the widow Hugh's, and so to Woodberry- creck meeting, \\hich, I hope, was serviceable; ...fter which 1 went home with my friend James Lord's widow, who, with her sister Ann Cooper and Joseph Clews, went with me to Gloucester jail, where we visited one under sentence of death for sieaiing. 1 asked him if he truly repented of that sin of stealing, of which he had been so often gnilty ? He told me, he hoj)ed he had, and was willing to die. He was recommended to the grace of God, and to keep in an humble frame of mind, and beg mercy of the Alnjght) for the sake of Christ, for all his sins. While a friend was praying b) him, he was broken into icnderness. Here the afore said friends pari^ed from me ; I cross- ing the river Delaware to Philade!})hia, and so home to Frankfort. I was at ten meetings in this journey, be- sides the yearly meeting at Salem, and travelled about one hundred and fifty miles ; but travelling was jjainful to my body; for now^ I more and more felt the effects of many old falls and bruises, which much disabled and, hurt me in riding. In the fourth month I was at divers meetings about or near home, as at Fair-hill, Germantown, and at a meet- ing at Thomas Roberts' ; also was at Philadelphia meet- THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 2f85 uig. In the beginning; of the fifth month, I visited friends meetings at Darby, Merion, and Haverford ; at the last place, the meeting was large, and very open ; wherein the mighty power of God was exalted over all and it was plainly manifested, that if there was any virtue, or any good gift or genius in the creature, it derived its excellency from the Creator ; and that man, in his best capacity, in either natural or spiritual attainments, hath no cause to boast or glory in any thing or things, which he, as an instrument in the divine hand, might help to do or perform ; wherefore we ought to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, attributing no glory to self, or the creature ; but all glory and praise to the Creator, who is in and over all blessed forever. The 20th of the fifth month, I set forward on a jour- ney, in order to visit friends at and near Burlington, and was next day at a meeting at Bristol, which was large, considering the heat of the weather, and the shortness of the notice ; next day being the fourth day of the week, and the 22d of the month, I was at Mount- Holly, at the burial of our ancient friend. Restored Lippincot : he was, as I understood, near a hundred years of age, and had up- wards of two hundred children, grand-children, and great-grand-children, many of whom were at his funeral ; the meeting was large, and thought to be a serviceable meeting by divers. After this meeting, I went with a few choice friends to visit Susanna Fearon, who had been long ill ; in which visit we were favoured with the divine presence and goodness of the Most High ; for which we returned him thanks and praise. After which we went to Burlington, and next day had a meeting, which was an acceptable op])ortunity to many. Next first day, being the 27th of the month, we had a good solid meeting at Trenton ; from thence I went, with divers friends, to Bristol, and so home to Frankfort ; and was thankful to the Almighty for the grace which he was pleased to bestow upon me, a poor worm ; and that, considering the extreme heat, I had my health better'than usual. After coming home, I visited divers meetings^ at Philadelphia, Haddonfield, Frankfort, &c.' ^28G THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. In the sixth month there was a great mortality in Phil- adelphia, and many were taken away ; on a fifth da} , I was concerned to put the people in mind of it, and of their own mortality, and exiiorted them to prepare for it, they not knowin,^ whose turn it might be next, nor the hour when death might come to their own habitations ; and was concerned, in the same nature, at several large burials. In the meeting at Philadelphia, they were told, it was better to fall into the hands of the Lord than into the hands of men : and that since we had been settled in this province of Pennsylvania, we were preserved from the hands of men ; there having never been an enemy in it, in a warlike way ; our dependence being in Provi- dence, and our principle against war, and against spilling of human blood by wars and fighting, according to the doctrine of Christ, the peaceable Saviour ; wherefore I believe the hand of God was manifested in preserving us in peace : yet I would not be understood to be against the magistrates exercising the power committed to them» according to just law; but national wars, woful exjjeri- ence teacheth, are destructive to the peaceable religion of Jesus, to trade, wealth, health and happiness. Our dear Lord preached peace to the people, and against wars ; telling his followers, " That they must love and pray for their enemies, and rather take a stroke or a blow, than give one ; and that they should not resist evil;" which peaceable doctrine of Christ, the Jews could not away with ; no, no, by no means : " Oh ! (say they) if we let this man alone, the Romans will come and take away our place and nation ;" just as the people now say in this province, among and to those peaceable men, who, for the sake of Christ and his doctrine, cannot use the sword; " The Romans will come and take our country, if we do not build forts and castles, and have military prepar- ations :" and I wish it were not true, that some who pro- fess this peaceable principle, too much endeavour to smother, stifle, and keep under, this peaceable doctrine, through a slavish fear, and too much distrusting of the Divine Providence, which may cause the divine hand to deliver us to the Romans indeed ; at which I should not THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 287 wonder, since we distrust that divine hand, that hath hith- erto preserved us, without our preparing for war, above these fifty years. To which I know that it is objected ; *' But now there are abundance of people who are not of that principle." I answer, then why did they come among us, if they could not trust themselves with our principles, which they knew, or might have known, if they would ? The King gave the province, and the gov- ernment of it, to our worthy proprietor, Williajm Penn ; who was a man of this peaceable principle ; for which the heathens loved him and honour his name and memory to this day, and those of his society and principles ; whereof I am a living witness. The sense of the sweet- ness and social life that the first settlers of the province of Penns) Ivania and the city of Philadelphia lived in, makes me express myself in this manner. Oh ! that the in- habitants of the city and country, did but live and dwell in that first love, and hold it fast ; and then I believe that the Almighty would not suffer any to take our crown ; which crown is righteousness, peace, and love, through true faith ; which true faith works by love in Christ Jesus. On the last day of the fifth month, I acquainted my friends of the monthly meeting of Philadelphia, with a concern I had been some time under, to visit the people in the Virgin islands, and more particularly in Anguilla and Tortola ; in order to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ freely, to those who might have a desire to hear, as the Lord should be pleased to open my way : and my friends having unity with me therein, at their next meeting, gave me a certificate of their concurrence! soon after which, having settled my affairs, and taken leave of my dear wife and daughter, and the rest of my family and friends ; on the 19th day of the seventh month, I embarked at Philadelphia, in the sloop John, PeteF Blunder, master, bound for the island of Tortola. We sailed down the river, and came to an anchor near Christiana-creek that night, in which there was a violent storm, which drove several vessels on the marshes ; so tjiat when tlie tide ebhed^ one might walk 2.'8S The journal of tkomas chalkley. round them. Next day we sailed to Reedy-Island, uhere we waited for a fair wind : we sailed down the bay in eompany with two sloops, one bound for Bermu- da, the other for the island of Christopher's ; and left the capes on the 23d day of the month, and in eighteen days from that lime fell in with the island of Thomas, and in one day more turned up to TortoUi. In this voyage we saw nine sail of vessels; but spoke with none of them : had a rough passage, the wind being high and contrary above a week, and much rain ; yet through the mercy and grace of God, I was preserved above all fear, except the holy fear of the living Lord, in which I blessed his holy name. On the 12th day of the eighth m.onth, John Pickering, the owner of the sloop, (who was likewise governor of the island) \\ith his spouse, met me at the water side, and lovingly embraced me, and led me up to their house, and the same evening, had a meeting at his house ; and on the 15th of the month, being the fifth day of the week, we had a large, satisfactory meeting, at which were many- people, divers of them not of our profession; and, I think, the good hand of the Lord was with us. I was concern- ed in this meeting to shew, that tlie last dispensation of God to mankind, in and through his dear Son, was a spiritual dispensation ; a dispensation of pure, divine love, which is to last and be with the true believers in Christ forever, according to his own doctrine in the New Testament. On the first day of the week, and the 18th of the month, we had another meeting, larger than the former, (and the governor told me, he had never seen so large a gath- ering on the island, on any. occasion), my spirit was much set at liberty in this meeting, and great openness and brokenness was among the people, so that the gos^ pel was freely and largely declared to them. The case of Cornelius, and of the apostle Peter going to his house, was treated of, with divers other matters, tending to ed- ification. I was so affected with the power, spirit, and srrace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that when the meetino- ^was over I withdrew, and in private poured out my soitl THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 289 before the Lord, and beg,^ed that he would be pleased to manifest his power and glorious gospel more and more. At this meeting there was a woman who had suffered much for her going to meetings ; her husband being a proud, haughty man, had beat her to the drawing of blood; he also drew his sword, and presented his pistol, with threatenings to kill her ; but she thanked God, that she was resigned to lose her life for Christ's sake : this woman expressed some words in supplication in this meeting in a broken manner. There was also another, (a beautiful young woman) whose father had turned her out of doors for coming to friends' meetings. I went, with the governor and his wife, to visit a few families up in the mountains, and had a meeting, in which was great brokenness and tenderness in the time of prayer. On second day we visited several families in the di- vision called the road, to which we went by water in a coble, somewhat like our canoes, there were four of these in company, five persons in two of them, and seven in the other two. In this visiting of families, the people came and filled the rooms, and we had seasonable meetings, in which the people were so loving, and well affected, that we could seldom go in a friendly way to visit our friends, but they would presently fill their rooms, and we scarcely could depart, without having a time of wor- ship. Next day we went to visit a young man's habitation (who had not yet finished his house) and the neighbour? coming in as usual, we had a good meeting. I cannot but note, that the hand of the Lord God was with us, and I felt his visitation as fresh and lively ag ever ; for which I was truly thankful, and thought if I never saw my habitation again, I was satisfied in this g;ospel call, and religious visit ; though, being in years, it was sometimes a little troublesome to the flesh ; being in the sixty-sixth year of my age, and stiff in all my limbs from hurts with many falls and bruises ; but, as to my health, I had it better now than for several years past ; for which I am humbly thankful to him, in whom vp 290 THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY, we live and have our being ; glory to his name, through his dear Son. Third and fourth days, visited several families, and had divers good opportunities : in one of those meetings, a } oung man, named Jeremi.th Martin, spoke a few words in pra} er ; in which season we were, 1 think, all broken into tenderness ; so that in truth we might say, that the power and spirit of Christ was with and among us, and his great name was praised. Fifth day, being the week day meeting, it was larger than was ever known of a week day in that place ; there being divers friends who came from an island called Jos. Vandike's, and many neighbours and sober people, who were very attentive. Sixth day, was at several people's houses, and had re- ligious meetings ; which we could not well avoid, the people were so loving and desirous to hear what might be spoken to them ; they being many of them like thirsty ground wanting rain, andr our good and gracious Lord gave us celestial showers, which were refreshing to us, and thankfully received. Seventh day I went with several friends to the house of one who, with his wife, had been at our meeting on fifth day ; he kindly invited me to his house ; his name was Blake ; he and his wife were loving ; though he had formerly wrote against friends, he was now better inform- ed. From his house I went to Townsend Bishop's, and there being many friends from another island, we had a most comfortable, tender evening meeting, in which we oifered up an evening sacrifice of praise and thanksgiv- ing to the holy name of the living eternal God, and his dear Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through the irifluence of the Holy Spirit, one God over all blessed forever. And, On the first day of the week, being the 25th of the month, we had a L rger meeting than ordinary ; and, in expectation of larger meetings than usual, the governor, John Pickering, had made several new forms to accom- modate the people yt his own house, w^hich he sent six miles on men's heads, the roads not being passable for THE JOURNAL OF THOMAS CHALKLEY. 291 carriage by carts, &c. This I think worth noting, that their zeal may be had in remembrance, and that others may be stirred up to a more rehgious concern, who will scarce go six steps to a religious meeting, or will not go at all. In this meeting I was concerned to speak of and set forth the doctrine of Christ, which he ])reached on the Mount, contained in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Mathew ; and to press the people to come to the practice of what is there commanded by the great author of the christian religion ; and to shew that the despi ed quakers had learned, out of that excellent sermon, much of their religion, which displeases many people, and di- vers of the great men of the world ; and to urge them to regard the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, and hath appeared to all men. In this meeting, Dorcas, the wife of John Pickering, spoke to the people in public testimony, to which they gave good attention. After meeting, we returned by water from the Road- Harbour to Fat-Hog bay, where John Pickering lives, being upwards of twenty of us in company, in three co- bles. These two weeks I spent in the island of Tortola, to my great satisfaction. The Journal of this worthy friend ending liere^ the fol- lowing supplement is collected from some notes sent by a friend of that island^ giving an account of his further services^ sickness, and death. THE SUPPLEMENT. On the second day of the third week of his bein,^ among us, he vibittd some friends in the neighbourhood, uiid likewise the man who had treated his wife so cruelly for coming to friends' meetings. On third day, he was employed cheifly in writing to his family and friends ia Philadelphia. On fourth day, some friends from the road came to see him, which prevented his going out to visit the neighbours, as usual. Oa fifth day morning, being ihe 29th of the eighth inonth, he found himself much indisposed; yet he went to our week day meeting, about a quarter of a mile. When the meeting broke up, he had a hot fever upon him ; doctor Turnbull (the chief physician in our island) thought it proper to take some blood from him, and he being very willing, it was done that afternoon, and the fever abated some time that night ; and next day walk- ed about, and made no complaint until about eight o'clock in the evening ; about which time the fever re- turned, and continued very severe till first day morning, wiien the doctor advised him to take a vomit, which he declihtd that day, being desirous of attending the meet- ii g, which was held at my house, and was a large, sweet, and tender meeting ; in which he spoke to us concering temptations, and how Christ was tempted, and how to withstand them ; and afterwards on the parable of the great supper, and other subjects ; ending his testimony with the words of the apostle Paul, I have fought a good ■fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous- ness : which words, and most part of this last sermon, SUPPLEMENT. were delivered in great brokenness ; from whence I judged that he was sensible that he had not long to live, though, I believe, he was not afraid to die. On second day morning, the fever abated a little, and he complied with the doctor's prescription of taking a vomit, which seemed to have its proper effect ; but that night the fever returned, and continued on him until he died ; which was between two and three o'clock on fourth day morning, the fourth day of the ninth month, being speechless about seven hours before. A general invitation was given to friends and others to his funeral ; where three testimonies were borne, all in great brokenness, under a just sense of our great loss. After which he was decently interred on the even- ing of the said day, in a piece of ground which is since given to friends for a burial place, and on which a meet- ing-house is built by John Pickering, the governor of the island at that time. It is said in the scriptures. That the righteous are taken away, and no man layeth it to heart ; but, I hope, it may be truly said, this was not the case at this time ; for friends, in general, much lamented their great loss, in being so soon deprived of so instructive a friend and elder, whose care over us was very great ; and who, by his loving and exemplary life, and tenderness to people of all ranks and professions, engaged the love and re- spect of almost all the people in the island. We are fully assured, that his labour among us was not in vain, and that many have felt the good effects of it ; so that we believe some of the last words he spoke in public, may justly be applied to him, and that he now enjoys a crown ©f righteousness. ♦• • ♦•••)?,• End of th; journal. THE WORKS OF THOMAS CHALKLEY; CONTAINING, HIS EPISTLES, AND OTHER WRITINGS. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standelh in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful : but his delig-ht is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he med- itate both day and night. PSALM i. 1, 2. PRINTED BY SAMUEL WOOD, NO. 362, PEARL-STREET. 1808. GOD'S GREAT LOVE UNTO MANKIND, THP.OUCH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, this (». e. Christ) i? my beloved son, hear ye him. LUKE ix. 35. If ye love me, keep my commandments. JOHN xiv. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. JOHN iii. 16. b. Christ's love was unfeign- ed to his disciples, nay, to all the world in general : for what greater love ciui there le, than for a man to lay down his life for his friend ; and he not only laid do\jii his life for his friends, but for his enemies also. Rom. v. 10. So that his love was great and unfeigned : we ought ■with the same love to love him again, since that he loved us fnst ; and this cannot be without obedience to his commands. Thus undoubtedly we si^ould, with true love, love him, and one another: this love is exceedingly precious ; it thinks no evil, and we may be sure will not do any willingly or kno^vingl}'. If a man seeth his neighbour or brother in that which is not right, he pray- eth to the Lord to help him, and tenderly admonisheth him; yea, if having this love, he woundeth, his wounds are faithful, for " Faithful are the wounds of a friend." Prov. XXV. 6. He that is thus endued with love, is not hindered from reproving his brother, but if there be a cause, it rather stirs him up to be faithful therein, with- out respect of persons. Oli ! the love that is raised in them that love the Lord above all, it is great to the sons THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 309 and daughters of men ; it doth wonderful things ; it is valiant for God ; it overcomes its enemies : it is not overcome with evil, but it often overcomes evil with good : it smiteth sin in the gate (that is, in its first ap- pearance) before it be entered into man, so as to subject him thereunto ; it gets victory over the devil ; for he cannot stand before God's love. I would to God that people did but know the virtue of love to Christ, and one another in him, it would cause them, for the enjoyment thereof, to forsake all manner of enmity one against an- other, and all things else, how near or dear soever ; yea, though they were as a right hand or a right eye, they would be forsaken for its sake, and for the sake of him that first loved us : and then we should strive, through the ability of his grace (even the grace or spirit which he told Paul was sufficient for him) to love him again, and our neighbour as ourself ; but this cursed self is loved loo much, and our neighbour too little. Paul, the apostle of Christ, did not, after his conver- sion, hate his neighbour, nor was he in enmity with them ; indeed, when he was Saul, he did oppress and in- jure his nearest neighbours and chiefest friends ; for that blind zeal was part of that body of sin and death that was upon him, and from which, by the help of Christ's grace, he was delivered, and came to love his enemies, and for their good hazarded his life ; and, for his love to Christ, laid it down, as many holy martyrs have done since his time. Surely they had not much regard for self, then ! Though it is a common expression now-a-days, * Every one for himself, and God for us all:' but if every one were for his neighbour, or his brother, as much as for himself, God would be the more for us all. But this self-love is, in the sight of the Lord, an abomination, and the great, eternal God abhors it : therefore were the first and second commandments given forth. If all people would obey these two commandments, the whole law and the prophets, yea, and the gospel too, would be all obeyed. But this self is a great enemy unto mankind, and doth very much hinder his eternal happiness ; it shutteth the 310 GOD 8 GREAT LOVE TO MANKIND, ear from hearing the cause of the widow and fatherless, or of the needy, and drowns the cry of the oppressed ; to which we ought not only to lend an ear, but also to ad- minister relief according to their necessity, and our abil- ity. But mankind is too apt to despise the base or low things of the world, and to join with that which is pleas- ant to the eye, and agreeable to the lust of the heart ; (like Dives, the rich glutton of old, who loved self better than poor Lazarus) but do not consider that which is lasting, and would do them good for ever. How shall I express the excellent glory and eternal sweetness of this love to the Lord and our neighbour ? Oh ! how is my soul grieved, and how doth my spirit mourn before the Lord, when I see any walk contrary to the commands of Christ, or that are in enmity to the truth, and in hatred one to another, even from my tender years, ever since God Almighty opened my understanding, and made known to me him that is true : and my cry hath been many times to him, to keep and preserve me in his true love and fear, to the end of my days ; in love both to him and the brethren : but more especially to those that do his will, (although there is universal love in my heart toali). Christ said, " For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Mat. xii. 50. Therefore, my love is more singly unto those. The apostle also thus writes concerning love to the brethren : '* We (says he) know that we have passed from death unto life." (How d d .hey know it ?) " Be- cause we love the brethren ; he h t loveth not his broth- er, abideth in death." 1 John iii. 14. Are they tl>en in death that are in enmity with the brethren ? Assuredly they are, for this enmity is sin ; " And the wages of sin is death." JRom, vi. 23. and those that are therein, are dead while they live. I wish, and heartily pray to the God and Father of spirits, that from the snares of death his people may forever be preserved. Now I would shew people some of the many snares of death and satan. 1st. Some people are too apt to judge one another, and to speak evil of things they know not, except by report THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 311 and supposition, which too often lets in enmity, and is not according to the mind of Christ, but is a snare of the enemy of man's salvation. Surely if people were sensi- ble thereof, they would not so hardly censure one anoth- er ; for indeed we ought to be well satisfied before we give judgment, and then it ought to be in love, and not in eimiity. It is better to suffer, than to censure, or to be judged, than to judge. " Judge not, that ye be not judged/' Mat. vii. 1. said the Judge of heaven and earth. But people are too much possessed with unchar- itablenebs and revenge one towards another, and are not so ready to forgive one another their trespasses, as the Almighty is to forgive them : though to forgive one an- other their trespasses be every christian's duty, and with- out which we cannot justly expect God to forgive us our trespasses, as Christ taught. Mat. vi. 14, 15. 2d. Persecution for righteousness sake, also is another great branch of that corrupt tree, which never did, and never will bring forth good fruit, but must be cut down by the ax of God's power, which is laid to the root of every corrupt tree, in order to cut it down ; and the Lord will burn it with unquenchable fire. It is the true church's lot to be persecuted, but she never persecutes any : for he that is her high priest for ever, commanded quite the contrary, viz. Love to enemies, and to do good to them that hated them, to pray for them that de- spitefuUy used and persecuted them. Mat. v. 44. They were also to rejoice, and to be exceeding glad when all manner of evil was spoken falsely against them for Christ's sake ; because great should be their reward in heaven ; and Christ observes, that so they persecuted the prophets. Mat. v. 11, 12. 3d. Many are rebelling against God, and doing de- spite to the spirit of grace in their own hearts, and tres- passing one against another, not living in love, but in en- mity against God and one another. The judgment of man is terrible to the rebellious, how much more if men rebel against God, our Saviour, will his judgment be just and dreadful, as he hath not only power to kill the body, but can afterwards cast the soul into hell ? Oh ! that the ,312- god's great love to mankind, sons and daughters of men, would but fear to offend him, the King of eternal glory. Israel of old, his own peculiar people, did fear and tremble before him ; even all their host, his presence was so dreadful. Exod. xix. 18. And a noble king made a decree, that men should fear and tremble before the living God. Dan. vi. 26. Oh ! that all would work out their salvation with fear and trembling, according to scripture testimony. P/iiL ii. 12. I desire all people might thus love the Lord, then should we fear exceedingly to offend him ; also if one man did truly love another very well, were the case thy own, thou wouldst very unwillin8:ly offend him whom thou lovest dearly. So if we love Christ in deed, and in truth, then we should fear to offend him, and must of ne- cessity love one another also : so shall we fulfil the great commands, that the whole law and the prophets hang on^ 4th. I have also many times been grieved, when I have heard cursing and swearing, and the Lord's name taken in vain, which many too much abound in (by sea and land) and too little consider that God will not hold them guiltless. Exod. xx. 7. I am sure this is far from obeying him. Oh ! the deep sense of this great sin, it hath been, and is of great moment, and is a great concern on my mind : vengeance from heaven is, and will be the portion of all such, that thus violate the mind and will of God. Judgment, judgment is the lot and inheritance of all the wicked, who remain and live in wickedness. Al- though the Lord is slow to anger, and of great loving kindness, and his mercy endureth forever, to them that truly repent of evil, and do that which is good : yet he has also prepared weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth, for them that continually live in sin. There is a possibility of sinning, until there is no mercy nor grace for man: witness the words of God ; " My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh." Gen. vi. 3. But those that are willing to put the day of God afar off, are ready to say, Christ is- our advocate with the Father ; he maketh intercession for our sins; (very well) but it is conditionally : it is if thou wilt repent and sin no more. (Mark that well !) repentance without sinning THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 313 no more, will not do. Jo/m viii. 11. Confession is very- good, but forsaking is abundance better : confe.-.sion without forsaking will stand in little stead in the day of account. 5th. Also being drunk with wine, or with strong drink ; drunkenness is a great sin : first against God, and, secondly, the abuse of God's mercies, and good creatures. And by this frame of drunkenness, men are often fitted for any business their master the devil m ly call them to : so that this great sin ought to be strictly watched against. Surely if men had any good desires in their hearts, or any love to God, they would refrain from such great wickedness. I admire how people can expect mercy from God, or the intercession of Christ, when they are piercing his sides, and putting him to Oj)en shame : for those that are sinning against him, are pierc- ing of him. How can such expect he will interceed for them, when they have dealt so shamefully with him, and grieved him, and from time to time disobeyed his voice? Now suppose a man stood condemned before a judge, and that at the judge's right hand there sat one who had .power in his hand, and this poor condemned person, hopes he will interceed for him; and yet this poor wretch has done to him as before mentioned. What grounds can he have to hope for intercession, clemency, or len- ity, while he believes he can do no otherwise than sin against him all his days? For my part, I think his faith, hope, and belief, are but vain; without any reason or ground. But he that loveth Christ Jesus, the lord of life and glory, so as to keep his commandments, the Lord will love him, and interceed for him, and make himself known unto him ; according to his words whi ;h he spake, " He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my father; and I will love him, and manifest myself unto him." John xvi. 21. 6th. Covetousness, which is idolatry, is also another great snare of the enemy, and many are caught therein. It is in vain for the covetous to say, he hath a share in the love of God; for he hath neither love to the Lord, nor 5 S .514 c;od's grf.at love to mankind, to his neighbour. A poor naked man mis^lit ask him long enough lor relief, or for his coat, before he would give him his hand to help, or coat eitlier ; or any manner of relief: although Christ expressly eonimandcxl it, " Give to him that asketh, and from him that would borrow turn not thou away." Mat. v. 42. How can any be so hard liearted, as to see his bi other's or his neighbour's poverty, and not administer of his ability to the needful's necessi- ty ? but says the covetous or miserable man, I have chil- dren, or a family to take care of: but too often covctous- ness brings a curse, and not a blessing, upon family and children also. Perhaps one that is covetous may say, that charity begins at home. But let him remember, that if it doth begin there, the consequence most com- monly is very bad, when it ends there. Every christian hath need to have charity (in his breast) in a twofold sense, or else there is no proper pretence to christianit}' ; in short, covetousness is out of the love either to God or man : all those (with abundance more, that I shall for- bear to mention) are eminent snares of the devil; and satan layeth them according to the propensity of man or woman, and suits them with their nature. Oh ! I will warrant thee, he m ill colour them finely, and put a pleas- ant gloss upon them, to betray thy soul, and keep it in bondage forever. 7th. It is he that tells the murderer, that it is better to live a merry life and short, than to take pains and care all his lifetime ; and the thief likewise with the robber. 8th. It is he also who tells the whoremongers and drunkards, that so many people are in these practices, because it is natural for people to be so overcome : but he doth not tell them that by nature all are children of wrath, and that without this lustful nature be overcome, -there is no salvation. Eph. ii. 3. 9th. It is he that tells the swearers, they are so used to it, that it is impossible for them to leave it off. He never bids them repent and forsake, that they might find mercy with God and Christ that died for them ; but died not that they should live in sin. lOdi. It is he that tells the covetous, it is good to be saving, and not to spend all his substance in gluttony THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. olJ iind pride ; no, he will bid him hate pride, and that he should not give much alms, though rich in this world ; for the devil will tell him, that it is proud people does it, only in ambition, and to be seen of men ; but he will not tell him, it is a sin to be covetous : he also tells the proud, that they are counted happy, and that pride is counted good for the promoting the commonwealth, and that it is as good to be out of the world as out of the fashion ; he tells them, that pride is neatness, and how many pretty excuses he has, to keep people in pride, is admirable ; he doth not tell them, that Christ the Lord was meek and lowly, and that they should take him for an example. He, the Lord, did not come in splendour and glory, outwardly, but plain in speech, and also in apparel, wearing a coat without a seam, being clothed and adorned with the robes of righteousness and love. This is my beloved ! may he be thine also, gentle reader. Oh ! how lovely is he ! he is the chiefest of tens of thou- sands. I entreat you, Oh ! ye children of men, both sons and daughters ! do not offend Christ, by disobey- ing of him, the bridegroom of the righteous ; but, 1 beseech you, in his sweet and tender love, if you have offended him, by sinning against him, Oh! for the Lord's sake, and your own soul's sake, do so no more ; but unfeignedly repent; and then, in his due time (when he hath tried )ou, and found you faithful) he will embrace you with the sweet embraces of his love, which is better than wine, and fiw excels the love of women. Now if the poor creature did but love the Lord its maker, above all, and its fellow creature as itself, the enemy of mankind would be overcome, and we made more than conquerors, through him that loved us, even Christ Jesus, our Lord; and man and woman would see all these (abovesaid) evil things to be abominable, and per- haps many more which I have not mentioned, insomuch that self would be abhorred as in dust and ashes, and the Lord would be loved, and glorified, above all, for which end he created mankind : but, certain it is, that this end cannot be answered, nor the Lord so loved, 316 god's great love to mankind, he. without sin be forsaken, and hated ; for the devil is the^ author of sin, and Christ of righteousness. " I (says Christ) am tiie way, the truth, and the life." John XIV. 6. And again, " 1 am the liglit of the world." John viii. 12. Oh ! saith my soul, in abundance of love and good will, unto the sons and daughters of men, that they would but walk in the way of truth, and the true light of the world ; then they would see clearly the snares of satan ; which that every one, even male and female, (especially those that profess Christianity) might do, and escape the same, is the very desire of my soul • even so prayeth him, that through the spirit of Jesus Christ, and ability of his grace, labours for the salvation of man- kind. T. CHALKLEY. FRUITS » OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA, IN THE YEAR 1699. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, noi- standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth iu the seat of the scornful ,- but his deUght is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he med- itate day and night. PSALM i. 1, 2. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven. MAT. vi. 20. 1. It is good for man, whose breath is in his nostrils, to tliink upon his Maker, as much as in him lieth, both night and day ; 2. Who is the fountain of all men's happiness, and the ocean of their bliss ; not only in this world, but in that which is to come ; even to all eternity. 3. How sweet is that meditation, that is on the sover- eign Lord of heaven, and on the Prince of everlasting glory. 4. No earthly thing is to be compared with it ; all the glory, all the pomp, and vanity, of this fading, transitory w orld, is not comparable with it ; divine and inward con- templation upon God, is no less than heaven upon earth to the soul. 5. This mine eye hath seen ; for which I humbly bow before the great Lord of all ; whose goodness to man cannot fully be set forth, neither by the most excellent orator, nor with a ready writer's pen. 6. God delighteth in those that are intent in looking unto him ; and it is man's duty to look to him, over all visible things. .318 FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA. 7. How profitable, and greatly advantageous, it is to the soul, to be inward with God. Oh ! it is altogether admirable. 8. The unspeakable treasures of life, and of wisdom, are to be found in inward meditation, and holy contem- plation on God. 9. When a man, in this sort, is delighting himself with his Maker, and advising with him, he can want no good thing. In the days of old, God was, now is, and ever will be, found by man, in this inward concern of the soul. 10. A man in this state, will always curb high thoughts of self, as being in the presence of the Almighty ; for then he is truly sensible of his presence ; who is it that will vaunt, or carry himself lofty, when God is present, and he considers it. 11. Indeed the presence of the Almighty is every where, but many have lost the sense thereof, for Avant of inward thoughts on God, and studious contemplation on the King of heaven, whose sovereignty is sweet over the works of his hands ; 12. He is full of grace, and full of truth, full of mercy, and full of justice : his law is light, and his commands are as burning lamps ; in a Avord, he is full of heavenly majesty, and divine power, so that no characters can set forth the fulness of God. 13. Oh! that man were rightly sensible of these diings, it would cause him, with an humble heart, to implore the majesty of heaven for his favour, and petition him for the aid and assistance of his grace, to do his holy and heav- enly will. 14. Man would then see his own M-eakness and pov- erty, and how unable he is to do, or work, any good thing of himself, without the help of the Holy Spirit : 15. Which gift God, through Christ, giveth to that soul which is inward in its thoughts upon God ; Avhosc wisdom and power is past finding out, unless in this frame of mind the Lord reveals it. 16. But worldly thoughts, and vain cogitations, hin- der the mind from being with God, the fountain of all good. FRUITS OF DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA. 319 17. Evil works, or words, also stupify the mind, and deaden the most noble part of man, so that slavish fear, instead of that fear which is mixed with true love and honour, is begotten in the heart. 18. All things of any evil tendency entertained in the soul, are an obstruction to its duty to God. 19. Who would not lay up treasure in heaven, that the heart might also be there ? And what treasure like that in heaven, or what place so fit to lay it in as that is? 20. If a man did but, with considerate thoughts, weigh in his mind tlie shortness and uncertainty of time in this life, and the boundless ocean of eterntiy ; with a life of bliss and glory, or else of wo and misery, that will never end ; 21. Without his heart be harder than a flinty rock, it would lead him into tenderness, serious thoughts on the name of God, and into humiliation. 22. Christ Jesus, the anointed of God, was found greatly in humiliation ; even he who said, *' Learn of me, and follow me, who am meek, and low in heart." God calls for humility of all men. He beholds the proud, and scornful afar off. 23. Every proud and exalted thought God will bring to judgment, and likewise such words and actions. 24. And, indeed, the thing acted, or done, must first be conceived, or thought, before it be brought forth ; for " out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speak- eth," and the man acteth. 25. Therefore, to have the thoughts of the heart on God, and to contemplate on heaven and heavenly things, is truly excellent. 26. And although this incumbent duty of man is so averse to him, in his natural state ; yet it is most easy, sweet, and pleasant, to the soul, when the mind is bent after, and set on heavenly things. 27. And that which is still more admirable is, that God is the alone comfort, joy, helper, leader and con- ductor of such a soul. 320 FRUITS OF DIVIKE MEDITATION AT SEA. 28. But, Oh ! the thoughts of man are too much tak- en up with earthly and perishing things, being content with the shadow or shell of divine contemplation, righ- teousness, and true religion : so that too few are earnestly seeking the substance thereof. 29. That the noble creature man, whom God hath made but a little lower than the angels, and given him power over those creatures that are more ignoble than himself, should so degenerate from his Maker, as to fix his thoughts on terrestrial things, is admirable to heaven born souls, whose God .is the Lord. 30. Which way can the soul look or turn itself, but that it must needs see the glory of the God of heaven, unless the god of this world hath blinded the eye of the mind. 31. Look upwards, and we may behold the brightness of liis glory in the firmament, and the workmanship of his hands in the sun, moon, and stars. 32. Or if we look on the earth, or in the sea, we may see his great wonders ; and if, in sincerity, we behold the heavenly works of his hands, with an eye of faith, Oh ! how can it do any less but draw deep considerations of the omnipotence of God. 33. Thus beholding the works of God, and looking on his works of old, and the noble acts which he hath done in former times, will raise holy desires to be with him, and to be in his presence, when time to us in this world, shall be no more. 34. It will also beget a loving fear of the Lord in the soul, lest that should offend him. 35. Such a soul will be inwardly concerned before the Lord, and will seek him with unwearied travel of spirit. 36. After this manner will that soul cry to God, in the spirit of prayer and supplication, that is travelling to- wards the city, whose builder and maker is God. 37. Lord, I am poor, do thou make me rich ; I am needy. Oh ! strengthen me, even me, Oh ! my heavenly father ! for 1 am the least of many : Oh ! my Siiviour, have mercy upon me I FRUITS OF DIVIKE MEDITATION AT SEA. 021 38. Thou seest my weakness, and knowest my wants» and how unable I am, of myself, to do thy will; give" me grace, or else I die ; save me by the power, and by the spirit of thy Son, or else I perish forever. 39. Lord, I believe ; my faith is in thee, and in the power of thine anointed, help mine unbelief, for Jesus' sake, I humbly pray thee, Oil ! thou great Creator of of the children of men ! 40. 1 ! great, eternal God, thou knowest my se- cret desires, and the private devotion of my heart. 41. My sighing and tears are after thee, Oh ! thou beloved of my soul ! 42. All the profit and pleasure that is in this world is nothing, and less than nothing, in comparison of thee, and the enjoyment of thy presence. Oh ! thou Lord of life and glory. 43. Thou great Creator of all things, from whom all have their being, send forth the spirit of thy Son into my heart, whereby, with acceptance, I may cry, " Abba, father." 44. Oh ! Holy Father, let me feel thy power, that I may be able to make war in thy righteousness, against the enemy of my poor soul. 45. Great, eternal God, give me wisdom to walk up* rightly before thee, and before the children of men : Oh! that my soul may seek after it forever! 46. With which. Oh ! Lord, fill my earthen vessel, for Jesus' sake, that I may be gentle, and easy to be en- treated to do thy will, so that I may never rebel against thee. 47. Lord, do not tarry long from me ; for if thou hid- est thy face, I am troubled ; or when the curtain is drawn between me and my Maker, then my spirit within me languisheth. 48. Therefore, Oh! Lord, arise, and the thoughts that are at enmity with thee, shall be scattered from my soul : 49. Then shall my soul be a fit receptacle for thee, and a temple thou mayest delight to dwell in, Oh ! living God! T t 322 PRUITS OP DIVINE MEDITATION AT SEA* 50 And, Holy Father, as thou hast begotten those- thoufjhts and desires in my soul, so do for many more of the sons and daughters of men. 51. Such a soul, whose thoughts and meditations are on this wise, Almighty God never did and never will, re- ject, or cast off. 52. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the mercy and goodness of the Lord God of heaven and earth will not pass away from those that are thus inwardly exercis- ed before him. 53. The holy men of God, and the faithful in ages past, bore testimony to these truths. 54. And tliere is that of God, in the souls of the faith- ful, that can say amen to the same. 55. " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," saith the Almighty, to and concerning those who love him tru- 'y- 56. " Fear not, worm Jacob, for I will be with thee, saith the Lord, if thou goest through the fire, it shall not kindle upon thee ; and if thou goest through the water, it shall not overwhelm thee." AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH, AND OTHERS, TO FOLLOW. JBeing part of a letter from Thomas Chalkley to a friend in Dublin, Let the young man and maiden diligently read the holy scriptures ; and whenever they come to a passage that affects them, let them not only turn down that leaf, but let them be sure that it hath place in their hearts : and when they read of a good man or woman, then let them earnestly pray, and fervently cry to the Lord, the great God, and holy Father of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and God of all the righteous in all ages, that he would please to make them like to those his dear children and ser- vants. Oh ! that all young people might not forget this great command of God, " Honour thy parents, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." How many stubborn youths hath the Lord cut off in their prime, and in the flower of their days ; and on the other hand, how hath the great Al- mighty blessed, prospered, preserved, and honoured those that have been obedient to their parents, and hon- oured their parents and elders ? And let the young men and maidens note this, that none truly honour their pa- rents and elders, but those who are pious and virtuous ; such were Joseph, Samuel, David, and Solomon ; as also King Josiah, who began to reign at eight years old. God Almighty gives many a good sense of his grace at that age, and thereabouts; he ordaineth praise maoy 3.24 AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH. times out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Let the youth endeavour to follow those good and great men ; and for their instruction, I shall give a touch of the above five worthies. First, in particular, beginning with Joseph. His father sent him to his brethren ; he went willingly, though his brethren hated him ; and when it was in his power to hurt them, he rendered tliem good for their evil ; a good example for both } oung and old. And when tempted to sin by his mistress in Eg}'pt, he said, " How can I da this great wickedness, and sin against God ?" who high- ly favoured him for his piety, virtue, and chastity. Secondly , Samuel, for M^hom his mother prayed ear- nestly to the Lord ; and when he had given him to her, she gave him to God again : a good pattern for all mothers. When he was but a little lad, the Almighty- called him, and he thought it had been Eli ; up he gets, and said, " Thou calledst me ?" " No (said the old man) I did not call thee ; lie down again." He did not grum- ble, as many of our youth do : the Lord called again ; he willingly runs to Eli ; he did not love his bed so much as obedience, and said, " Thou didst call me." Eli ob- serving that God had spoke to the child, said to him, when he calleth again, say, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Let old ones mind this, and encourage their youth to answer the call of God betimes : so God calls again, and he answers : " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." The Lord, by his grace, calls to little ones, many times in the midst of their play, and sometimcB in their beds. Oh ! that our youth may do and say as little Samuel ; that they may grow as he did, and be in favour both with God and man. Thirdly, David, his father's youngest son, kept his sheep, and in that innocent employ the Lord was with him, to admiration. His father sent him to his brethen;. but Eliab, his eldest brother, frowned upon him, and reviled him. He only made this soft reply ; " Is there not a cause ?" He overcame the great Philistine, in the name of the God of Israel ; and God highly exalted him for his uprightness, sincerity, and piety, which was very AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH. 335 great ; for notwithstanding Saul would have killed him ; yet when David had him in his power, he spared him, insomuch that Saul wept, and said, " If a man find his enemy, will he let him go ?" And there was loving greeting between them: so he overcame the evil of Saul's heart, by the good that was in his ; according to those holy expressions of the apostle Paul, " Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom, xii. 21. Words worthy to be writ in letters of gold, and more worthy to be observed and practised. Fourthly, Solomon, who asked of God wisdom, be- ing in his own eyes but as a little child, said unto the Lord, " Give unto thy servant an understanding heart:" which request God granted him, and gave him also riches and honour. Oh ! see the benefit of pleasing God, young men and young women. Fifthly, Josiah, a young prince and king. How zeal- ous was he for God's service and worship! What a wonderful reformation he made in the land, and how was he lamented at his death, as generally all good zeal- eus men and women are, either old or young. Having touched a little of the young men, let me just a little remember the yoimg women also : as for exam- ple> Ruth and Abigail, two discreet young women ; the first very loving, kind, and true to Naomi, her mother- in-law : a good pattern for all daughters-in-law ; " En- treat me not," said she, " to leave thee ; for where thou goest, I will go ; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge ; and where thou diest, there will I be buried ; thy peo- ple shall be my people, and thy God my God." The Lord abundantly rewarded her for this godly reso- lution. Boaz had a sense of her virtue and piety, and said, " All the city of my people do know, that thou art a virtuous woman." Which doubtless was a strong motive for him to love her ; and that love commonly lasts till death : whereas when money is a motive, it of- ten happens that ri(iany evils attend. Also wise Abigail, her ingenious speech to David, and contrivance to hinder him from shedding blood ; which he was cpming to do, (thinking he had cause) but pre- 326 AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH, vented by her wisdom : which, to be sure, was a great motive to him to love her, after Nabal's death, and to take her to wife. She was no proud woman ; " For, (said she) let thy handmaid serve to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord." Much might be said, but I de- sign brevity. As there are many good examples in holy scripture, whereby young ptople might be stirred up to virtue ; so also there are examples of the judgments of God on disobedient, impious, vain and ungodly men and women, even }oui g and old. Oh ! let our youth consider, I be- seech them, wicked, disobedient Absalom, and poor Di- nah : also the prince and the Moabitish damsel, whom zealous Phineas slew ; for God was angry, and is angry with the wicked every day. The before mentioned good men and women were in the time of the law ; and let me add to them, the holy pattern and good example of our great Lord and blessed master, who '' Loved righteousness, and hated wicked- ness, therefore he was highly exalted, and anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows : he had the heathen given him for his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession : and, what is more, all power in heaven and earth." Oh ! dear young men and maidens ! he is our great pattern, whom we are (and ought) to take for our exam- ple ; walking in all humility and reverence : " He (saith Christ) that will be my disciple (that is, his scholar) must take up his cross, deny himself, and follow me." Oh 1 blessed pattern ! Oh ! glorious example ! let us follow him whilst we have breath in this world ; it was alwa}'s well for them that followed him. What think ye. Oh ! young men and maidens ! had it not been well for that rich young man, that he had left all, and followed dear Jesus: be ye your own judges; look on your pattern (i. e. Christ Jesus) when he was but twelve years old ; see what he was doing ; forget not that saying which his mother laid up in her heart, " Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Oh! dear youths! it is good business, I can say so through some good expe-^, AN EXHORTATION TO YOUTH. 327" rience ; let me tell you for your edification, I have served my master, holy Jesus, and followed him several years according to the best of my understanding, and I have always found him a good master ; his service is sweet, and his work is delightful. I have a great deal more to say for my Lord and master, but my design is brevity : *' His yoke is easy, and his burthen is light." He hath said it, and I have experienced it. Wherefore I am the more free to invite you to follow him, and be his schol- ars. An eminent servant and scholar of his said, " Be ye followers of me, even as I also arfi of Christ." The apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, a young scholar, and his son, in the faith, to be a good example to others ; as also his son Titus. We are also told of four young women, who were prophetesses, and divers others ; a more par- ticular account of whose exemplary lives and actions are recorded in the holy scripture for our learning ; unto which, with the grace of God in the heart, I recommend all young men and women, and conclude these small tokens of my very dear love in Christ, our holy Lord and master, desiring the above may be as so many pat- terns for them to follow. T. CHALKLEY. A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD, IN HOLLAND AND ELSEWHERE, TO SEEK AND LOVE ALMIGHTY GOD, AND TO PREPARE IN TIME FOR THEIR ETERNAL WELFARE. Seek ye tlie Lord while he may be found, and call ye upon him while he is near. ISAIAH Iv. 6u U U PREFACE TO THE READER. HAVING from my childhood been a lover of the Dutch^ and that love being increased by travelling in Holland and Germany^ it came weightily on my mind to invite and persuade this people^ (with others into whose hands this may come^ and especially the youth J " 7o love, serve and fear the Lord, the Almighty^ the great Jehovah, ami that they first seek the kingdom of God, and his righteous- ness.'" as Christ exhorts or co?nmands. Mat. vi. Zo. Those ponderous and extraordinary expressions, with the large promise thereto annexed, are well worth the due notice, and weighty consideration of all, both youth and aged; but seem to be very apt to the state and conditio?! of those that are Just entering into the business a?id affairs of the world. Oh I that the youth had but faith in the blessed Lord Jesus, and owned his pure doctrifie, now in their tender years ; and in the prime of their days, " That they would remember their Creator in the days of their youth, before the evil days come.'''' Eccl. xii. 1. Oh ! that in their blossoming and blooming spring time, they might be like to lovely branches, and groiving trees^ of righteousness, bearing much fruit, much good fruit of piety and virtue: " In which fsaith our holy Lord Jesus Christ J is your heavenly Father glorified.'''' This is the real and hearty desire of my souL for the youth of this and all generations, male and female , yea, both young and old, in all nations throughout the world : the universal love of God fiows and overfiows in my soul, like a living stream, at this time, as also at many others, to all my fellow mor- tals. Oh ! the great love of God in Christ Jesus, our great, holy, and good Father, Lord, and Master, is won- derful to mortals ! whose divine love is abundantly , and also universally, shed abroad to all nations, through hiK 332 Preface to the READEKt eternal spirit arid grace in the hearts of the sons and daughters oj'men^ in order to draWy lead^ and guide men and "womenfrom earth to heaven. Thus being desirous f according to my measure J to pro- mote truth and righteousness in the earth ; also being sen- sible of the love mercy and goodness of God, in my very young and tender years ; I am -willing, for the sake of well inclined young men and women, to send forth into the world this loving invitation : and am desirous, for the love I bear to the people of the Dutch nation, tfiat this might be trans- lated into the Dutch language ; hoping it may be beneficial to some well inclined souls, in order to stir them up to seeky serve, and love Almighty God. Amen, So wisheth, and heartily prayeth, a friend to, and lover fffall mankind, T. CHALKLEY. A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD, IN HOLLAND AND ELSEWHERE. It is a thing truly excellent for mortals to love, serve, and fear him that made them, and gave unto all life and being : and to begin this work betimes, is very advan- tageous to the never dying soul. It is also an indispen- sable duty, which is incumbent upon every one, male and female ; and whoever is found in neglect thereof, will certainly have cause dearly to repent it ; and unless they do repent before they go hence, and see man no more, will be miserable to all eternity. Which solid consideration, hath often been weighty on my mind, and I could not be clear (as 1 thought) in the sight of God, without laying it before men and women. Now, that we may so do, consider, truth commands us, reason persuades us, and example is very powerful and inviting. Oh ! that the children of men would be tvise to salvation, and embrace the love of God in his dear and well beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who himself said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life." Oh ! surely here is a threefold cord, (i. e. truth, reason, and example), which is not easily broken : God Al- mighty grant (for Christ's sake) that by it some poor souls might be drawn to him, even now in their tender years : to day, to day, if any will hear the voice of the Lord, Oh ! let them not harden their hearts , for that is provoking to him that made us. How know we whether he, who made the heavens, will be pleased to give us an-' 334 A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. Other hour ? How know we, but that after this day wc may never open our eyes, till we open them in eternity ? Oh ! eternity, eternity, that boundless ocean ! who can fathom those words, for ever and ever? What will this world, and all its glories and vanities signify, or avail to poor souls, when rolling from side to side on a dying bed. It will therefore be well for both old and young to note this : 1st. The old, because it is not likely they should have many days, according to the course of nature, and a common proverb, i. e. The young (may live, and they) may die, but the old must die. 2d. The young, because they know not but that they may die to-morrow. In the great and notable day of the Most High, Oh ! then, then, heavenly things will be found serious and solid truths, and not toys and trifles, nor indifferent things ; when he shall come as in flames of fire, to render ven- geance (which is only his) upon all the workers of in- iquity, and shall come to judge the secrets of men's hearts by that great man and just judc^e, the Lord Jesus Christ.. Wherefore, let me prevail with some poor souls, now in time, to lay the truth to heart, and to be found in the work of God in their day : that so for their pains here, they may receive their penny hereafter ; and that enliven- ing, that quickening answer of well doing, may be their portion, and the lot (the glorious lot) of their inheritance : *' Come, ye blessed ; well done, good and faithful ser- vant : enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Oh ! pow- erful voice, and heart ravishing sentence ! enough to make one alive, though dead ; and exceedingly jo} ful, though sorrowful even to death. Oh ! this divine fa- vour and grace, wherewith the Most High will favour those that love him, and faithfully serve him, in this his great and notable day, will far exceed the favour of kings and prhices : for those that get the latter, can only be happy (or so accounted) in this world, which is but momentary ; and those who are living and sensible wit- nesses of the former, are certainly happy, even in this A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG ANH OLD. 335 world, (although men may not see it) and likewise ever- lastingly happy in that world which is to come. To be sensible of God's grace in the heart, and to follow the hoiv teaching of it, is preferable to all things here be- low, it will make one more wise and more comely, than all outward learning, beauty, or parts whatever. God Ahnighty grant, I beseech him, that all our young men, our rich men, our wise men, may only glory in him, ac- cording to the language of the spirit in the holy scrip- tures, " Let not the young or strong man glory in his j'outh or strength, nor the rich man in his riches, nor the wise man in his wisdom ; but he who glories, let him glv)ry in the Lord ;" or in this, " That he knows the Lord." Let the wits of the age consider this well ; let the boaster and disputer rightly note this, and he will have cause to bow before heaven's Majesty : what becomes of the young man's and young woman's strength, and lovely beauty, when their heads are laid in the cold grave ? What will become of, or of what service will the riches of the rich man be to him, when he shall receive his summons to his long home ? May he not then say, Oh ! that I had been as industrious to get heaven, and peace with my Maker, as I have been to get this world. Let all worldly minded men and women remember the wonderful expostulation of Christ Jesus with the rich young man. This is not to hinder any in their outward concerns : for the heart of a man may be in heaven, though his hands may be in his employment. And as to the wise man : pray what will become of his great wit, his acquired parts, his nice and far fetched ar- guments and criticisms, when pale faced death shall look him in the face, and strike him with his sharp aiTows ? Then he will find, that it had been much better for him, that he had lived well, although he had not talked so much, or so well : to talk well, is good ; but to live well is much better. To talk finely, and live badly, is of little worth. Oh! that the great Master workman of all, may drive home this nail, in the heart of him whose eye shall look thereon, by his mighty hammer, the hammer of his word, his heart breaking, heart melting, and heart 336 A LOVING TKVTTATTOW TO YOUNO AND 0L». piercing word ; according to the doctrine of the Holy- Spirit in the holy scriptures, " Is not my word as a fire f Is not my word as a hammer ? Is not my word as a sword ?" i. e. to burn, to break, to cut down all m uiner of sin : not to destroy man, but sin in man. Hear far- ther the language of the Holy Spirit : *' Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend up into heaven, to fetch it down from above ? Or who shall go down into *hc deep, or beyond the seas, to fetch it from thence ? But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy heart, and in thy mouth, that thou mayest do it." This was, and is, and ever will be, the doctrine of the gospel : from which peo- ple may perceive, that Christ Jesus is near to them ; near to save, near to deliver, near to redeem. The great Je- hovah, the blessed Jesus, the holy divine spirit, is not only a God afar off; but also a God near at hand, and a present and sure help in the needful time. Oh ! blessed be his name for ever and ever. Now I appeal to the consciences of all men, whether they have not, or do not sensibly witness, something (of a contrary nature to sin and unrighteousness) to reprove them, and convince them of the evil of their ways, and doings, perhaps sometimes in the midst of their vanity, in the song, in the dance, or in the game; or sometimes after a debauch, or for their pride, either in mind or in appar- el, for over- reaching, or covetousness : all which (with all manner of evils) are of the devil. And the King of heaven is lifting up his holy and righteous spirit as a standard against it, and against him who is the author of it. Oh ! let this his convincing grace take place in thy heart, Oh ! mortal man ! for know of a truth, it is the grace of God to thy soul ; for infallible proof of which (besides the experience of the faithful) take these two texts of Holy Scripture, (the doctrine of which will stand forever, notwithstanding all the opposition of man) i. e. *' I will pray to the Father, says Christ, and he will send you another comforter, even the spirit of truth, that he may abide with you forever ; and when he is come, he shall convince the world of sin." Again, " The grace of God which brings salvation, hath appeared unto all men, A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. 337 teaching us, that, denymg ungodly and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world." Why should the Almighty show to lam the evil of their ways ? Why does not he let them run on in their vanities, without control ? (Oh ! ye chil- dren of men ! ) it is his mere grace, and his mere mercy to the precious, dear-bought, and never-dying souls of poor mortal mankind ; for he would have none to perish ; if any perish, their destruction is of themselves, but their help is of the Lord. Oh ! that people would be entreat- ed and persuaded, through loving invitation, to follow the Lord fully and do his work faithfully. Now let me return a little to, and let my pen drop somewhat concerning the three-fold cord above-mention- ed. I again humbly beg of the Lord, the great God, and Father of spirits, and of our dear Lord Jesus, that this may be instrumental, in his hand, to draw some poor seeking, travelling soul from earth towards heaven ; the which, if it doth, let the praises alone be given to God, through his well beloved Son. First, then: As to truth, I would hope few in this generation, who profess Christianity, need to say, what is truth ? God Almighty, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is that infinite, divine truth, which will endure forever ; and he hath said, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind and strength." And indeed he is an object that is thereof richly worthy ; and this is his law which is to endure forever ; and he who doth and teacheth it, is to be called great in the kingdom of God ; and that it might not be forgotten, he wrote it in stony tables : which law, Jacob's seed broke and transgressed. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, who spoke it by the prophet, " I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts ;" Oh! there it is written in large characters, very plain and leg- ible, and easy to be read of mankind. And whereas Moses, the man of God, was an instrument to promote the holy law outwardly, written on tables of stone, among the children of Israel ; so Christ Jesus, in this gospel- day, is promoting and proclaiming the power of this XX 338 A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. law inwardly engraven in men's hearts by God's finger, throughout the whole world ; this great law of love (in whieh all the law and the prophets are contained) Christ not only lived in it, and declared it to jiiortals ; but he also died in it, and for it, and for us also, and sealed his holy, glorious testimony, and doctrine, with his most precious blood ; this is he, of whom the voice from the most Excellent Glory, said, *' This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." This is he, of ^^ hom the foinur la\\ giver said, " The Lord your God shall raise up a jirophet from amongst your brethren, him shall you hear in all things" This is he who said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life." This is he who said, ''He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you:" and again, " I stand at the door and knock, if any man will hear my A'oice, and open the door, I will come in unto him." Oh! methinks his love is wonderful ; he not only commands obedience, but invites to it. Oh ! who can be so hard- hearted and so cruel to him, and themselves also, as to slight and refuse such heavenly and divine offers of infi- nite love, grace, and mercy ? " The spirit and the bride say, come ; and all that are athirst, may come, and drink freely ; and buy heavenly milk, and rich wine, without money, or any natural or outward price." Secondly, Touching reason : it is very reasonable, that we should serve and love God Almighty, in the space of time that we have here in this world, and work the works of piety and virtue ; for, and because, there is solid peace therein : here none can make afraid, but the soul is calm and quiet, as being anchored in a safe har- bour. Here no law can take hold of us. If aiiy should imagine, that there are no future rewards or punishments, which no mortal can do without blushing, or self-con- demnation, as I conceive : yet a life of holiness is a much better life, even for the body, for its health, and most sweet repose, and pleasure that is solid, and not flashy; and its outward tranquility in every respect: I appeal to the reasoning \\ its of the age, whether the above be not a great and undeniable truth : besides, all true men and women, in practising as above, have a living hope and A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. 3^9 faith, through and in Christ, of a glorious rest to eterni- ty, which is very reasonable to believe, since undeniably Christ wrought such wonderful works and mighty mir- acles, which before were never wrought by man on earth : so that those must needs be self-condemned too, that believe not in him, his works and grace. There is no writ nor wit in the whole world, that did, can, or ever will be able to make void, or lay waste the great, mighty, and miraculous works of truth, which were done by the blessed Jesus. Moses was a mighty man of God, and highly favoured, and greatly beloved, of him, and did many mighty works ; yet Christ exceeded him, as also did his dispensation. Moses went through the sea : Christ went upon the sea. Moses prayed for bread from heaven, and it was given in abundance; Christ with a fevr small fishes, and seven loaves, fed many thousands (which was unreasonable to expect, but from a divine hand.) Moses prayed for water for the people : Christ made wine, and admirable wine too, even of water. Moses preached the law and judgment to Israel only; but Christ Jesus preached grace, mercy, peace, and truth, not only to Israel, but also to all the world, through divine faith in God, in and through repentance, and the work of the spirit. Oh ! is not here reason and truth pleading with, and persuading poor creatures to love, serve and follow, (•everence and fear, their Creator. Whether the above matter be pleasant nev/s to our sprightly youths, I will not determine ; but I am positive that they will find it truth one day. It is likely some such doctrine as this might better please the sparks of the age, and the jolly young men and maidens up and down in the world, viz. " Rejoice, Oh ! young man, and young woman, and let thy heart cheer in the days of thy youth ; follow the lust of thy heart, and the sight of thine eyes : but let them remember, that for all these things God will bring them to judg- ment:" they must surely come to judgment: they will have it inwardly and secretly in their hearts, here in this world, (notwithstanding they may endeavour to hide it from men ; but they cannot hide it from Heaven, from V)40 A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNC AND OLD. the all seeing, heart piercing' eye of the Holy One : " He who inhabits eternit}', whose dwelling is in the light ; and whose eye goes through the earth, beholding the good and the evil:") likewise they will have condemna- tion without end, in the world that is to come. Oh ! let the youth and aged seriously consider of it. And farther, let them call to mind, the great and heavy judgments that have fallen upon wicked and ungodly men, many of which were foretold by the messengers of heaven, and came to pass according to their sayings, viz. the flood of waters, which destroyed the old world (which the very Indians in America have a notable idea of, hand- ed down to them by the tradition of their fathers to this day). As also the destruction of the land, and inhabit- ants of Sodom and Gomorrah ; and the thousands of thousands that have been destroyed in battles and fights ; which will still be, and continue to the world's end, un- less people come into the love of God, which will teach them to love one another; and into the faith and doc- trine of the Prince of Peace, which is, " To do unto all men, as we would have them do unto us," and to " do good for evil ;" which to be sure is not to destroy. Likewise the destruction of Jerusalem, and scattering of the Jews, the seed of faithful Abraham ; and divers dis- mal and terrible earthquakes, which have happened in these latter ages of the world; some of the dreadful ruins of which mine eyes have seen in my travels. Surely there is much reason to walk in reverence, and holy fear, before the great Lord of all : he who made the heavens and the earth, the seas and the fountains of wa- ter, and hath given life and breath to ail that move there- in, can take it from them at his pleasure, in the twinkling; of an eye. Oh ! happy is that empire, kingdom, state, or prov- ince ; emperor, king, or governor ; family, or particular person, whose inhabitants live and dwell in the holy fear of God, and in the self-denying life of Jesus : no greater happiness or felicity, than to be one of these. Oh! let my soul dwell here, and l:)e in unity and fellowship with nil such forever. A LOVIJIG inVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. 341 Now, as to the third and last part of the abovesaid threefold argument, viz. example ; which, as the prov- erb says, is above precept. Good example is very taking with many, and oft happens to be very affecting to the younger sort more particularly : for they look out much at others, and take great notice of the words and conduct of their elders and superiors. Good Jacob was a good example to his great family : he was a pious affectionate father, a loving husband, a faithful servant, and an obedi- ent son : the history of his life and travels in holy scrip, ture is affecting. Oh ! how he sought God betimes ! how humble, how lowly, doth he behave himself in his pilgrimage ! his father and mother called him, and bid him go ; he does it, without any replies to the contrary ; not like some of the youth of this age. And on his way, being benighted, he lays himself down, his pillow was hard, but his bed large, and the heavens were his curtains ; his sleep was sweet, and his dreams precious. (Oh ! the very thoughts of it affect me at this time). In which sleep he sees angels ; and when he awakes, he says, " Surely this is none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." Now he makes the condition of his covenant with his Maker, which (as to outward things) was as small as well could be, viz. " Bread to eat, and raiment to put on, and the presence of his Maker, with his blessing." This was now when he was about to set up for himself in the world, his mind was not high, neither sought he after great things ; notwithstanding which, the Almighty gave him in abundance. So on- ward he went, and came to Laban, and became his ser- vant. I could wish that all young people, that are ser- vants, would follow his steps in faithfulness : then might they be a blessing to their masters, as he was to his. I ever observed in my travels (having travelled much in divers nations, and made many observations) that Al- mighty God hath greatly blessed obedient, industrious children and servants ; which observation, 1 hope, will be of good use to the world, if well considered. And on the other hand, I have taken notice of the contrary, and have perfectly imdcrstood, that God's hand hath been mani* 34.2 A. LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OI.D. festly against those that have been disobedient, and ill- natured, and idle ; which may be an useful caution to all. Now the Lord blessed the good service, and faithful in- dustry, of this his servant with great increase ; as also V ith many children, for whom he was concerned as a tender father, even to the very last ; and (like a pious and godly father) prayed to the Lord for their preservation ; and was zealously concerned to cleanse his family from superstition and idolatry ; and calls them to go up to Bethel, or the house of God. Oh ! that all heads of families would be concerned for their posterity, and seek God, and the things of his kingdom, for their children and servants, more than the things of this world ; there being too much care for the one, and too little for the other, generally speaking: so that there is need of this caution. Now this 2:ood man was not onlv concerned ' for his family in his life, but even at his death also : for he, waiting for the salvation of God, and being sensible of it, very livingly and sensibly blessed his seed, and was opened in faith to speak exactly to each of their states and conditions. I refer to the history of it in holy scrip- ture, the which I believe will be affecting to pious minds. Oh ! what a race he left behind 1 all his twelve sons were patriarchs, and great fathers of many people, who were highly favoured of God, and had been to this day, had they walked in the steps of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ; from whom came many valiant and noble men, of and for God ; as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, Josiah, Elijah, and Elisha ; also the holy bless- ed Star and Sun of righteousness. Holy Jesus, whom the degenerate offspring of good old Israel slew, and hanged on a tree : also the holy apostles, \vere great examples of virtue : also the blessed martyrs, and many modern good men, might be brought in for inviting examples, to stir up the minds of men and women, to serve, love, and follow the Lord, and to believe in him, and in his dear Son, and in the appearance of his grace vrorking in the soul, in order to the convincing and converting of them . A LOVING INVITATION TO YOUNG AND OLD. 34>i To be particular in all the above instances, would swell this far beyond what is intended ; and considering the many and k;rge volumes that are in the world, though a large door opened before me, yet I am now willing to conclude, and recommend the work, with the reader, to the grace of God, in and through his dear Son Christ Je- sus, our great example : to whom with the Father, through the divine spirit, be giory forever. T. GHALKLEY. fFritien at Frederickstadty in Hoist ein. Jr>^ FORCING A MAINTENANCE, NOT WARRANTABLE FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURE, roR A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, BEIXG AN ANSWER TO SOME FALSE AND ERRONEOUS PAGES, WRITTEN BY JOSEPH METCALFE, TENDING TO STIR UP PERSECUTION. Erecly ye have received, freely give. I have coveted no man's silver or gold. I have preached the gospel of God freely. MAT. X. K. ACTS XX. 33. 2 COR. xi. 7. y V PREFACE TO THE READER, WHAT PERSUASION SOEVER. IT being a known principle of the people called qiiak en ^ that the gospel of Jesus Christ ought to be preached free- ly by his jniftisters ; yet, notwithsta?idmg, divers people, of divers persuasions^ either for want of charity^ or other prej- udice, or wrong information, or all three, do say, or be- lieve, that the quakers'' ministers or teachers are paid for their preachmg ; I do positively declare to the xvorld, that it is an utter falsehood and scandal upon the said people : for we cannot in good consciejice make a trade of our holy calling, neither is the word of God to be bought or sold for outward gain; witness the apostle'' s answer to Simon Ma- gus, Acts viii. 18. 20. And if ive cannot pay our own, pray how can we pay others, and be clear of gtiilt, or have the answer of a good conscience, we believing it to be evil ? And every body that kfioxvs the holy scrip- ture, knows that what is ?iot of faith is sin ; and yet our adversaries would have us commit this sin; and if we will not do it willingly, they will force it from us by the power of the magistrates, although the holy scripture and reason are clearly against them, as is plainly manifested in the ensuing little tract. And as for my part, I have travelled many thousands of miles, and preached the gospel among the said people many years, as thousands of them can witness, and never received any consideration therefor, neither directly nor indirectly ; neither do I reckon they are beholden to me for so doing, for a necessity is laid upon me, and wo is me if I preach not the gospel ; neither do I boast, for I have done but my duty, and in that sense am but an un- profitable servant y according as Christ taught, for all the i>-i7 PREFACE TO THE READEK. pj'ojit is of Christ. And if occasion were, there ore jnany other tninisters among the said people, could bear the like testimony. Oh! but (say the people J your teachers are generally rich. JVhy shoidd any begrudge us tliat ivhicJi rve have, since the Almighty blesseth our industry in our honest trades and callings, which other teacher's, through the like industry and blessing, might obtain, if their dependence for a main- tenance were more upon God, than the people. Yet notwithstanding those teachers receive so much vioney of the people, and the quaker preachers none at all (except they are poor and necessitous J. they are full of complaints: whereas there is no complaining in all our streets. We should stai~ve (cry they J if we had not a laxu to compel. Chrisfs minister's of old, wJien he sent them forth, had no law, and yet they lacked nothing ; is CJirist or tlie men changed now-a-days ? The men doubtless ; for now they cry, more, more, more money. IjCt every true cliristian judge in this matter. T. CHALKLEY. REMARKS JOSEPH METCALFE'S PREFACE. I SHALL first take notice of his preface, to one called a quaker, dn which he saj-s, " That he thinks there is sufficient matter of conviction in the texts and arguments improved." Answer. But every sincere soul, when they come to see the texts themselves, will have cause to think to the contrary ; for had they been fairly produced, they would have saved the labour of a further reply, they being far from countenancing any forced maintenance to Christ's ministers. And as ior his arguments improved, they smell so strong of persecution, that I would chai'itably hope no sober christian or magistrate, who inclines to moderation (which ought to appear in all) will take any further notice of them, than to pity his ignorance. Yet notwithstanding his mighty arguments and great im- provements, he gives them this blow, " He has but little hopes of his being convinced, (to whom he writes) because of the efficacy of error and delusion, &;c." He would have more reason to have written so, if he had first proved error and delusion upon him. And truly, he would have been greatly deluded, if he had believed that great un- truth, that forcing a maintenance for a gospel minister was warrantable from the holy scriptures ; if he be sober, and in his wits, one would believe that he cannot (when he seriously considers of it) but be convinced that he is mistaken. And as for his pravers, the scripture says, " We know that God heareth not sinners :" and that he is a sinner, is plain, in wresting and perverting the scripture, as he has done, and as I shall show through the help of Christ, mv Lord and Saviour. FORCING A MAINTENANCE, NOT WARRANTABLE FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURE, FOR '• A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. Now, let us observe what he says to the matter in hand. 1st. As to the laws of New-England, he says, " The laws of this province require that the inhabitants of each town shall take due care to be constantly provided with a gospel minister : and that each minister shall be suf- ficiently supported and maintained by the inhabitants of the town. " That all rateable estates, and inhabitants in the town shall be assessed, and pay proportionable to such main- tenance. " And that such as refuse to pay accordingly, shall have their proportion taken from them by distress.'' Answer. I shall not here dispute the injustice of this law so largely as I might (only I must add, they have no such example from Christ nor the apostles, with this proviso, that it is made amongst a society of men for themselves, and those of their own communion) but if this is intended to force those of other professions, and who cannot for conscience sake join with them, be- lieving them to be anti- christian ministers, (as to be sure all such are as go about to maintain such doctrine as this priest Metcalfe doth, that it is warrantable from scripture to force maintenance for ministers) pray would he be willing the papists, or church of England, should take away from him by force ? surely, no. Then I say 352 FORCING A MAINTENANCE that is an unjust law, and far from the nature of that royal law, which says " do to ail men, as you would that they should do unto you ;" Christ says, " This is the law, and the prophets." And doubtless the gospel falls not short of it (though this New-England minister doth) though I hope it is not the mind of all in profession with him. Now the law being unjust, it is no crime to reject it : yet for conscience sake, and the Lord's sake, we submit to it in passive obedience ; and it is well known to all that know any thing of the quakers, that their prin- ciple is against resisting the outward power. Next to the question, " Whether it be warrantable from scripture, and the doctrine and practice of Christ and his apostles, to put such laws in execution, to take from men, although the minister preaches not to them, for they cannot believe they are sent of God ?" This is his great question, as he states it in his first page, which he pretends to answer from scripture, l:>ut falls far short of it ; and he goes on thus : " 1st. It is' warrantable from scripture, &c. that the inhabitants of each town shall take due care, in order to their being sup- plied with a gospel minister." Answer. This is as foreign from his question, as Rome is from Boston. What is that to the purpose ? Let the impartial judge ; if he cannot prove a forced maintenance from scripture, he doth nothing to his pur- pose, nor according to his grand question in his title page, &,c. Then he goes to his second assertion, and says, 2d. ''It is warrantable from scripture, that gospel ministers be honourably supported and maintained : such maintenance is a debt due from the people to the ministers in strict justice, and not as a mere act of char- ity : for it is the hire of their labour, and the wages of their work." Answer. Hereby he owns himself, and all that arc in his practice, to be hirelings, thf)Ugh he will not allow others to call him or them so; imd Cjuotes these texts of s\:ripture to prove it, jL///y', X. 7. 2 Cor. x'u 8-. 1 Cot: NOT WARRANTABLE. ^53' IX. 7. 14. Gal. vi. 6. 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. and adds as falsely, and says, " The argument which the apostle uses for the Gen- tiles ministering to the Jews, reaches this case." Hom, Kv. 27. Answer. Surely the man forgets himself, for the a- postle only spoke of a free collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, as in the two foregoing verses plainly appears. " But now 1 go to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints." Verse 25. *' For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem." Verse 26. When will our greedy priests take so much care of the poor ? As to the texts of scripture above quoted, I shall take the pains to set them down at large, that the reader may see ho\v they ansA\ er his grand question : for what pur- pose he concealed them (in his) in figures, is best known to himself. Truly if he had set them down at large, it needs must have been plainly manifested, to every body that should read them^ that he was in the wrong : for they assert no such thing as he would have them to prove, viZi a forced maintenance for gospel ministers. The first is, '* And in the same house remain, eating and drink- ing such things as they give (What could be more against him ?) for the labourer is worthy of his hire : go not from house to house, and into what city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you." Where is legal force here ? Let this man have a care lest he be one of those that are blinded : for he must needs be blind, if he cannot see that this holy text makes not for his purpose, but directly against him : here is not a word of legal force. It is far from it, that they were only to eat what was set before them, if they received them who were true min- isters, sent of Christ ; which yet will be hard work for persecuting priests to prove themselves, be they of what religion they may. Well, what shall we do for this legal force ? Why, truly, we cannot find it in the gospel of the New Testament. Christ came to fulfil the law and change tJie priesthood, and put an end to carnal ordi- z z 354 I'ORCING A MAINTENANCE nances. But it may be Joseph Metcalfe is an Old Tes- tament mail, (as a certain Nt\v-Enp;land convert said, on an occasion well known to some of them) : if he be, and \\ ill follo^v the letter of the knv, he must t^o to knock- ing down oxen, and killing sheep, Mlnch work 1 believe thev of his cloth are genciall) too high for. The next is, " I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service." 2 Cor. xi. 8. Surel}-, can any bod} be so bold as, from this text, to say that the apostle made a common j^ractice of preach- ing for wages, as our m.odern priests do now-a-days ? I h(.pe no christian will imagine from tho-.e words of the apostle, that he was a tl.ief, or sacrilegious person, but only consider it as a freedom of speech, which he used to those whom he loved, as in verse 11, is plainly ex- pressed. It is a fimiliar way of expression among our- selves, where we know we may be free, when any thing is given U8 from- our friend, ()h ! 1 shall rob thee too mucli : to put any other construction upon the apostle's words, \\'ould be to mikt tiie apostle a sacrilegious per- son, and a robber, which is absurd. But pra} let him speak fairly a little for himself, and he will u ipe off these money loving priests very handsomely. " I have," says he, " preached to you the gospel of God freely." Verse 7. Oh! that cutting word " freeh ," ^\hat shiJl we do with it ? Though it was so near our legal minister, yet he thought fit not to meddle with it. And in the ninth verse (just vmder, as the seventh just above, by which the poor man is hedged in ; how he will get out, I know not), the apostle says, " And when 1 was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man." And tells them in the same verse, " that he kept himself from being burthensome to them, and that he resolved to keep himself so." We dare all those that preach for hire, and have money for divining, to come to such a resolution. However, if they will not come to this good resolution, let them forbear abusing and persecuting those that (by the grace of our Lord Jesus Cl.ris;.) have. The next is, " Who goeth a warfare at his own char- ges ? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the NOT WARRANTABLE. 355 fruit tliereof ? Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk thereof? Even so hadi the Lord orddined, that those who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel." 1 Cor. ix. 7. 14. Joseph hath left out what he thought made against it, from the 8th verse to the 13th, and 15th, where holy Paul sa} s (thf)ugh he had power to eat and drink, verse 4. at frt e cost, yet he doth not say any where, that he had power to take it by force, and we think it ought to be preached from an inward necessity, and not for an out- ward maintenance) " I have used none of these things, neither have I written those things, that it should be so done unto me." 1 wish Josej^h Metcalfe, and others in hij? station, could say so honestly. Now I may proceed to say something to each partic- ular above, as it lieth in the holy text. And, 1st. " Who goeth a warfire at his own charge?" There are some, though very few, I could heartily wish that there were more that would follow his practice that wrote it, who himself was one that did sometimes do it, as there, when he wrought at his lawful calling, and helped those that were with him : and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, there are some \vho do go on in this holy warfare of preaching the gospel in this age of the world at their own charge, who have nothing to boast of neither ; for a necessity is laid upon them, and wo is unto them if they preach not the gospel. Though if any be poor, and want help, we have nothing against it, but are for helping of those who can give a good account of their calling, and we are so free to do it, that we need no forcing to it, nor any law for it. 2d. " Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?" Well, he that hath planted a vineyard, let him eat ■the fruit of it and welcome ; but let him leave other folks' vineyards alone, lest he be counted a robber in the worst sense ; for if the holy apostle robbed, it was by consent ; but these preachers now-a-days rob without consent, even vine3'ards which they never planted, but 'SS6 PORCING A MAINTENAKCE would destroy if they could : Oh ! high, base, and antr- christian practice, with a witness. 3d. " Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk thereof?" But who feedeth a flock, and milks the flocks, of others? Answer. Antichrist and persecutors, that cannot be content with the milk that their own flocks give, but will needs be milking and fleecing too, those poor sheep which cannot in conscience join with them believing that their way is not the door into the true sheepfold, but that ihey are climbing up some other way like thieves and robbers. And because the poor sheep of the true shep- herd Jesus Christ, bleat forth those things, those inwardly ravening wolves, who have got only the sheep's clothe ing outwardly, being known to be such by their fruits of" persecution, will needs put the poor sheep in their pounds, Avhen and where they have power, or else take it by force, that is to say legal, forsooth. 4th, ^' Even so hath the Lord ordained that they that preach the gospel, shall live of the gospel." Yes, he hath ordained that they should live, but not that they should force a living. A blessed ordination, and with holy reverence be it repeated; for and because every true minister of Jesus knows the sweet benefit of it in a two-fold sense, 1st, He hath a holy living for his soul ; he is richly fed at his great Master's table, with the finest of the wheat, as with the holy honey, or the sweet- ness of the word of eternal life, which is strength to him in weakness, riches to him in poverty, and joy and peace to him in persecution, which the world, and all the per- secutors therein, can never take away from him; blessed \)c God in Christ forever, ?d, As to his bodily living, if he be a true man, and not a lover of filthy lucre, or gain, he will have cause to say, as his great Master's servants did of old, that he lack- ed nothing, especially if his call is from God and Christ, and not from man or money. Oh ! this mone}^ that is a loud call indeed to our men-made ministers: if at any time there chance to be two calls, I always observed that NOT WARRANTABLE. 3517 tlie highest bidder carried the priest. But where shall we find that the Lord hath ordained that a minister shall have fifty or an hundred pounds per annum (in all the holy records) for preaching the gospel ? No, our great High- Priest said to his, " Freely ye have received, freely give." But if it had been his mind, he could as well, and with as great and as good authority as any of these men, have said, if they will not give it you freely, take it by force. But those forcers know not of what spirit they are ; if they do, they must needs be the greater hyp- ocrites, and so their condemnation the greater. *' Let him that is taught in the word, communicate un- to him that teacheth, in all good things." Gal. vi. 6. Yes, let those whom these men teach, communicate ' to them; for communicate and legal force are words of different signification. I hope by this time this preach- er's eyes will be opened to see his error, in pleading for legal, forced maintenance, especially from Christ's and the apostles' practice and doctrine, as recorded in the ho- ly scripture. The next text which he quotes is, " Let the elders who rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they M^ho labour in the word and doctrine; for the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and the labourer is worthy of his reward." 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. Very well, what is this to his legal force ? Here is nothing of it ; those that rule well, will not force any body, nor set the magistrates upon their backs, because they cannot conform to their ways ; those must be anti- christian teachers for certain, being opposite to Christ : for he indeed was persecuted, but never persecuted any, nor forced any, though it was in his power; for which reason we cannot give those men that double honour which they desire ; and for those who say they labour in the word and doctrine of our meek Lord, to set the mag- istrates upon us, is wicked ruling, instead of ruling well. And as for the poor ox that treads out the corn, I am far from having him muzzled ; but when he bites, and 358 FORCIKCS A MAINTFNANCE with his horns pushes the sheej), and tramples the e^row- ing- ,ejrecn corn to dirt, I think then he ought to be muz- zled and hoppled too. In his second page he says, *' 3d. It is the duty of every inhabitant in a town to pay proportionably towards ministers' maintenance." Answer. No, if thev are not all of one persuasion (and if they were all of one persuasion, he hath no such precedent from Christ nor the apostles to force, neither legal nor illegal) and are not free in the choice of such minister : he runs too fast there, without he is popishly inclined, to persecute every body into his persuasion, which has been too much the practice of some of the New- England migistraies and ministers. I may not here forget, though I forgive, the salutation of a certain person, when I first entered the streets of their metrop- olis of New-England. "Oh! (says he) what a pity it was that they did not hang all the quakers when they hanged the other four." 'iemarkable was the answer that one of his neighbours made him. " I wonder you are not ashamed to say so : for you know that the judgments of God have been on our country ever since." I mention this as a caution to the New- England ministers, that they would teach their people more manners to their neighbours, and to strangers; and to let them know, that sometimes the above-named people cannot be quiet in their solemn meetings, for the worship of Almighty God, in their chief town of Boston ; which, as I under- stand, is very much owing to lies and reproaches which the people have from their priests and pulpits. All which is a shame to moderate christians : some of whom, of all persuasions, I hope there are in the gountry and territories of New- England. " For, first, (says he) none were exempted of old from paying tithes for the maintenance of the ministry." By his leave, he is mistaken, for those that did not join with them in circumcision were exempted. " 2d. Every hearer ought to pay proportionably towards the maintc nance of the preacher. Gal. vi. 6. And every inhabitant ought to be a hearer, [what, against NOT WARRANTABLE. 359 his conscience ?] for it is a sin to forsake the assembling themselves together. Heb. x. 25. And one sin can nev- er excuse another." Answer. If 1 should ask him, he being a presbyterian, whether it be a sin to forsake the assemblies of the quakers, papists, church of England, or baptists, and come to theirs, I presume he would say no : then to what a non-plus he has broug-st himself and brethren, especially in Old-England, for forsaking the church, and setting up meetings of their own : truly he has made them all sinners in so doing. I do not know how his brethren in New-E!,ngland will resent i^; but I dare say bis bre:thren in Old- England will give him no thanks for this unlucky turn. How he will excuse himself in the sin of ignorance, I know not. Would not this have been a topping Vv'riter for the papists, when they burned the protestants for not coming to church ? 3d. In the second page he says, " The apostle directs in acts of charity, that every one contribute in proportion as God had prospered him. 1 Coi'. xiv. 2. And that there should be equality, every one bearing their equal proportion of such a burthen. 2 Cor. viii. 13, 14." He goes en, " much more ought there to be a proportion or equality observed in the maintenance of the ministry, which is a matter of communicative justice ; so it was under the law, and so it should be under the gospel." Answer. Notwithstanding these priests will bring those texts of holy scripture, that tend to promote charity to the poor, and many iiistances out of ancient authors for stirring up charity to the poor; yet they will not, when it comes to their ease, alloAv it to be as charity, but a debt ; as saith our author in his first page : and J. Mather, in a little book set forth to promote the maintenance of their ministers, in which I observe he tells them, " If they will stand to the old law of the Jews, they must have but a tenth of the tenth ;" which I suppose will not satisfy those men that have hire for preaching, and money for divining ; and therefore I think it their best way, to let the Jews old law alone, and take to the new law and covenant of our great Lord Jesus. •36<5 fORCINO A maintenanCk And further, if they will bring instances of charitj'' to the poor, out of scripture, and other authors, let them be just, and always when they would make the application of it to the ministry, to put honestly the word poor before ministry : viz. poor priest, poor min- ister : otherwise let them let fall their argument for char- ity for the poor (which no good christian will go about to dispute against) and see what their arguments for justice in the case will do for them. They say it is a just debt, a matter of communicative justice ; but when people do not see cause to commune with them, but quite the contrary, and buy none of their ware or mer- chandize, pray what justice is there in this? Why truly none, but a great deal of injustice. 4th. He says, " if any man fail of doing his just pro- portion, he thereby exposes either the minister to lose so much of his just due, (but he falls short of proving it a just due) or the other inhabitants to pay more than their just proportion, and so he is guilty of manifest wrong and injustice." No, where the people are not consenting (and if they were consenting, the New Testament is silent to any such way of maintaining gospel ministers) to this propor- tion, but see an evil in it : and there is no force under the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as I have abundantly and clearly (to those who are not blinded) proved above, even from the very texts of scripture which he brings and wrests to prove the contrary, of which let the impartial judge. Thus he and they building their structure of mainte- nance upon a bad foundation, viz. legal force, it will fall to the ground, if the magistrates do not help : for which he calls very loud : and well he may, considering he and others of his mind are ready to faint and fall without it. But by what hath been said, I would char- itably hope that all moderate christian magistrates will take care that the preachers eat only the grapes of their «wn vine, and the milk of their own flock, and keep so far just as to let other folks' grapes and milk alone. But if the priests and magistrates will join together in NOT WARRANTABLE. 361 persecution, then will the poor sufferer appeal from them to our great High Priest, and just Judge of heaven and earth, and through his grace patiently suffer what he shall please to permit to come upon us. 5th. In his third page he says, " The public minis- try of the gospel in any town is a public privilege, and every inhabitant is considered therein, and partakes in the privilege : for the preaching of the gospel is the great engine of salvation, and means of faith. Rom. i. 16. X. 17." If he means that there is no other preaching the gos- pel but from his sect, we openly declare to the worlds that we diff<.'r from him in our judgment, and we believe upon good groijnds too. And what gospel, or glad ti- dings (which the word imports) can that be to people to preach to them, " that a certain number of them are eternally ordained to damnation :" and, for ou^^'ht these knowing men know, they may themselves be some of them ; for they cannot tell who these damned ones are. I think it would be abundantly better if those pry^ ing ministers would let the secret will of him that made them alone ; for that belongs to God, and not to man. *' The revealed truths belong to us, and our children." And to tell people they can never be free from the act of sin while in this world, is really miserable news, and dreadful tidings indeed ; since sin is the cause of God's wrath and damnation, and since we cannot in conscience join with such anti-gospel ministers, they ought not in conscience to take our money or goods from us. Again he says, " Every one is invited to take of the water of life freely. Rev. xxvi. 17." But, by their leave, theirs is the water of death, if we must always sin even in our best duties, then he knows that " The wages of sin is death ;" and may not any good christians be truly thankful when they are delivered from such a sinful ministry ? And what a knock he gives himself in saying, " We take of it freely," and his pages are written on purpose to make people believe they ought to pay for it, and that they may force it from them too. So we may plainly see that their waters, which A a a 5o2 roRCiNc; a maintenance proceed from them in such bitter streams, are the wa- ters of death ; because we cannot have them freely, ac- cording to the doctrine of the Holy Ghost in the holy scripture, which he himself hath broui^ht. Again, whereas he says, " Where there is no vision, or preaching the gospel, the people perish. Prov, xxix. 18." This is contrary to what they say, when they teach that vision and revelation is ceased. He goes on, " Being without God, without Christ* without the covenant, they are in a hopeless perishing condition." If he would infer from these words, that where there is no public vocal teaching the people perish, the Al- mighty has been kinder than his minister ; for he has graciously promised, that he would teach his people himself: " The children of the Lord are taught of the Lord, &c. And thine eyes shall behold thy teachers, who cannot be removed into a corner." Isa. xxx. 2(X which cannot be meant of outward preachers, for they are often removed into corners : but God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit cannot. And Christ promised to send the spirit of truth, which should lead and guide into all truth (not into sin.) Now, to say that such who have not outward vocal preaching perish, is absurd ; and he must want charity, and then all his harangues in his pulpit are but like sounding brass. But now, says he, " Where the kingdom of God is preached, every man is at liberty, and hath an opportu- nity to be pressing into it," (and I add, without paying for it) Luke xvi. 16. " But where the kingdom of satan is preached (which is sin for term of life) the peo- ple have liberty to fly from it." Further he says, " If any refuse the counsel of God against themselves, it is their own fault." Answer. If any do so, it is their own fault indeed ; but to refuse the evil counsel of a sinful minister, is a virtue, and no fault at all. Again, " They have a price put in their own hand, although being fools, they have no heart to improve it." NOT WARRANTABLE. 36,3 We arc willing to be counted fools by such wiselings; but let him know, that wisdom himself said, " He that will be wise, must first become a fool." He proceeds, and says, " It was a privilege to them that were invited to the marriage of the King's Son, though they made light of the invitation, and would not come." Mat. xxii. Answer. Those that rightly come to the marriage of the King's Son, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, must put off the garment spotted with the flesh, lest it be said to them, " Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on the wedding garment ?" Let every true christian fear, lest he bring on himself thiit awful sentence, " Depart from me all ye that work iniquity, I know you not;" notwithstanding they had eat and drank in his presence, and in his name they had cast out devils, and done many wondrous works', and he had taught in their streets ; yet nevertheless, because they were found in the acts of sin, they must depart from him. Now, says he, *' Every inhabitant, partaking in the public privilege of a gospel ministry, reason and justice requires, that every one should bear a part of the exter- nal charge, in order to the maintenance of it." Answer, iiut every person not partaking of what he calls so, and believinjr that, as these erroneous priests preach it to be a bondage, and not a privilege ; to force such to pay too, is altogether unreasonable, and great injustice ; let all sensible christians judge. 4th. He says, " It is warrantable from scripture, that such inhabitants as refuse to pay any thing toward the support of the ministry, should have their just propor- tion taken from them by legal distress." Answer. We want him, or any of his brethren, to show us that warrant from holy scripture; for he hath not done it yet: and where shall we find that it is war- rantable from scripture, and the doctrine and practice of Christ and his apostles *? for what he has produced from holy scripture, has fairly proved to the contrary ; and as for his legality, that great word, it is only what others 364> FORCING A MAINTENANCE of his spirit have pleaded in former ages. Did not Nebuchadnezzar persecute the servants of God by a law? Could not they say they suffered legal!}? Did not the Jews sa} concerning our Lord, " We have a law, and by that law he ought to die ?" Did not the people of iMussachit- setts make a laAv, and by it hang the poor innocent Cjua- kers ? Did not all those say, that they suffered legally? And do not some of the New-England minister^ justify it in their pulpits to this day? though others there are (I believe) really sorry for it. " Oh, but (say our modern teachers, who have money for it) we hope you will not compare us christians to Jews and heathens," Why not, if found in their practices ? For when once people go to persecute others for their conscientious dis- sent, it is most certain they go from the spirit of Christ, as may fairly be proved from Christ's own expressions ; and doubtless all persecutors are antichrists, notwithstand- ing their fine gilding of it over, with the words, legal distress, and prosecution. In his fourth page he begins thus, " For it is a just and legal debt, as has already been proved." (To those that agree to it, and contract it, he should have added.) Answer. But unjust and illegal to those who cannot, for conscience sake, consent to it, and therefore it is a mistake in him to say, " It has already been proved ;" for he hath not, nor can he prove it (to force any by a coercive power) to be consonant to the holy scripture. In page the 4th he says, " God has given his ministers a just right to some proportion of every man's estate, in the place were they minister." What, Jews, heathens, and all ? What, every man, whatsoever ? Where proves he that ? For my part, if I were a minister for money, I should think that what I got from other people against their wills, Avould never pros- per, but would be a curse to, and upon me, and tend to the consumprion of the rest of my estate, rather than augmenting of it : and I have heard some moderate min- isters, who have money for their preaching, say the same. NOT WARRANTABLE 365 He goes on further, and says " And that part of each man's estate, which God gives ministers a right to by his just and equal law." Answer. By his just and equal gospel he forces none ; but leaves every one to be fully persuaded in their own minds. And he must needs say, " That the gospel power ex- ceeds the power of any law whatsoever." And the gospel is free, not forced, as he in vain would endeavour to prove from holy scripture. That must be an unjust law that forces people to buy whether they will or no, and therefore none of God's law or way ; for all his laws and ways are equal. And he also says in page the 4th, " They have as much power to challenge it as any other debt or wages." Not without people agree with them, and hire them. ( \nd though they do agree with them, I do not grant that they have any colour, from the New 'J'estament, to make any such law, even among themselves ; it being incon- sistent with the nature of the glorious gospel of Christ.) Upon which a passage comes into my mind, between an Indian and a New England minister, well known to some of their teachers in New- England, who (for preaching) took from a dissenter from the presbyterian way, one of his cows : The Indian asked him why he did so ? The priest answered, if I hire you to make a fence for me, would you not expect your wages ? Yes (says the In- dian) but he no hire you, and when me do man's work, then man pay me ; Ijut when you do God's work, then God pay you. The poor Indian was in the right, for truly God's pay is better than all the silver and gold in the world. Oh! but, say they, how must we live? If they had faith in God and Christ, they need not fear a living in this world. But, say they, " The people are so hard-hearted, that if there were not a law for it, the ministers might starve." Then their doctrine must starve the people's souls, or else surely they would not let their bodies starve : that must needs be a lifeless, dull, dead ministry, that will not 366 FORCING A MAINTENAKCE open people's hearts, so as to keep the preachers from starving; but I think there is no fear of their starving, for they generally live like lords among the people. But let them remember withal, that they are not to lord it over the heritage of God. " It is (says he) agreeable to the doctrine of Christ and his apostle, that such as refuse to pay their just debts, should be distrained for the same, by virtue of the civil svv^ord amongst the christians." Rom. xiii. 14. Ansvi^er. He should prove the debt to be just, and then this text would have been to his purpose : for those that «ontract delfts, ought to pay them. In page 5th, he talks of the law and light of nature, and reason, and says, " It is the law of God written in the heart." Rom. ii. 15. He adds, " All the laws of God do sweetly harmonize both one with another, and the doc- trine of Christ and his apostles ; there is no manner of jar between any of these." Answer. But there is a wonderful jar between the cor- rupt nature or law of man, and the divine nature or law of God; he should have distinguished between the cor- rupt nature, reason and law, and the divine; for except he rightly divide between the precious and the vile, he cannot be as the mouth of God to the people. Now the corrupt and covetous nature in those that seek their gain from their quarter, and preach for hire, and divine for money, says, " That those that cannot pay them" (though for conscience sake) " they must be forced to it, whether they will or no." But the divine nature of Christ and his apostles says, " Freely ye have received, freely give." Mat. x. 8. If their gospel is not free, they have not received it from Christ. Also, if they have not received it freely, they may call it their own gospel, but it is not Christ's. And though Christ's ministers had power to eat and drink, and to forbear working, yet, says the divine nature in the apostle, *' I have used none of those things ; neither do I write, that it should be so done unto me." 1 Cor. ix. 15. And that it is not covetousness, that divers quakers so called, cannot pay the covetous priests, is manifest; for NOT WARRANTABLE. 367 they take much more, and sometimes double and treble, as I could easily bring many instances and living witnesses to prove what I assert, from Virginia, Maryland, and abundantly in New- England (without going over to Great Britain) in which many thousands of pounds have those legal ministers taken by force, within these fifty years, from such as for conscience sake, could not put it into their own mouths ; and then war has been proclaimed against those poor sheep* Well, let the righteous judge, not the self-righteous ( I do not mean them) but those who are clothed upon with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, as he wrought it outwardly for them, and also as he works it by his holy spirit, in their hearts. Next to his 3dly, Touching government and magis- trates, which the people called quakers ever owned and honoured in their way, though they could not cringe, scrape and bow, after the common mode of the sinful times, nor give titles to them in flattery : but we reckon that those magistrates that are a terror to hypocrites and evil doers, ought to have a hearty inward respect and hon- our, shown to them generously in action and courteous expression, and not in a parcel of idle compliments. Such magistrates as the above, were never a terror unto us, but we have blessed God on their behalf in our solemn assemblies publicly, and often in the secret of our souls privately ; and many times prayed for our persecutors also. I wish this priest be not too much inclining to such. May his eyes be opened ! He goes on, and endeavours to animate and stir up the magistrates to persecution, by insinuating that those who, for conscience sake, cannot give any thing to the priest, are evil, unjust, and wicked persons : who, not- withstanding, take them in a general way, and their con- versations, are as just as the brightest of their church members, as divers of themselves are forced to acknow ledge. If for this testimony to our innocence, any should im- agine we boast, it is he, and such as he, that are the occasion of this confident boasting, and we have ouf great apostle, even Paul, for our example. 368 FORCING A MAINTENANCE Now I hope the magistrates will take care not to per- secute the just, but to turn the edge of their swords against the evil doers ; and then, doubtless, they will not bear their swords in vain : and let the edge of it be as sharp and as keen as it will, we fear not: for against true men there is no law (which is upon a just basis, or foundation) that will harm them. I tenderly and lovingly, as a minister of Jesus Christ, and true lover of good government, exhort and warn all magistrates to be careful to keep within their own prov- ince : for conscience is none of theirs. It is the pecu- liar province of Jesus Christ. The great territory of the King of kings, and Judge of the quick and dead. And he will render unto every man a recompense. Now if conscience were only a cloak for covetousness, it ought to be stript off, but it is plain that cannot be our case; for we lose much more by our denial (and some- times a great deal more, than as much more) by our not pa} ing freely, as is above said. But we may (I hope) presume that the magistrates know their duty vvithout being taught it from the pulpit : I would have no free spirited magistrate to let priests ride them : for if they do, it is to be doubted they will ride them to death : for persecuting men of their cloth, seem^ to have but little mercy. I once heard a priest say to a couple of justices (a church of England preacher for money, but as himself said to some of his neighbours, a presbyterian in his heart) do your office, which was upon my poor self, who had been preaching against sin and evil, according to the best of my understanding. Why what is the matter ? "He has been preaching (says the priest) in a place not licens- ed, and has broken the law." " Well (says another jus- tice, beside the aforesaid two) then you have broken the law first, for you preached there before him;" and thought k was our meeting by appointment, yet \vc quietly hea'-d him read his sermon, and I dare say, he never had qui- Gter hearers in all his days than we were. And indeed reading is the general practice of some modern teachers, far from the practice of Christ, the a])Os- tles, and primitive christians, when christumity shone in NOT WARRANTABLE,. ,316^ its primitive beauty and glory, and when christians de- pended more upon the gift of the Holy Ghost (or Spir- it) and less upon natural parts and human inventions, which is worthy of the solid consideration of all true christians. I have also observed that those magistrates who have jouied with persecuting priests, in persecuting men of sober lives and conversations, for their religious dissent and persuasion, that they have not prospered; and many sober people, not of our society, have taken notice of the same. This is oifered to the serious consideration of men of high degree (in reverence and great humil- ity.) And though Joseph Metcalfe flatters the magistrates, telling them, they bear the visible image and character of gods, in order to flatter them into a persecuting spir- it, yet I hope, and believe, that he will not find many magistrates nor ministers of his mind : for if all the magistrates and ministers in New-England were as much for persecuting as he seems to be by his writing, what might all those expect, who differed from the presby- terian way in New-England if they had pov/er? But blessed be God, I certainly know that there are divers moderate people, who are against persecution, even amongst the presbyterians in New-England. In his seventh page, he says, " lu case of people's defect in this matter (of paying for preaching) legal com- pulsion is the only remedy, (What, no other remedy ?) and must be used, otherwise religion, which is a peo- ple's life, will soon fall to the ground." Answer. Where will his doctrine land ? What, can not Christ uphold his church without the magistrates ? The religion of Christ, the apostles, and primitive chris- tians, stood, and stands yet, without being supported by the civil magistrates. Wliat, has he got som.e new religion, which cannot stand without the outward povv - er "? But it seems some of the New- England ministc rs reckon that they must fall, if the magistrates do not u]^r hold them. " They (i. e. the magistrates) are, (says J>j- .s-eph Metcalfe) the keepers of bodi tables." B b b ^70 rORCING A MAINTENANCE Answer. But I thouejht that God had been the keeper of his pi ople, and Christ the shc])herd of his slicep, and the Holy Ghost the comforter of them; I thought this Infinite Being had been the great preserver of men in rehgion. In his eighth page^ he brings divers texts of scripture to prove the power of the magistrates, which we never denied, especially vvhen they exercise their power and au- thority to the terror of evil doers, and the praise of them that do well. And at the latter end of the said page he sa} s, " From the whole, I conclude, with submission to better judgments, that it is warrantable from scripture, and agreeable to the doctrine and practice of Christ and his apostles, for the laws aforesaid to be put in execu- tion." Answer. But, alas ! this is all beside his assertion. His business was to prove a legal forced maintenance for gospel ministers, or else he doth nothing. What! hath he been travelling through all his pages, and brought forth nothing but this windy doctrine at last ? He speaks of submission to better judgments, and I would have him, if he dare to do it, submit to the judgment of Christ and his apostles, who I think have fairly decided the question in favour of the poor abused quakers, that it is not according, but contrary to the language of the Holy Ghost, in the holy scripture, that gospel ministers maintenance should be forced by a coercive power. From what has been said, let all ingenuous christian readers judge. In the ninth page, " Nevertheless (says he) if any ar- guments can be produced from scripture, or right rea- son, of greater strength and weight to prove the nega- tive, than there may be to maintain the affirmative ; I hope I shall readily subscribe thereto." Answer. A person would from those expressions al- most hope for a recantation from him, especially if he seriously considers the doctrine of Christ and his apos- tles, as here noted at large. " But (saith he) till I receive further light, conscience commands me to conform to that measure I have." NOT WARRANTABLE. STl Answer. He had best to have a care of the command- ing power of an evil conscience. He goes on, " And while I do conscientiously conform to that measure of light within me, walking in obedience to all its commands and directions." Answer. But suppose that light in him should be dark- ness : then, as Christ said, " How great is that dark- ness ?" as for certain it is, when he goes about to prove that for truth, which is contrary to Christ's doctrine. As to his saying " Then the quakers must let fall the grand article of their religion." Answer. Let him seriously read over the first chapter of John, as also many other places of the holy scripture on that subject of the light, and if he is not one of those who are blinded, perhaps he may be undeceived, and his gross mistake rectified. I hope he is careful of preaching such doctrine in his pulpit. A certain church member of the presbyterian way, in New-Engand, told me, that their minister told them in his pulpit, " That we denied the Bible, or Holy Scrip- tures." And made the poor woman really believe it to be true, than which, nothing could be more false. But the honest woman thought she would try me. " Was you (says she) brought up among quakers ? were your father and mother quakers ? Yes, said I, they were so called. " And (says she) would they suffer you to read in the Bible when you were a little boy ?" Yes, and correct me too, because I was not so willing to do it as they would have me to be. Thus have the poor quakers been abused in divers pulpits in New- England and other places, for which rea- son, I would advise all professed christian ministers in New-England, and elsewhere, wherever this may meet with them who have so abused us that for the time to come they do not tell the people in their pulpits, that the quakers deny Christ, the Scriptures, the power of the magistrates, and many other things, which would make a volume of themselves, if they were all penned. For them to cry out in their pulpits, *' Have a care of the •372 FORCIN© A MAINTENANCE delusions of the quakers," and at the same time to delude the people to believe lies of them is really horrid. " Oh ! but (say they) the quakers are more orthodox now than they were ;" when, in truth, it is the calum- nies that have been cast on us are now made more man- ifest to be falsehoods. And then ought not they to bc» glad at the news of our reformation ? T, CHALKLEYS NOT WARRANTABLE. 573 REMARKS JOSEPH METCALFE'S POSTSCEIPT. Now I shall consider his postscript, in writing of which he has dipt his pen deep in the gall of bitterness in some parts of it, which I shall touch a little upon, as I shall come to them. But to begin, " Notwithstanding (saith he) all that I have said in the preceding discourse concerning mainte- nance : yet as to my own particular, if a temporal main- tenance had been my chief aim, I should have discovered great folly in accepting a call from so small and poor a people." Answer. From his words, one may conclude it was his aim, though not his chief aim ; and then, as to the shepherd's call, ought it not to be from the great Shep- herd Jesus Christ? and if they will answer this call, he stiys, "Go forth." Where do we find any example for a minister of the gospel, to stay and preach to only one particular congregation ? Pray let them produce it if they oun. But now suppose a place should present to Joseph Met- calfe, where the people were richer, and more of them ; would he not leave his poor flock, to go to the rich ? Pray let him have a care, as he says, that his own heart do not deceive him : we but too plainly perceive, by the practice of those money ministers, that the loudest call, is the most money. Query, upon this great word call, whether the sheep use to call the shepherd, or the shep- herd the sheep ? Do not they strangely invert the order of nature here, in their pretended call from the people ? Christ the true shepherd said, " My sheep hear my voice." So that he and his servants, or ministers, call the sheep, and not the sheep them ; and those holy shepherds called 374 FORCING A MAINTENANCE their sheep freely, though these must have money for their calling, and the sheep call them too : neither will that satisfy some of those shepherds, but they will needs have money from some poor sheep that never called them; and if they cannot give it them freely, they will have it by force. A young shepherd said to one at Salem, in New- England, " That though Paul had power, and did Dot use it, yet he would use his power." But that bless- ed apostle never pretended to any forcible power, except the force and power of love. He, the said Joseph Metcalfe, complains of his small income for preaching, and of his poverty ; though it is probable he has more than all ihe twelve apostles, and seventy disciples, when they were sent forth by their great Lord and master ; and to be sure he has more money for preaching, than they all had. But he has con- fessed his call is not divine, therefore not from Christ ; for he says, " If he had a divine call, he could forego every thing in the world." And so he is but a legal literal preacher, and minister : a minister that forces himself to offer, and would also force those who receive not his offering, to pay him, though against their con- sciences. And as for his family's starving,! never heard or read of any christian minister's family starving, especially in a christian country ; nor I believe he nor any body else. Certainly there is need to cry out to those men, " O, yc of little faith ! who clothes the lilies, and feeds the spar- rows, shall he not take care of you"? O, ye of little faith !" I fear they forget the doctrine of him, whom they some- times call the Lord. As to what he writes in the second page of his post- script, if he duly minds v/hat I have written in answer to his, I think he cannot imagine that the flaming ven- geance there poured out by him upon us, can any way touch us ; but let him and them which are concerned in the work (for I understand he had the help of a cunning man in this work) have a care, that it fall not on them- selves : and truly the poor quakers may be very thankful that the flaming sword is not in their hands : for if it NOT WARRANTABLE. 37S were, experience, yea, woful experience, has taught us^ that we might expect but little mercy from some of them. And pray why cannot they be more patient, since they hold that God hath ordained whatever conies to pass ? For they see it come to pass that we cannot join with them, cannot they let the ordinance of God alone ? I remem- ber an expression of Cotton Mather, in one of his scur- rilous pieces, " That the best way to deal with the qua- kers, was to let them alone." Then, according to Cotton Mather, this man, and he that helped him, have taken the worst way to deal with us : and truly they lose ground generally when they meddle with us. As for his foolish pity and bitter lamentation over us, we desire that they would lament over themselves and their children, as our Saviour did over the Jews when they persecuted him ; and truly those who justify their forefathers in hanging the quakers, and their other ways, of so bitterly persecuting them as they did, had not only need to lament, but to repent too. And even now, they prove themselves to be the persecutors (and not we) by forcing a maintenance from us. The presbyterians in Old- England, alias Great-Britain, are one with us in this doctrine, that forcing a maintenance for ministers from them that do not hear them, is altogether wrong and unjust : and how comes it to pass, that the same people are otherwise minded in New-England? Let tiiem resolve this question. I shall consider these texts of scripture which he has thrown at us (and gently return them unto him again.) At the end of his postscript he says, " The judgments of God are a great deep." (Yes too deep for his legal literal buckets to fetch them up,) Jiom. xi. 7. " The election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." I hope he will give the Almighty leave to elect whom he pleaseth. Were the election in the power of this priest, let the reader judge whether we might expect any of it. He cites, 2 Cor. iv. 3. " If our gospel be hid, it is hid to those that are lost." Answer. Now why did this priest hide the fourth and next verse, was it not for fear the light of the quakers' V 1^6 FORCING A MAINTIKANCE doctrine should shine upon tlie peop'i*:- ? Whicli is thus (the fourth verse opening and exj)laining the third,) " In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not ; lest the light of the glorious gos- pel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." Or as in the 6th verse, " For God who com- manded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ." He thought good lo hide this gospel, but I think good to make it mani- fest ; which puts me in mind of a proverb, " Who is so blind as those that will not see ?" He goes on, 2 Thess. ii. 10, 11, 12. "They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved ; and for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that the) should believe a lie ; that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrigh- teousness." And Jiide 8, 10, 11, 12, 13. "These filthy dreamers despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities, but speak evil of these things which they know not ; wf> unto them^ clouds they are without water, raging waves foaming out their own shame ; wandering stars, to whom IS reserved the blackness of darkness forever." To all which I answer, 1st. We have received the truth in the lo\'C of it, the Holy Spirit beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God : which holy witness, is stronger for us, than the witness of ten thousand priests can be against us. 2d. " So the cause being taken away, the effect of delusion ceaseth." And 3d. Pray let them be careful of deluding them- selves and the people, by keeping them in ignorance and darkness : telling them, tliey cannot be cleansed from sin, while here in this world. For all those that believe tills, do believe a lie with a witness, and are strangely and strongly deluded. This is a miserable gospel, con- trary to the doctrine of the holy apostles, who are posi- tively opposite to that evil tenet. " If (says the apostle) we walk in the light, as he is in the light, then the blood «f Jesus Christ, his Son, Fleiui-seth ws i'r©m all siii." And WOT WARRANTABLE. -3^7 Christ came to destroy the works of the devil, and to save the people from their sin. And pray beware of taking pleasure in pleading for unrighteousness. 4th. As to these filthy dreamers, pray be careful what you dream in your pulpits to the people ; for some of you will not allow of the immediate operation of the Holy Ghost ; wherefore beware of filthy dreams, and old wives' fables. 5th. We despise not those who are dignified in the truth, and rule well in the church (not with rigour and persecution), and we account them worthy of doul^le honour ; but persecutors are not so much as worthy of single honour, and we should be but hypocrites to give it them. 6th. And what celestial rain, or holy divine water, is there in those cloudy dark preachers, who preach dam- nation to the greatest part of the world ? Let them look to it, and repent in time. 7th. " Raging waves, foaming out their own shame." Answer. If persecution is not the fruit of rage and shame, I do not know what is. Pray courteous reader judge. 8th. " Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the black- ness of darkness forever." Now because many cast this text in our teeth, I shall write a little to it, thus ; this must be intended to those who wander from the holy spirit, gift, and grace of God in themselves, by and from which every true minister of Christ ought to exercise his gift, and not to speak when, where, and what he pleases ; Oh, happy world ! if all professing to be christian ministers did not wander from this gift into the inventions and traditions of men. Ard further, this cannot be taken in an outward sense, because Christ himself, and his apostles travelled much, and said, *' Take us for examples ; follow us, as we have followed Christ." And all that know any thing of letters, know that the word apostle signifies a messenger, which neces- sarily implies a traveller ; and divers of these blessed ones had no certain dwelling place. Our dear Lord him- self had not whereon to lay his head, as himself pays ; o c c 378 FORCING A MAINTEtJ^NCE, &C. and those who conscientiously travel to turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of ^atan to the power of God, and are instrumental to turn many to righ- teousness, notwithstanding all men can do to blacken them, yet the holy text says, Dan. viii. 2, 3. "They shall shine as the brightness of the iirmament, and as the stars, for ever and ever." Amen. T. CHALKLEY. SOME OBSERVATIONS ON CHRISTS SERMON THE MOUNT. if ye lote me, keep my commandments. JOHN xlv. 15. Ye are my friends, if ye do wliutsoever I command you. JOHN XV 14. PREFACE TO THE READER. CHRIST being the great author of the christian relig.^ ion. I have thought to make some observations on his sermon, which he preached on the mounts might be accept' able to some of his followers ; especially such who desire^ to fulfil his holy will, and not to rest satisfied in a form and shew only of his religion. And also considering that it is the greatest collection of his words left us in the J\'ew Testament by the evangelists^ in any one place ^ I was in hopes some observations thereon might tend to promote the reading of it in the holy scrip- tures. But the greatest end I had in this undertaking was., that the professors of the name of holy Jesus might live and "walk in his truth., and in the doctrine which he has there laid doivn for his followers to practise ; and that in so do- ing: they inight have peace to their souls here^ arid rest m the kingdom of glory forever . It is by some accounted and looked upon in youth to be a commendable ayid worthy practice to write down sermons^ and to copy and read them over : and^ I believe, it will be generally acknowledged, that there was never any sermon preached in the world, that can be compared with this of Christ., which he preached in the mount., and is recorded by the evangelist Matthew, in his 5th, &th andlth chapters ; which if our young and rising generation would often read, and sometimes write it down f if time would admit J but be sure to practise it ; this would be truly noble in them ; and which if they find they xvant inward strength to perform, then that they would seek it in secret at the hand of the Almighty Jehovah, in whom is everlasting strength ; and it is recorded in holy scripture, " That he gives liberally, and upbraideth not.'''' He will not upbraid thee, because thou art but a child, or tender in years : Oh, therefore, seek him betimes ! for it is written, " They who seek hnn early shall find kim.'''' 382 PRrpACR TO THE READFR. The christian relii^ion being run into many rlivisinns and sub -divisions, this holy sermon, if christians would walk according to it. might and would help to heal their differ- ences., and to soften them in their sentiments one to another. And it is to be believed and hoped, that all parties will con- fess fhat the docrine in this sermon ts good, and ought to be promoted amongst all who profess the worthy name of the Lord Jesus ; and whoever walks contrary to this rule must needs be in the wrong The general end of preachers is, or should be, to have their doctrine taken notice of, and put in practice ; and this being counselfrom the " IFonderfuL Counsellor, the Migh- ty God (and Saviour J the Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace,'''' we shoidd take more than ordinary notice of it. Considering also, that he not only spake his doctrine hut lived 'in it ; and not only lived in, but died in it, arid for ify and us also. Wherefore we are deeply engaged to hear him with an obedient heart and ear. '' This (says the voice from the most Excellent Glory J is my beloved Son^ hear ye him.'''' .4nd Moses, the man of God, says, " That he that w'lll not hear him. shall be destroyed from a?nongst the people :'''' viz. '''' From an inheritance with the saints, in the kingdom of God, and his Christ.'''' J have carefully transcribed the sermon, verbatim, and made some observations on it afterwards, I thnk on every verse a htde, as I found openness to it on my mmd; and 't is recommended to the ser ous perusal and cons:dera^ on of all hose who tenderly and unfe gnedly love our Lord Jesus Christ m sincerity. T.CHALKLEY, SOME OBSERVATIONS ON CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. " And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a moun- tain : and when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," gic. Mat. V. 1, 2. Our Lord seeing the multitudes, for the advancing his Father's glory, his own kingdom, and the good of souls, went up into the mountain, and sat in the power of the Father ; and when so sat down, his disciples came unto him : which shews the necessity of coming to Christ, to hear his word, and that christians ought to assemble themselves before him, that he may speak to them either immediately ; or if he ])leases to enlarge the heart of any of his ministers to declare his word; and as his disciples then personally came unto him, so now we ought to come to him in spirit; and then, when but two or three are so come to him, he is as really present spiritually, as he was personally in the mount. And as this meeting in the mount was powerful and glorious, so will all those be, in measure, where Jesus is really present in spirit. " And he ppened his mouth, and taught them." Thus when true believers meet before Christ, he teaches them, and opens the mysteries of the kirigdom of God, and speaks truly to the state of the people, even now spiritually, as he did then vocally ; and his word is with power and great glory. OIi \ m ly all his servants and ministers, who are sensible of his di- vine call, minister according to their several gifts and ca- •oS-t SOME OBSERVATION'S ON pacltics, in his power, and by his Iioly and divine autbop- ity. lliis must reform the world, and ehange the hearts of poor mortals, and forward the work of refr)rmation, which (with godly sorrow it may be truly said) s^oes but too slowly on in this world. Christ being thus set in the power of his Father, opened his mouth and let fail a shower of blessings on those hearts who were prepared to receive them. For his great love and tender compassion are generally manifested to poor souls when they, with love and zeal to him, and for the honour of his great name, meet and assemble before him. He begins and says, " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the king- dom of heaven." Verse 3. It is a safe and blessed state, to be truly and spiritu- ally poor, and to be rightly sensible of it before the Most Fligh. For then we are nothing, and have nothing, but from the Lord : and without him ni.:m sees himself undone : his soul must starve, he must go naked, if the Almighty do not feed him, and clothe him. And when they sec themselves poor and wretched, miserable, blind^ and naked, without Christ, notwithstanding all the fine things they may enjoy in this world, which is of a fading nature ; Oh ! then how the soul cries, how it begs for mercy and grace. A dry form of words will not satisfy it then ; but it begs with tears. Lord, help me, or I perish ! Save me, or I am undone forever! Here the soul humbly approaches the throne of grace by pra} er; and if an answer is not quickly received (for such a soul is apt to think the time long) it waits ])utiently with that servant of God^, who said, '' Though he sla\ me, yet will I trust in him :*' for I know there is no help for me but from thee, Oh ? Biy God, and my Saviour ! saith the truly poor soul. The food which must keep life in me, is th}' word : and the raiment which I want, is thy righteousness, as tliou wrouglitest it for me, and workest it in nie also. Tiie Lord looks with a compassionate eye on such souls, and doth not use to turn them away empty : but as they abide m the patience, waiting for his appearance in hope, he ifcsuri^s them of the kiiigdom ; and a great turn aixl Christ's sermon on the mount. 385 change is witnessed; for the blessing of Christ makes them rich, which adds no sorrow with it ; for the great- est sorrow was, and is, for want of it ; now their treas- ure and heart is in heaven, and heavenly things are their chiefest delight; now they are clotb.ed with Christ's righteousness, he hath put it upon them, and they shew it in the sight of men, a thorough change being wrought both within and without also ; " The holy scripture bear- ing witness with their spirits, that they are the children of God; (and Christ says) theirs is the kingdom of heav- en." " Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be com- forted." Verse 4. The mourning here spoken of, is that of a godly sort, which may sometimes appear outwardly : 1st. For the soul may mourn for its own sins and iniquities : 2d. For want of a Saviour: and, 3d. For the iniquities of others. " For (first) all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" and since we have all sinned, we have all need to mourn before the Lord, and bow ourselves before the Most High ; and when he sees that we are humbled be- fore him, he then will comfort us. Christ will send the comforter, the spirit of truth in his name, who will come unto us ; and when he is come, we may plainly know and understand it is he, by what he doth, accord- ing to Christ's own rule, which is infallible and certain; says he, " When he is come, he will reprove (or con- vince) the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement : of sin, because they believe not on me ; of righteous- ness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more : and of judgement, because the prince of this world is judged." Thus, according to Christ, that which shews us our sins, which convinces us of the n, is the spirit of truth, the comforter ; that after we have mourned for our sins, which he convinces us of, then he comforts us with inward comfort and consolation. 2d. This comforter also convinceth us of our formal righteousness, when it is only formal, without the povv- er of Christ : and then the soul mourns after the life and power of godliness, which indeed is great gain, D dd ^8G SOME OBSERVATIONS ON with true contentment ; an 1 hutli the promise of the things of this life, and that ;ilso which is to come. And no hen- we are comforted !\v the spirit in the promise, in whivh we liavc faith to believe in Christ, and that he will veril)^ do as he halh promised. 3d. It also convinc- eth us of JLidi2;tikicnt, when we judge with a wrong judgement; and when we mourn for our mistake, he makes us sensible of this righteous judgement, which judges the prince of this world, who is judged by Christ; and then instead of mourning, we arc ready to sing with the saijits of old, " Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God, for true and righ- teous are his judgements, for he hath judged the great whore wiiieh did corrupt the earth with her fornications, and hath revenged the blood of his servants at her hands." 2d. The soul being truly in love with Christ, and he being absent from the soul in some sense ; or if he seem to stay a great while from it, although to try and prove the soul ; this makes us mourn greatly, like the spouse in the Canticles, who sets forth the beauty, and excel- lent pans, and comeliness, of her beloved, and all her sorrow is, he had withdrawn himself; and well may a soul be soriowful, when Christ spiritually withdraws himself. " The children of ihe bride chamber mourn in the bridegroorji's absence, but rcj^ ice in his presence," says Christ, who is the very perfection of beauty and holiness. But the soul abiding in his love, and seeking of him, and waiting for him, in his own due time he will certaiiily come to that soul ; for he is the truth who said, " Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." 3d. Again, pious souls cannot but mourn for the sins and abominations of the times, which is a great exercise to them, and affects them with sorrow and mourning ; but tlicy are comforted with blessed promises, which the Holy Ghost, at times and seasons, immediately ap- plies to their souls, as lecorded in the holy scripture; and let it be remembered, that all our good times and seasons are in the hands of the Lord. It is recorded in CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 38/ the holy scripture, that God would have his people spo- ken comfortably to ; Isa. xl. 1. And that he would " give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourn- ing, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heavi- ness; that they might be called trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isa. Ixi. 3. " Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Verse 5. Be not high-minded, saith one of his servants ; and another saith, God resisteth ihe proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Again, " The meek will he teach his way, and the meek will he guide in judgement ;" as the holy scripture witnesseth. So that well said our Holy Saviour, that the meek should be blessed: grace is given to them, and God is their teacher, and their guide in judgement ; a most blessed gift, teacher, and guide ; a great blessing indeed, to receive grace from Almighty God, to be taught his ways by him, and to have the Holy One to be our guide in judgem^ent. And he who has all power in heaven, and in earth, committed into his hand, says as above, that the meek " shall iniierit the earth :^' they have the rightest and truest enjoyment of all the things of this life ; whereas the proud and scornful are a burthen to themselves and others, and hardly any thing pleases them, or any thing good enough for them; when, on the other hand, the meek and con- tented mind hath (according to a good general maxim) a continual feast. ^' Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousnes ; for they shall be filled." Verse 6. Let it be remembered, that as our mortal bodies can- not enjoy health long, without a natural appetite to meat and drink, so our souls cannot live unto holiness with- out a spiritual hunger, and an inward thirst after the righteousness which Christ puts upon his saints : not by imputation only, but actually also. Such souls he will fill, as holy Mary witnessed, and bore her testimo- ny to the truth thereof, viz. " He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away," 388 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON When we are emptied of sin and self, then there is room for the Almighty to pour into us of his spirit. It u-e would fill any thing, it must first be empty ; so must we be empty, if we hunger and thirst after righteous- ness : truly, then shall we pray to our heavenly Futher for divine food, and it will be our meat and drink to do his will; and we shall delight to feed upon his word ; as Christ says, " Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'* This is the holy food for the soul, which nourishes and keeps it alive unto God : and without which it is dead, notwithstanding it may have the form and fashion of a living body. And as this hunger and thirst, or desire, must be spiritual, so must the food be also ; " It being the spirit that quickens," and gives life to the soul; wherefore let a spiritual hunger and thirst be in the soul after God, and his righteousness. A rigliteous soul being greatly athirst after the living Lord, cries out, *' As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so doth my soul after the living God." And this holy thirst was greatly satisfied, so that his heart was many times sweet- ly opened to praise the Lord. It is true we have an ad- versary, that would be filling us with many things, flesh- ly, worldly, and satanical : but we are to shut our hearts against him, and to keep out all those things, and to stand open to Christ, and empty before him. And if we find this our adversary too hard for us, we are to fly, and cry to the Lord for succour and help, who is a God not only afar oflf, but also near at hand, and a present help in the needful time, as many of his servants and children have experienced and witnessed him to be. Wherefore, to be hungry and thirsty after Christ and his righteous- ness, entitles us to his gracious promise, who says they shall be filled. " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mer- cy." Verse 7. It is highly necessary for mortaJs to shew mercy, in ill their words and actions one to another : and also to the creatures which God hath made for the use of man. It is usually said, that a merciful man is merciful to his beast, Christ's sermon on the mount. S89 which generally is true , and if men are merciful to their beasts, how much more ought they to be merciful one to another. Where mercy is to be extended, ii ought not to be done sparingly, since thereby (according to Christ's blessed doctrine) we are to obtain mercy. That servant who shewed no mercy to his fellow, had no me»cy showed unto him from his lord. It is also recorded, in the name of the Lord, " He hath shewn unto thee, O, man! what is good, that thou should do justly, love mer- cy, and walk humbly with thy God." By which it ap- pears that we are not just in the sight of God, if we are cruel and unmerciful one to another. And we ought not only to be merciful, but to love it. Which, if we are truly humble, we shall certainly do. Mercy will lessen, and not magnify weakness, failings, or small and trivial things one in another : and sometimes, as the case may require, some larger things : and yet there is room for seasonable reproof and correction : but mercy must be mixed with justice, else the correction may end in tyr- anny. We ought to be gentle to all men, which is a true token of true gentility : so to be truly merciful, is to be blessed, and to obtain mercy. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Verse 8. By which we may understand, that we arc to take care of our hearts ; and to keep a strict watch over them ; and not admit unclean or unchaste th( ughts, or sinful desires, to have an entrance therein. And if at una- wares they should at any time enter, we must not enter- tain nor love them, but turn them out; for we, in this, should be like our Heavenly Father, of purer eyes than to behold iniquity with any allowance or approbation : otherwise it will hinder us from seeing God, and from the sweet enjoyment of his most precious presence, and beholding the only begotten of the Father, and the ful- ness of his grace and truth, which we cannot see if our hearts are impure : an instance of which we have in the scribes and pharisees, though they were outwardly righ- teous and clean, yet widiin were very impure, so that tliey couid not see God, though he was in Christ recon- 390 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON ciling the world to himself: notwithstanding: their nice discerning eyes, yet they could not see him, for the impu- rity of their hearts ; which was so great, that they mur- dered the Just One, their hearts being full of deceit and hyprocrisy. " Make clean the inside, that the outside may be clean also," says Christ: from whence it appears, that a true christian must be clean, both within and with- out also. The true beginning of tlie work of purity and sanctity, must be first within ; and being innocent and pure in heart, we shall then see the glory of the Father, the lovely beauty of the Son, and the power of the Holy Ghost, or Spirit. " Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." Verse 9. This peace-making is excellent work, and a blessed calling ; what pity it is, ,that there is not such workmen in the world, who would set themselves heartily to it, which if they did, in a right spirit, God would certainly prosper the work in their hands, and plentifully reward them with his own peace, which passeth the common imderstanding of the natural man. If our ingenious men, our men and women of skill, and good natural parts, would take a little pains, nay, when the case requires it, a great deal, tlic Almighty v/ould riclily reward them. This work is not too mean even for princes and no!)Ies ; no, not even the greatest monarchs on earth, without it be too mean for them to be called the children of God. And if the children of God are peace- makers, what, and whose children are they, who break the peace of nations, communities and families ? wherefore, we should seek peace with all men, and ensue it, or sue for it, by our continual seeking of it, being a precious jewel, when found ; and though this office may seem a little unthank- ful in the beginning, or at first, yet in the end it brings forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, as many so la- bouring have witnessed. And Christ, to encourage the work, says, " They shall be called the children of God ;" which are words of the King of kings ; and if the princes of this world would promote this work among themselves, it would save a vast expense of treasure, and of blood ; Christ's sermon on the mount. 391 and as these peace-makers are to be called the children of God, they who are trul}' concerned herein, are not only so called, but are so indeed, and in truth. " Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteous- ness sake ; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Verse 10. Persecution may be considered in relation to calumny and reproach, and in imprisonments, confinements, or the like, or taking away life or goods on a religious ac- count, for conscientious scruples, &:c. What sad work hath there been on this account in the world, not among Turks and Jews only, but among professors of Christ and Christianity, which is indeed a great reproach to that holy name. Persecution for righteousness sake, is not fit for Turks or Jews, much less for the professors of our meek Lord ; his dispensation and gospel being absolutely the reverse of it, which is a shameful sin to all men, in all nations : but however, the persecuted have this comfort in the midst of all their sufferings, they are blessed of Christ their Lord ; who himself fuffered for them, and are promised by him the kingdom of heaven. By which doctrine, it may be safely concluded, that the members of his true church never persecuted any, though they have been often persecuted by many, as the large and voluminous books and tracts (of persecuting for religion) now extant, do plainly make apj)ear ; by which the eyes of many are open to see the ugliness of it ; and a spirit of moderation begins to grow and spring a little in the earth, in divers parts thereof. It were to be desired, that all christians' moderation might more and more increase, and might appear unto all men ; because God is at hand, who will justify the innocent (whom he knows better than any man, because he sees their hearts) and he will condemn none but the guilty. How shall the Jews be converted, or the Turks be convinced to, and of the verity of the christian religion, while its professors are tearing and rending one another to pieces : had it not been for the immoderation and per- secution among professors of Christ in Christendom, so called, it is probable Christianity would have made a far ;i9ii SOME OBSERVATIONS ON greater progress in the four quarters of the world lon^g^ before this time, than it hath now done. Persecution hath been proposed by the immoderate, to allay heals and divisions, and cure breaches ; but the ancient history of persecution, and the modern practice of it, fully convince us, that it hath always tended to make the hot, hotter, the divisions greater, and the breach wider, and so the con- tention to grow endless ; which nothing will end, but a calm and quiet temper of mind, the mind being cooled by the gentle influences of the Holy Spirit of Christ, the im- maculate Lamb ; who came not to destroy, nor devour, but to seek and to save that which was lost, and gone astray, that he might bring them home to his fold of rest, in his Father's kirgdom. " Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and perse- cute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake." Verse 11. "Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they the prophets, who were before you." Verse, 12. There is a persecution as before hinted, by calumny, and reproach, or reviling, by evil speaking, and falsities, which, for the most part, it is better patiently and quiet- ly to suffer for Christ's sake ; and if we are abused, to appeal to him, for many times words beget words, till at last it comes to prejudice, and breaks the unity and peace of brethren and families ; so that in a general way one had better suffer the calumnies and reproaches of evil men, with a tender concern for God's glory, resting iii the blessing of Christ, and that thou wilt most surely feel if thou canst appeal to him on this wise, " Lord, thou knowest 1 suffer this wrong for thy sake." In suck sufferings there is an inward joy, a spiritual rejoicing ; and the heart of the persecuted is abundantly more glad, through the blessing and goodness of Christ, than the persecutor, whose conscience accuseth him in secret. And as to personal persecution, it is no more than the prophets, and our Lord did suffer before us : and with that consideration Christ comforts his suffering seed : '^ Those who suffer with him and his seed, these have CliRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 395 ihe promise of reigning with him ;" and himself hath promised them a reward, no less than the kingdom of heaven. *' Ye are the salt of the earth : but if the salt hath lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men." Verse 13. Here Christ sheweth that his followers must season the earth, by living a savoury life, and by walking accord- ing to his doctrine, whose doctrine is wonderfully set forth in this excellent sermon ; and if we live up to those holy rules, we shall then be serviceable in our gen- eration, and our lives will teach the people as well as our words, and sometimes better too, !)y how much ex- ample is better than precept ; and indeed christians ought to be careful in both ; in life to live holy, and in words to be sparing, observing to " Let your words be few and savoury, and seasoned with grace, that they may administer grace to the hearers." Thus should we sea- son the world, and salt it with the salt of the covenant ; but if we lose this savour of grace, and take a liberty which Christ and his truth do not allow of, of speaking at random things which are not convenient nor edifving, but altogether unsavoury ; then, according to our mas- ter, which is in heaven, we are good for nothing, but to be cast out (i. e. out of the church), and then we shall be trampled upon by men, as in truth we deserve : not that our bodies are to be killed or destroyed ; for the door of the church is always open to receive ti'ue penitents. But for this end and good purpose we are chastened of the Lord, that the soul may be saved in the day of the Lord. And those who know godly sorrow for their sins, and turning from the evil of their ways, by amendment of life, those Christ forgives, and adviseth his church to do the same, saying, " If he repent forgive him ;" which re- pentance is best manifested by a new life, and holy and blameless conversation ; for words, without works, are good for nothing, but to be trodden under foot of men, E e e 394 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON " Yc are the lig-ht of the world : a city set on a hilt cannot be hid." Verse 14. True and faithiu) christians are indeed as stars in God's firmament, which are of excellent use to people in the night season, and more especially when they are not clouded, and in a ptirlicular manner to those who travel on the seas, for when they have not seen the sun for a season, then they are good guides to the senfaring man ; and likewise in the wilderness on the land ; and this world is like a wilderness, and like the troubled sea, to some poor souls ; and then good men, and good women, are serviceable, to reprove and instruct in rigiueousness : " Such (says Daniel the prophet) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars, for ever and ever." And these are like a city set upon a hill, which cannot be hid. *' Neither do men light a candle, and set it under a bushel ; but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house." Verse 15. Mortal men, when divinely enlightened by the grace and spirit of Christ, ought to exert themselves to their master's glory, and excite others, and stir them up to their duty ; and to endeavour, as much as in them lies, to pro- mote the kingdom and interest of our dear Lord ; for men are God's candles, as the scripture saith, " The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord ;" and this candle is often lighted by Christ, who " Lightcth every man that cometh into the world." John i. 9. and is the true light of the great Father of lights. The great and good end of Christ's lighting man's spirit, and illuminating him with divine light, is, that he may shine out to others, in a good conversation, and a holy life, \\hich is both ser- viceable to others, and himself also ; and*answers the end of him who enlightened him by the fire of his word, or with a coal from his holy altar ; being thus lighted and walking in it (as the nations of them that are saved, shall walk in the light of the Lamb.) Here all the house, or society, i& truly lighted by such lights ; and those who have received greater gifts, or degrees of divine light from 'Christ, than some others, and may have a larger share of CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 395 natural or acquired parts, ought not to " Hide it (as our Lord phrases it) under a bushel, but put it (in its proper place, or) on a candlestick ;" and as ihe candle is of lit- tle use when it is put out, therefore we ought to be very cartful to keep to vvatchfuli ess and prayer, that it be kept lighted in time of darkness ; for " The candle of the wicked is often put out." " Let 30ur light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Verse 16. Since there is a bright and shining nature and quality m the holy lives of Christ's servants, and in the conversa- tion of his faithful followers, therefore it should and ought to be manifest, and to appear before mt^n ; our lamp should be burning, and our light shining ; and we should take care to keep holy oil in our vessels, that therewith our lamps may be supplied, otherwise folly in- stead of wisdom will appear in our conversations, M'hich will be a hindrance (when our great bridegroom cometh) to our entrance into life, or God's kingdom, and greatly hindereth our Master's glory, which by all means we are to endeavour the furtherance of : and men generally take more notice of our evil works, and, when an evil eve is open, will sooner see them, than our good ones ; so that we had need to be very careful, and keep a holy watch in our conversations, that our light may so shine, as that our Father who is in heaven may be glorified, in our bring- ing forth much good fruit. " Think not that I am come to destroy the law or prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Verse 17. " For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall in no wise pass from ihe law, till all be fulfilled." Verse 18. The excellency of the dispensation of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ is really wonderful ! having no manner of tendency toward destioying the law of God given by Moses ; for Christ's doctrine comes up through it, fulfils it, and goes beyond it, in perfection, and in the beauty of holiness, and in the life and power of pure religion. 396 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON " The law, (saith the apostle) is a schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ;" and no man can come truly to Christ, nor be in him, or be a new creature, without coming through the law, and keeping the command- ments ; but these commandments are to be distinguish- ed from the superstitious traditions, and ceremonious customs of the Jews. The scribes and pharisees (who though they sat in Moses' seat) did not do as Moses did; but crucified him whom Moses prophesied of, saying, " The Lord your God shall raise up a prophet from •among your brethren, like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken." Christ and his disciples teach the law, though not the traditions of the Jews ; who were very careful of their small tithes, of their own interest, though but of, or in small things, neglecting the weighty matters of the law, which is in no wise to be passed by, but to be ful- filled while heaven and earth endure. Now the law and commandments which our I^ord spoke of, are generally understood to be those ten com- mandments recorded in the 20th chapter of Exodus, with other absolute conmiands written by Moses (distinguish, ed from the Jews traditions) and such as were general to mankind : for Christ is the general Saviour, both of the Jews, and also of the gentiles, who believe in, and obey him : and that those commandments may the more be minded, and taken notice of, and imprinted in people's thoughts, they are here, in part, transcribed out of the 20th chapter of Exodus. " I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. III. Thou shalt not take the jiame of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takcth his name in vain. IV. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. V. Honour thy father and thy mother : that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Christ's sermon on the mount. 39r VI. Thou shalt not kill. VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VIII. Thou shalt not steal. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, nor his wife, nor his man-servtmt, nor his maid- servant, nor his ox, nor his ass; nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." All which our holy Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled in his own person, and taught it to the people, as this his most holy sermon will witness abundantly : and all who pro- fess his great name, must, and ought to teach the same. " Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called the kast in the kingdom of heaven ; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Verse 19. Here we are strictl}^ enjoined, as we value our reputa- tion in heaven, both to do, and to teach, the command- ments, and law of Moses ; though not the ordinances, commandments, or traditions, of the scribes. Now the scribes and pharisecs taught divers good things in words, as we understand by Christ, " But (says he) be ye not like unto them ; for they say, and do not:" example being often of more force and power than precept : they might have said as some of our modern scribes do, to the people, " You must not do as we do ; but do as we say :" but, according to Christ, this will not serve their turn ; for he shuts the gates of heaven against all them (and all such) though his own hearers, as in the next verse. " For I say unto you, except your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter the kingdom of heaven." Verse 20. Those scribes and pharisees had a righteousness, but it was one of their own making, an outside one only ; whereas, within they were full of deceit and hypocrisy ; they cried up righteousness in words, and yet cried out against him who taught it in the greatest purity, and sought his destruction ; they were notable examples to all persecutors for religion. Our Lord, and his servants, 398 SOME OBSRRVATIONS Oy (lid not, nor do not, speak against outward holiness, so as tlie inside be the same ; for a Hving man hath both inside and out ; so has Hving righteousness an inward and out- ward purity, which is manifest by its fruit ; and those fruits are fruits of the sjnrit, which are, " Love, meek- ness, temperance, patience, experience, hope, and cha- rity or brotherly love;" of which those people shewed very little to Christ ; he was very sensible of their envy and malice, which were very contrary fruits to holiness ; and therefore he tells them that hear him, that their *' Righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and pharisees, or they in no case shall enter the kingdom of heaven." " Ye ha-s e heard that it was said by them of old time. Thou shalt not kill ; and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the j udgement : ' ' Verse 21. " But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judge- ment ; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council ; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Verse 22. Here we may learn that the law j^rovided ' nothing against anger, only in this case, against shedding of blood ; and many times if anger is too much kindled, it sets the soul on fire of hell, if it be not timely quenched. People, as it grows hotter, call one another out of their names, and take the name of the Lord in vain, break the third commandment, swearing by him, and cursuig of men : we may plainly see by Christ's doctrine, that the first degree of anger (without cause) is dangerous ; but the second is very dangerous. Soft words from a sedate mind will wonderfully help in this case : it is not easily conceived what a mighty advantage satan hath upon one that is angry without a caus& : and we are often apt to think "\ve have cause when we have none at all ; and then we make work for repentance, without which we are in danger of hell fire. Wherefore every true christian ought to watch against the evil of anger ; and yet there may be anger (where there is real cause) without sin. Christ's sermon on thk mount. 39^ ** Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought agaiubt thee." Verse 23. " Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and of- fcr thy gift." Verse 24. The cliristian religion admits of no malice nor guile ; the worship of it is in spirit and truth, and love, without hypocrisy, without deceit or hatred : if ^ve come to the altar, this will hinder our acceptance. Though we may indeed have a gift, we are to seek reconciliation, and not say, let him come to me, I will not go to him ; but Christ tells us we must go to him ; and if thou go to the offended, in a meek and christian spirit, and seek reconciliation, if thy brother will not be reconciled, if the fault be in him, thou hast done thy duty, and thy gift will be received, and Christ will manifest himself to thee by his grace and spirit. But }'ct art thou to seek for peace, he having ordained it, and laid it as a duty incumbent on thee. " Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him : lest at any time the adversary de- liver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the ©fficer, and thou be cast into prison." Verse 25. '* Verily I say unto tliee, thou shalt by no means come ©ut thence, till thou hi.st paid the uttermost farthing." Verse 26. It is plain from hence, that Jesus is for a quick and speedy end to differences; says he "Agree with hi ni (juickly ;" for it is of dangerous consequence to let dis- agreements lay long, it eats like a canker, and it destroys the very nature of religion. Personal differences are a great hurt to families, to churches, and to nations, and countries, especially when espoused by parties ; then what rending, tearing, and devouring work it makes : wherefore take Christ's council, and agree quickly ; and if the difference be on the account of debt, as is often likely, if the debt be just, it is better to offer up one's self and all that he has in the world, thaii to stand out with one's adversary, till it come to the utmost extremity ; and 400 SSME OBSERVATIONS ON for christians to go to law one with anotlicr, is conti'ary to the apostle's advice ; and oftentimes the gainer of the cause, loses by going to law ; so that it is good to agree quickly ; it being profitable so to do, both spiritually and naturally. " Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery :" Verse 27. '' But I say unto you, whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Verse 28. The law was against adultery; but the gospel is against lust ; and where there is no lust, there can be no adul- tery ; for then the occasion of adultery is taken away ; and the cause being taken away, the effect of course ceas- eth. Behold the chaste and pure doctrine of Christ, and his holy dispensation, greatly^ excelling the law^, or Mo- saic dispensation ! Our blessed Saviour doth not admit of an unchaste or lustful looking upon women ; much less of immodest salutations, touches, embraces, or dis- courses, which all tend to beget lust in the hearts of men; and lust conceived, brings forth sin ; and sin when fin- ished, brings forth death to the soi^. " And if thine right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body" should be cast into hell." Verse 29. " And if thy right hand ofliendthee, cut it off, and cast it from thee ; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that tliy whole body should be cast into hell." Verse 30. Christ compares the sinful lusts and inclinations, which are the cause of men's destruction, and their being cast into hell, to a right eye, or a right hand (two of the most useful and serviceable members of the body), not that he intended that we should cut off our natural members, but that we should cut off these sinful lusts, and cast them from us, though they were as a right eye, or hand. Now, observe, it is very much against nature, and very pain- ful to pull out an eye, or cut off a hand ; so sin, of many kinds, is very agreeable to nature, or the natural man. CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 401 tmd it is very hard for him to part with it ; he pleads the use of it, and when Christ, the ph3'sician of the soul, comes to put his incision knife to it (which is his word) poor man is too apt to fly from it, and to shrink from under its holy stroke : the holy baptist, John, under- standing our Lord's doctrine, and being sensible of the powerful working of Christ's word and spirit, says, " Now is the ax laid to the root of the trees, therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire ;" which fire is nothing less than hell, which, without repentance, and amendment of life, will be our portion. "It hath been said, whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement." Verse 31. " But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery : and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced, committeth adultery." Verse 32. The great husband of souls here plainly sheweth that husbands should be tender to then- wives ; and his apos- tle says, " Be not bitter against them." Men and their wives ought to live together in love, and be good ex- amples to their children and servants ; and not part one from another, except for the cause of fornication ; and that should be proved ; for some men are only jealous of their wives, and some without a cause; and where there is cause, as a man may think, it ought to be clearly proved before they part from one another : a man ought to be tender of his wife, as of his own body ; "for they two are one flesh." Men and their wives are often too apt to magnify one another's faults, and to put the worst construction upon each other's words and actions, when they differ, which widens breaches, instead of healing them : whereas love and true charity, and putting tlie best, and not the worst construction on things, would chase away wrath, strife, and hatred; and though Mo- ses gave the Jews that permission of divorcement, for the hardness of their hearts; yet christians ought to live so, that there should be no need of it amongst them. Fff 402 '' SOME OPSKRVATIONS ON And IF cliristians do part upon the account of fornica- tion (for thty are not permitied to part on any other ac- count by Christ, as above) they are to marry no more, while each other live ; for if they do, they are pronounc- ed by Christ, to be adulterers and adulteresses. " Again ye have heard, that it hath been said by them cf old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths." Verse 33. '* But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by hea- ven, for it is God's throne :" Verse 34. " Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool : neither by Je- rusalem, for it is the city of the great king." Verse S5. " Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black." Verse 36» "But let your comniunicntion be yea, yea ; nay, nay ; for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil." Verse 37. It was allowed to the Jews to vow to the Lord, and swear by his name, provided they perform their vows and oaths. But here our Lord prohibits and disallows, or abolishes all swearing, with an " I say unto you, swear not at all." Though our swearing christians will have it, that he here prohibits only vain swearing, or common swearing, which cannot be, because the oaths he here speaks of were solemn, and to the Lord. And the apos- tle James tells us, " We must not swear by any oath." Neither did the primitive christians swear at all ; and christians ought to be so just in their conversations, as that their solemn words or promises would give them credit without any need of oaths. If occasion or need be, thou hast liberty to add yea to thy yea, and nay to thy nay, or soiemn words equivalent to it ; and if more be evil, it must also be evil to require more, and that it is evil if it be more (as all vows and oaths are) we have Christ for our author, a good foundation to build upon. " Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." Verse 38. " But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil : but who- soever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other abo." Verse 39. Christ's sermon on the mount. 40i " And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have , thy. cloak also." Verse 40. There was room and libeilyj by the law of Moses for a man to revenge hinis^if, it. he had an injury done to him ; but Christ teacheth patient suffering ; we are not to give any offence, but we are to take them quietly for his sake, in which Jesus was an excellent example to us, whose sufferings were not for himself, but for us ; he turned his cheek to the smiter, and his face to those that plucked off the hair : but to a nun of courage and choler, this indeed is no small cross ; but he must deny himself, and take up Christ's cross daily, and follow him, if he will be his disciple : and as for the law, it is better never to meddle with it, in a general way ; and if thy coat by law is taken away, thou hadst better give him thy cloak, than stand out anothi^r trial with him : and it is much if thou art not a gainer by so doing. But the gain is not urged as the best motive : but obedience to Christ, our great Lord, and good master ; who said, " If ye love me, keep my commandments." " And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Verse 41. It can hardly be supposed that any would take the pains to force or violently compel a man to go a mile with him, unless upon some extraordinary occasion : but many times through over persuasion, or much invitation, one may be in that sense compelled to do that which one is not inclined to, and in such case, we are to be liberal in answerinsj the love and good will of our friend, so compelling us : for love begets love, and cannot easily be withstood, as in the parable of the wedding, or mar- riage supper ; they were to be compelled to come to it ; we are not to understand by outward constraint, or cru- elty, but by the force and power of love ; divine love has a great power, and is of a compelling nature, according to this distinction, atid consideration ; and then we should be unkind, and ungrateful, if we did not answer with suitable returns. " Gi\'e to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away." Verse 42. 404 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON We are here to suppose the asker to be in real want and necessity, and the borrower also to stand in need, and the asked to be in a capacity, and of abiUty to sup- ply and assist the asker, and borrower ; and then in such Ciise we are by no means to refuse to give to him thi^ asketh, nor to turn away from him who would borrow of us, and if we are not in a capacity to supply, then to use mild and friendly expressions ; for christians should be courteous and kind to all, and particularly to the distressed. And if we think the askers or borrow- ers are not worthy or deserving for their own sakes, we should, if need be, give and lend for Christ's sake, and in obedience to him, though it cross our own inclina- tions. " Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy." Verse 43. " But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you." Verse 44. " That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, for he nnaketh his sun to rise upon the evil, and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just, and on the unjust." Verse 45. The Hebrews had liberty to hate their enemies, but we have not understood that ever any people, by any dispensation, had any liberty to hate their neighbours or friends: so that those who arc in that state, are far be- yond the line of truth. But, says our holy Lawgiver, *' I say unto you, love your enemies." If we love our enemies, we can in no wise destroy them, although it were in our power. Again, " Bless them that curse you." But, alas ! how apt are men (and even those, who would think it hard to be told they are disobedient to Christ), to render railing for railing, and cursing for cursing, instead of blessing. (Do good to them who hate you.) If we are sensible of any body who hates us, and have real demonstration of it (for sometimes we imagine it, when it is not so), yet are we to do them all the good turns we can. (And pray for them who 4e,- CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 405 spitefully use you, and persecute you.) Thus we are not to n nder evil lor evil, but to overcome the evil with that which is good. Sweet was our Lord's example to us in this, when he said, " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." If spiteful persecutors did really know what they do, when they persecute the just, their damnation must needs be very great ; but if we do good for evil, as Christ hath taught, then are we the children of our heavenly Father, " Who maketh his sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just, and on the unjust." " For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" Verse 46. " And if ye salute your brethren only, what do vou more than others? do not even the publicans so ?" Verse 47. Our virtue is much more shining in loving those who do not love us, than in loving those who do ; and it is natural for us to love them who love us, and we should be ungrateful if we did not ; but the reward is greater, if we love them who do not love us, which must be manifested in deeds, as well as words : for saying and doing sometimes are two things, which made the apos- tle say, " Our love must not be with word, and with tongue only, but in deed and in truth." Also publicans (men by the Jews ranked v/ith sinners, when they said, he eateth with publicans and sinners), they do so. i. e. love those who love them. And as to friendly and hearty salutations, that may be necessary or needful, we should not only manifest them to our brethren, but as occasion requires to all, it being a shining virtue in christians to be kind to stran- gers, and to shew forth a generous and loving temper and deportment to such as may not be of us ; though not by a flattering, modish, or complimental way, yet hearty and respectful, according to the plainness of Christ, and the simplicity of his gospel, without respect of persons, respect being generally, or too generally, shown to high, more than to them of low degree. As we are not to refuse our friendly salutations to the great, 406 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON or the rich, so we are not to neglect the poor, lor the pubUcans do so. " Be ye there lore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perLct." Verse 48. Clirist would have us to be perfect in the practice of his doctrine, and to live up to it in perfect obedience, according to the best of our judi^ements and understand- ings, and not to do his work by halves, but honestly and perfectly, according to the measure of grace receiv- ed, some have received twice, some thrice so much as some others, as the parable of talents plainly showeth : So that what discoveries or manifestations of grace, light, or truth, we have received, we ought to walk up to them perfectly ; " Even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." As the Aimlghty is perfect in his love, justice, mercy, grace, and truth, unto poor mor- tals, in Christ Jesus, his only begotten, and in all his works ; so ought we to be perfect in our known duty : as it is written, " Ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." So must we be according to our de- gree of grace received. It is supposed that no body will imagine that any mor- tal can come up in degree with the Almighty, but ac- cording to our measure, gift, and degree of grace re- ceived, we are to be holy and perfect, as God, our heav- enly Father, and Christ, our dear Lord, are so in ful- ness. *' Take heed that yc do not your alms before men, to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." Chap. vi. verse 1. '' Therefore when thou dost thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the syna- gogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men : verily I say unto you, they have their reward." Verse 2. " But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth :" Verse 3. " That thine alms may be in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly." Verse 4. CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 407 The christian reliction, in its purity, according to the doctrine of the founder of it, is a compassionate religion, and full of pity, as well as piety. It is a holy composi- tion of charity, and goodness. I'he apostle thus de- scribes it ; " The pure religion, and that which is unde- filed before God and the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless, and widows, in their afiiiction ; and to keep himself unspotted from the world." This is pure relig- ion, and this is the christian religion : happy are those who walk up to it, and live according to the precepts of him who dictated them ; then the wido'.vs and the father- less would not be neglected : the poor would be very generously taken care of, and our garments kept clean, and all done as secretly as may be. For when we pro- claim our alms-deeds, and charity, we lose our reward from our heavenly Father. Also when alms is given it ought to be done in the spirit of love and meekness, and so received ; else the receiver loses a second benefit, and the giver his heavenly reward. To give to the poor is to lend to him that made us, and we shall have good and greater measure returned us again. If we hope to have the gates of Christ's kingdom opened to us at last, our hearts must also be opened to the poor and needy, when in distress : remembering the words of Christ, where he says to some who were waiting for, and wanting an en- trance into the kingdom, saying, " Lord, Lord, open unto us ;" he tells them, " 1 was hungry, and ye gave me no meat ; I was naked and ye clothed me not. I was sick, and in prison, and yc visited me not." They answered, " Lord, when saw we thee hungry, naked, sick, or in prison, and did not feed thee, clothe thee, and visit thee ?" He answers, " In as much as ye did it not to one of these which believe in my name, ye did it not to me." He sympathiseth with his poorest and meanest members, whatever others do, and takes that done to them, as done to himself, whether it be good or bad. We should be good to all, but especially to Christ's members, or the household of the faithful keep- ers of his commandments : and alms-deeds have the ap- probation of goodness from tlic universal testimony of 408 SOME OiiSP:RVAT10N3 ON all men, In a general way. Our alms being thus distrib- uied aeeording to our abilit\ , and the neeessilies ol the object, without ostentation, and in secret, our niunifi- cent Father, who sees in secret, will openly reward us. How many rich men are there in the world, who have miide great and costly entertainments for their rich friends, neighbours, and relations (and if their substance be so great, that it is not felt by them, they had the more need to remember the poor); when they never so much as spare the tithe of it to them, though the poor liave ten times the need of it, and though Christ says, " When thou makest a feast, invite not thy rich friends, for they will invite thee agiiin ; but call the poor, the lame, and the blind," &c. " And vvhen thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hvpocrites are, for they love to pray standii.g in the syn- agogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men ; verily I say unto you, they have their reward." Verse 5. " But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet;, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Verse 6. " But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking." Verse 7. " Be not ye therefore like unto them ; for your Fa- ther knoweth what things ye have need of before you ask him." Verse 8. Prayer is absolutely necessary for the being and well- being of an inward reformed christian ; an outside for- mal christian may use the form, though unreformed ; but it availeth little without reformation. And private prayer, according to Christ's rule, is effectual and re- wardable, agreeable to his doctrine. He also speaks against hypocrisy, and loving to be seen of men, witli a command not to be like unto them. " But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet." When we feel, and are sensible of a divine call, this must of course be the right and best time (for Christ has not set us a dis- <:HRIST's sermon on the MOUNt. 4019 tinct hour), then we are to enter into the closet of an humble heart or mind, or some secret place in private. This is Christ's order for particular persons in a general way ; but is not intended to prevent such who are rightly concerned to pray in the public assemblies, or gathering of the church; for we have Christ for our example, who prayed openly and publicly with his disciples. " But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathens do ; for they think to be heard for their much speaking." Formal repetitions of prayer, repeated day by day, when they are not according (but contrary) to tiic states of tliose to whom they are read or repeated, must needs be vain, and people may vainly make use of the Lord's own form in that case (though it is the best in the world), and to think to be heard for their much speak- ing, is to run into the error of the heathen. " Be not ye (says Christ) therefore like unto them ; for your Fa- ther knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Prayer is a gift from God, and from Christ, and as we wait on God in Christ's name and power, he will give us that gift, when he sees we stand in need of it, or it will be for our edification. For he has promised to pour out the spirit of prayer, and of supplication, upon his people. And our great apostle said, *' If he prayed, he would pray with the spirit." In another place he says, " We know not what we should pray for, as we ought ; but the spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered." Likewise the same apostle says, *' The spirit also helpeth our infir- mities." Those had not found out the way of reading prayers unto the people in common, neither of making of them ; though it will be acknowledged that it had as much of the mind of Christ, as any of our modern prayer makers or sayers ; and since there is no form like that of Christ's, it is here set down, that people might take diligent care to learn it, and to teach it to their children. But if they learn it rightly, they must also learn to live in it: that is, live according to it ; other- wise they will mock, instead of serving him, who made 410 SOME OBSERVATIONS Ol/ both it and them for his own honour, and the glory of his name. " Alter this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Verse 9. *' Thy kingdom eome : thy will be done in eardi, as it is in heaven." Verse 10. " Give us this day our daily bread." Verse 11. " And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debt- ors." Verse 12. " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ; for thine is the kiiigdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." Verse 13. " For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heav- enly Father will also forgive you." Verse 14. " But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither Avill your Father forgive your trespasses." Verse 15. A short form, and but few words, but of excellent composition. And truly happy are those, who live so in their conversation, that they may, when they use them, do it without falsehood, or deceit ; enjoying the answer of peace in the practice of them, and the sense of grace influencing the soul. 1st. " Our Father who art in heaven." The great Creator is indeed our Universal Father, hath made us all, and all nations, of one blood ; but there is another, a nearer relation than this, to be a child of God by re- generation ; for otherwise, if we live in an unregenerate state, in our natural sms and lusts, all which are of satan, then Christ says, " Ye are of your father the devil ; and the lusts of your father ye will do;'' a strong reason ; but in another place, " Whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." It is into this rela- tion that the soul ought to come, that can truly and re- ligiously say, " Our Father," he. 2d. " Hallowed be thy name." Do we sanctify the holy name of the God of the whole earth ? Do we re- ligiously observe to fear and serve him ? Do we pro- fune his awful name, by taking it in vain, and living CHRIST*S SERMON ON THE MOUNT, 411 in sin and vanity ? Which, instead of hallowing and sanctifying his name, is to dishonour and reproach it on our part, though he will hallow and honour his own name in justice and judgemei.t, on profane and ungodly livers, at the last day, when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead by Jesus Christ ; God will not be mocked ; such as every one sows, such shall they reap, Tvhether sin unto death, or righteousness unto life. 3d. "Thy kingdom come." His kingdom is a king- dom of righteou sness. Happy souls! who seek the right- eousness of it betimes, and continue in it to the end. If this kingdom come, satan's (which is a kingdom of sin and unrighteousness) must needs fall. Oh ! that the rising generation might be strong to overcome the wicked one, and to be instruments to pull down his kingdom, and promote the kingdom of God, and his Christ ; and if we do not believe that sa- tan's poMx^r and kingdom may and ought to be destroyed in us, how can we pray without hypocrisy for the com- ing of God's holy kingdom ? Believing we must live and die in sin, is a great support to satan's kingdom, and a great hindrance of the coming of the kingdom of the dear Son of God. 4th. " Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Most certainly the will of God is punctually and per- fectly done in heaven : hardly any who makes use of this blessed form but believes it; but this is the misery of many souls, to believe it not possible for them to do God's will here on earth, as it is done in heaven. So that such pray in unbelief, or without a true faith ; as the apostle says, " What is not of faith is sin." Is it not also a kind of charging Christ with commanding that which cannot be done ? It is worthy our sedate consideration. He hath sown grace, and ought in jus- tice to reap it .from all mortals. The great sower, Christ, sows in all sorts of men or grounds : the grace of God appears to all men; and teaches them to deny ungodli- ness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, and righteously, and godly, in the present world. But antichrist teaches, that it cannot be done here on earth as in heaven. 412 "S©ME OBSERVATIONS ON 5th. " Give us this day our daily bread." We not being capable, without his blesshig, of procuring our bodies or souls bread, either natural or supernatural ; and because our souls cannot live without the last, no more than our bodies without the first, therefore we ought to pray to our heavenly and most holy Father for both, without doubting : and this should be done daily, either in words, holy sighing, or spiritual groans, the Almighty knowing the language of the soul in the one, as well the other. 6th. " Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.'* Or, as one of the evangelists hath it, " Our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us :" which is to the same end and purpose. For if a debtor is indebt- ed to us, and happens, through some accident or other, to be insolvent, and hath not wherewith to pay, we are to forgive him, else how can we expect God to forgive us. For we are all his debtors, and have nothing (that we can call our own, in a religious way) to pay that great debt, which we owe to him, our mighty creditor ; who might lawfully cast us into an eternal jail. But, Oh ! his infinite mercy and love is very great to us, poor mor- tals : and he would have us to imitate him, and forgive one another, as we expect he should forgive us. And since oiFences and trespasses Avill come, we must for- give, and the more freely, when the person offending sues, by humble petition, to the offended for it. Then if we forgive not, neither will our heavenly Father for- give us our trespasses. 7th. " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil ; for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." That is to lead us into truth and righteousness, which is the same with leading us out of sin, and out of temp- tation : for we pray to be led out of it, by praying not to be led into it : seeing we are not to understand that the Almighty will tempt any man to evil. " If (says the apostlej any man is tempted, let him not say that he is tempted of God, for God tempteth no man, but he is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust." CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 413 Though he doth sometimes permit and suffer us to be tempted, and when we fall into divers temptations, and eseape them, we have cause to be joyful, and thankful that we are delivered out of them, and to give the glory to God, who is the great preserver of men : whose " is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ;^ver. Amen." *' Moreover, when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast ; verily, I say unto you, they have their rewaid." Verse 16. " But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face." Verse 17. " That thou appear not unto men to fast, but imto thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Verse 18. Christ would have all our works of piety, virtue, and charity, all our religious duties, done in the divine love, and filial fear of God, and not for vain glory, or osten- tation : and truly, without we expect our reward from men, there is no need of an outward, hypocritical show, in such extraordinary duties, as that is of fasting, when truly called to it, and truly performed ; which the Jews were much in the practice of : but being formal hypo- crites (many of them) in it, our Lord reprehends them, and warns his own hearers to shun the like deceit ; and tells them, if they fast secretly, their heavenly Father will reward them openly : yet we must not be open sin- ners, nor private ones neither : for open or public sin is damniiig, if not repented of, and forsaken, as well as private deceit. " Lay not up for yourslves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." Verse 19. " But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Verse 20. " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Verse 21. 414 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON Earthly treasures are very apt to take up tlie mind, and to draw it from licavcn, and because Christ would have his childrm to be in heaven with him, in tender love he adviseih them not to lay up for themselves riches or treasure on earth. If it be said we lay it up for our children, it may be said also, it is the same snare for them, as to the parents, and sometimes a greater ; and when it is gotten, it is liable to many casualties, and creates a great deal of care and trouble ; wherefore Christ tenderly adviseth to seek after, and lay up an- other treasure, of another nature, in another, a safer and better place, which will not be liable to the like casualties of the former treasure and place, and urgetli us to it, w ith this great reason ; " For where your treas- ure is, there will your hearts be also." Oh ! may every true christian's treasure and heart be there forever. *' The light of the body is the eye, if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." Verse 22. " But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness : if therefore the light which is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." Verse 23. It is not good to look on men nor things with an evil eye ; but singly to look on one's self and others, in the fear of God, having a single and singular eye to his glory ; and then being enlightened by his divine light, we shall discern between good and evil ; whereas if there be any double dealings, or looking or thinking ; or if ungodly self be in the bottom, and not the glory of God ; then our light is turned into darkness, and that darkness will be very great ; as it is said in the holy scriptures, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways : so that our Saviour's doctrine is good ; to have a single eye, and to avoid all double dealing. " No man can serve two masters ; for he will either hate the one and love the other ; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other : ye cannot serve God and mammon." Verse 24. We cannot give our hearts to God, and to this world, and the things of it also, so as to set our affections pji CHRIST^S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 415 both, as saith the apostle, " If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." And again, " The love of money is the root of all evil ;' i. e. the inordinate love of it, seeking after it, and serving of, and for it, more than for our Maker and Saviour. Then let us des- pise the world and the things of it, in comparison of our God, and our Saviour. We do not understaiid by those words of Christ, that he intended to debar us from seek- ing a comfortal:)le accommodation for ourselves and fam- ilies, in this world ; but that we should not set our hearts and affections upon it j for we cannot equally affect both heaven and earth. *' Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on : is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment ?" Verse 25. " Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, nei- ther do they reap, nor gather into barns ; yet your heav- enly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they ?" Christ would have us without anxious thoughts about Gur livings in this world, i. e. about our eating, drink- ing, and cloathhig, and tells us, " That the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment;" by which he shows us, that he which gave the life, will, by his prov- idence, supi)ort it ; and as he hath formed the body, he Avill form that M^hich must feed it ; and that we might the more depend upon God's providence, he brings us to learn, or teaches us by the fowls of the air, who nei- ther sow nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet their great Creator feedeth them ; and asks, if we are not muck better than they ? So that we being more noble crea- tures, need not doubt of the care and providence of God, and his blessing on the labour of our hands ; though our hearts are not concerned unnecessarily about it, but we have freely given them to God, and his Christ, our Saviour. " Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature," Verse 27. 416 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON The farmers or planters cannot by their thoiightful- ness cause their corn, fruits, or cattle, to multiply or grow ; nor the tradesman his custom, goods, or business (without a proper application, which our Saviour is not against only he would have us without an incumbered and over-caring mind.) The merchant likewise, by all his thoughtfulness, cannot bring home his ship from far, nor carry her safe to her desired port. All things on this wise are in the hands of Almighty God, and it is our duty to trust in him, and to depend upon his divine prov- idence, for meat, drink, and cloathing, for happiness here, and hereafter, forever. " And why take ye thought for raiment ? consider the lilies of the field how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin." Verse 28. " And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these." Verse 29. " Wherefore if God so clothes the grass of the field, which to day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you. Oh! ye of little faith." Verse 30. " Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall \vq be clothed?" Verse 51. " (For after all these things the gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Verse 32. Many people now, as well as tlien, are very fond of their clothing, and love to be gay and fashionable therein, and some are not a little proud of their clothes, and are not a little thoughtful how they may deck themselves to be admired : when our plain Lord, who wore a vesture without a seam, sends us to the lily to consider her beau- ty and glory, and innocent tiioughtlessness, declaring, that Solomon, in all his grandeur and splendour, was not arrayed like one of these : for this is a natural sweetness and gaiety the lily is clad with ; but Solomon's (as is also most men's and women's) is generally but artificial : well, if God so clothe the grass of the earth, will he not Christ's sermon on the mount. 417 clothe us ; if we believe not, we must have but very little true faith. So that it would be much better for us to consult how we shall do to please God, and honour him, and his Holy Son, and divine name, than to consult what we shall eat or drink, or how, or wherewith we shall be clothed, which things the gentiles sought after, more than after God. But we, knowing that our heavenly Fa- ther seeth that we have need of all these things, should chiefly leave it to him, and first seek his kingdom and righteousness. " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his right- eousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Verse 33. " Take therefore no thought for the morrow : for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself : suf- ficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Verse 34. Here is a glorious gospel promise ; upon seeking the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, all these things shall be added to us, viz. meat, drink, and raiment, the necessary things that we want, to su]iport us in these lower regions, or while we are here in this world ; but then, withal, let us remember it must be our first work, it must be the chief desire of our souls ; it must be first in several senses ; first, as to our young and tender years ; first, in the morning of every day ; first, in respect of, and before all other things ; first, as it hath pleased God to give us a being in this world, and being in the prime and flower of our years, we should then devote our souls to God, and his work and service, and enter into cove- nant with him, with full purpose of heart, and design of soul to keep the same truly and inviolably ; for it would be better not to make a covenant, than to make it and break it ; neither should we slight or put off* the work of God till we are old, and in our declining years ; as though we give him the refuse, and broken end of our days, and conclude, it will better become me when I am old to serve him : Oh, no! learn the fear of God truly, and practise it when thou art young, and thou wilt not easily depart from it when thou art old : as thou wilt find it hard to get into a holy life and conversation, when thou hast Hhh 418 SOME onsi RVAT10N3 ON been bpciulinf^ thy Aoulh in vanity and folly : " Remem- ber thy Civator therefore in the cUn s of thy } outh, before the evil day come." Tlie autumn of man's years is here in divers respects called the evil day : Oh! it is exceed- ing sMTct and ]:)recious to see and be sensible of an inno- cent life, and modest, sober conversation in youth ; when they are in their bloom inp^, flowery years, to be scented with grace and truth, must needs be affecting. When youtlis are laden with the fruits of grace, and of the holy spirit, how pleasant is the taste of it ; it generally relishes Avell \\'ith all men, and naturally brings praise to God, as well as peace to the soul. May the youth of this present generation, as also generations to come, be such holy plants, that God's right hand may be seen in planting them : when after being fruitful, and doing the work aiid service of their dav, and answering' the noble end of God in making and planting them here in this world, they may be trans})lanted into the eternal kingdom of heaven ; which, doubtless, they will, who first seek his kingdom, and the righteousness of it. 2d. If we consider that our life and being is daily granted to us, and we supported by the goodness and providence of Almighty God every day, it is but just that he should have the first or prime of our thoughts, in the morning of the day ; and he (being the first and the last) ought to be last, as well as the first in our thoughts, also in the evening. The royal psalmist saith *' If I prefer not Jerusalem before my chiefcst joy, then let my right hand forget its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ;" much more ought we to prefer our Creator to all things, and to have our thoughts on him, first and foremost in all things, and every day. 3d. For what are the things of this world in comparison of those that are to come, all these are fading and tran- sitory ; but the things of that which is to com.e, are du- rable, and permanent ; and therefore ought to be first and chief in our minds. That which is chief in our hearts, may be said to have the first place there ; " One thing (says a servant of God) have I desired, and that will Christ's sermon on the mount. 412 I seek after, that I might dwell in the house of God all the days of my life." This was the first or prime thing, which he and we were, and are to seek for, and after. As for the morrow, we need not be too thoughtful or anxious concerning or about it, for we know not whether we shall live to enjoy it, so that as Christ says, " SufFic- ient unto the day is the evil thereof." "Judge not, that ye be not judged;" Chap. vii. Verse 1. " For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judg- ed ; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Verse 2. , A great and wise expression, or sentence, from a right- eous and just judge ; the Judge of heaven, and of earth," to whom all power in both is given ; by which we may easily perceive we are to be very careful in judgement and censures of others, and that we are not rash and censo- rious therein ; considering that with what judgement we judge our neighbours, or fellow mortals, with such shall we also be judged ourselves, and that measure which we measure out to others, shall be filled to us again ; when it comes to our turn to be judged, or censured by others, for any thing which we have done or said, we are ready then to cry out for charity ; are we so careful to be char- itable in our judging and censuring others ! It is better to suspend personal judgement, without we could see the hearts of men ; and if we think we do, then to imitate God and Christ, who mixes mercy and love with judgement ; rashness and extremes in judgement, being commonly hurtful. " And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?" Verse 3. " Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, and behold a beam is in thine own eye." Verse 4. " Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out t'le mote out of thy brother's eye." Verse 5. Most true it is, that the transgressions of others are most afflicting to those who fear God, and this is not in- 420 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON tended to hinder the good from reproving the evil ; but shews us that we must be clear of evil in ourselves when we reprove others, else the guilt of hypocrisy will be, and is by Christ cast upon us, and laid at our door. We are more to look at our own failings, than at the failings of others ; and to take special care that we are clear of that which we reprove others for ; and is it not deceit, to set up for reformers of others, when there are great defects in ourselves ? It is too general a fault in poor mortals to be quicker sighted to see the faults of others, than their own. It is worthy recitiiig our Saviour's words to the Jews, who brought the woman taken in adultery, to him, and told him, by their law she ought to die ; he an- swers, " He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone at her." So they being guilty, and convicted of sin in their own consciences, left her to Christ, and went their way : and when we have done what w'e can to convince others of sin, we must leave them to Christ at last ; whe- ther we are in sin, or without it ; but we shall be the better able to help to reform others, if we are clear from guilt in our own hearts. *' Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rent you." Verse 6. When we see the biting and persecuting nature, and dirty, selfish spirit of men, it is to little purpose, gen- erally, to cast before them the precious pearl of truth, or to shew unto them the deep mysteries of the kingdom of God, or the light of life, they being in a brutish spir- it ; but when people are sober, and show forth human- ity and moderation, then are holy things valuable to them, and the things of Christ's kingdom, and his doctrine, precious in their eyes, or esteem. Wherefore it greatly behoveth Christ's ministers to minister that to the people which is suitable for them, and rightly to divide between the precious and the vile, and to give to every one their portion, according to their deeds ; mercy to whom mer- cy, and judgement to whom judgement belongs; with- out partiality, and without h\ pocrisy, or deceit ; and not to flatter and daub those who are in the doggish and swinish nature. Christ's sermon ov the mount. 421 ** Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall iind ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Verse 7. *' For every one that asketh, receiveth ; and he that seeketh, findeth ; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened." Verse 8. " Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone ?" Verse 9. '* Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent ?" Verse 10. *' If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him ?" Verse 11. Our kind and tender Redeemer would stir up and pro- voke souls to prayer and supplication ; he has been lib- eral in his holy advice ; and to stir us up to it, here arc moving expressions, if thy heart be open to receive them. Can we have easier terms if we were to make them ourselves with the Lord, than to ask, and have ; seek, and find; knock, and the gates are opened; pro- vided we ask in faith tenderly, and seek in humility, and knock with divine wisdom and submission? Our Lord's own practice shows that we should be tender, submissive, and fervent in prayer ; and then the fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much with the Lord. Christ urgeth us to it, and brings ourselves for exam- ple. " What man is there among you, who if his son ask bread, or a fish, will he give him a stone, or a ser- pent?" Surely no: no father would deal thus with his child; but when his child is hungry, and wants and asks bread, he gives it to him : so when the Almighty sees our hunger, and we tenderly seek divine assistance and refreshment from him, he, in his own time, satisfies such souls with bread from above, and the thirsty with living water out of the wells of salvation : Oh! blessed be his holy name for evermore. Evil men know how to give good things to their children, therefore we may well con- clude that our heavenly Father knows how to give with much more discretion and understanding the good things 422 SOME OBSEKVATIONS ON of his Ivingdom, to true asking, seeking, knocking or praying souls. " Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do even so to them ; for this is the law and the prophets." Verse 12. Well may this be called the golden rule ; for if wc square our lives and actions by it, it will certainly mete us out the true way to happiness and glory. We arc generally apt to say, when any one doth ill to another, '' Would he be willing to be served so himself?" And if we follow this rule in all our concerns, it would be v/ell; whether in relation to public or private business ; whe- ther in trade or religion, or in our domestic affairs : the law and the prophets point at it, and our Saviour plainly lays it down as a rule for us to walk by. " Enter ye in at the strait gate ; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and ma- ny there be who go in thereat." Verse 13. " Because strait is the gait, and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be who find it." Verse 14. It is afflicting to consider how natural it is for people to walk in this broad way, and they who walk in it are many ; for here is room for people to walk if they are proud, \^'horemongers, adulterers, thieves, swearers, liars, drunkards, covetous, or in any other evil course of life, thi^ broad way hath room enough in it for them to walk in ; but let them know, it leadeth to destruction, and the end is eternal misery, and their many companions will administer no consolation to them, when they lift up their eyes in hell. And whereas the way that leads to life is called strait, it is only strait to flesh and blood, or the will of unregencrate men : Oh ! it is a pleasant way, exceed- ing pleasant, when brethren walk together in love and unity. The enemy of mankind would persuade souls, that it is narrower than it really is, when they have some faint inclinations to make trial of it. It may truly be said, " Blessed are the undefilcd in this strait and narrow wav, who walk in the law of the Lord :" For, " His wa}'s CHRIST S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 423 are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are peace." And although the way to the kingdom was strait and narrow, yet tliere are hills and vallies therein as well as plains, until we get through the gate of glory : there shall we know no more sorrow, nor pain ; but shall praise and glorify God and the Lamb forever. " Beware of false prophets, who come to you ia sheep's cloathing ; but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Verse 15. " Ye shall know them by their fruits ; do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thisiles ?" Verse 16. " Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." Verse 17. *' A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Verse 18. " Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Verse 19. " Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Verse 20. The great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls shews the care which he takes of his sheep, and forewarns them to be careful of false prophets, and deceivers; who though they may clothe themselves with words like the true ones, yet inwardly they would destroy all who do not join with, or receive them ; and they are for biting the poor harmless sheep of Christ, and if they could, or it were in their power, would devour them, their minds being in the ravening nature. But our holy, and all-wise Bishop, that we might be preserved from them, tells us how we may infallibly know them ; say- ing, " Ye shall know them by their fruits," giving us to understand the reasonableness of his doctrine and as- sertion of knowing them by their fruits. " Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles," says Christ? Surely no. That is altogether unnatural, as well as un- reasonable and impossible. In the grape there is a sweet and pleasant nourishment, those fruits being cordial and wholesome ; but it is bad meddling with thistles and thorns, they behig generally very unprofitable to man- 424 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON kind, and hurt the good seed wherever they grow among it. Well, where must we go for the grapes and the iigs ? To be sure we must go to the vine, and the fig- tree : Christ is the body of this vine, and his people are the branches, who bring forth such fruit (according to the divine life or sap which they receive) as he taught, and teaches to his followers. So that if men's words be like the words of angels, if they have never so great parts and endowments ; yet if their fruit be evil, if they live in sin, and do iniquity, and bring forth the fruits of malice and rage, or devouring persecution, they then are none of Christ's sheep, though they may have their cloathing : *' For every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; and a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." So if the fruit be evil, the tree is certainly corrupt. Our Lord elsewere saith, " Make the tree good, and the fruit will be good also : and to be made truly good (since we are all corrupt by nature, and in the fall), we must be cut off from that nature, and grafted into Christ, who said, *' I am the vine, and ye are the branches ;" and then our lives and fruits will be changed. And then, " A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, nor can a cor- rupt tree bring forth good fruit : and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire." It would be very unnatural, and a mere prod- igy, for one tree to hew down another, and cast it into the fire, as they are natural trees : but that ax (which John speaks of) will be laid to the roots of the corrupt trees, and will hew them down, and they will be cast into the fire, as Christ speaks. This is not a destroying the bodies of men that Christ speaks of, but an inward work in the soul, shewing the powerful nature of the dispensation of the gospel of Christ, which is not material cutting, or burning with material fire, or sword : but Christ's word is a fire and sword to cut down and burn up the evil nature in man. The apostle confirms this doctrine of his mas- ter thus, " He that doth righteousness is righteous, but he that sinneth is of the devil." The apostle is plain and full, as is Christ, who repeats his doctrine over again, with, *' Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Christ's sermon on the mount. 425 ** Not every one that saith unto me, Lord ! Lord ! shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." Verse 21. It is not our profession that will give us admittance into heaven, nor a name of religion, nor religious per- formances, if we love sin and unrighteousness, nor our praying, preaching, hearing, reading, or discoursing of, or arguing for Christ, if we do the works of satan ; for there are many who may go farther than this, and vet not have admittance into the kingdom of God and our blessed Lord Jesus, as is plainly manifest in the next verse. " Many will say unto me in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name have done many won- derful works." Verse 22. *' And then I will profess to them, I know ye not ; depart from me, ye workers of iniquity." Verse 23. So that professing Christ's own name, and prophes}- ing therein, without working the works of God, will not do. Nay, though they may cast out devils, which indeed is a great work, and here is not only one devil in the sin- gular number, but devils in the plural. They say they have cast out devils, and truly there are many devils in poor mortals sometimes, as was said by them to Christ ; *' Our name is Legion, for we are many." There are the devils of pride, covetousness, drunkenness, whoredom, theft, envy, murder, lying, swearing, hypocrisy, cheating, backbiting, &.c. and abundance more, which cannot ea- sily be named ; and though it may be said, and that truly, that all these proceed from the devil, who is an evil spirit ; yet it may also be said, that there are many evil spirits ; and if all these evil spirits are cast out of man, and others of an evil nature enter him again, his last state is worse than his beginning ; as Christ speaks about the strong man armed, who kept the house till a stronger than he came, who, when he came, spoiled his goods and dispossessed him, but coming again found the house (or heart) swept and garnished: swept from many immor- alities, and garnished with self- righteousness, and carnal security ; and the man ofThis Vv-atch -ind not at hoiU'^ with Christ, who is stronger than satan: he then re-enters, and I i i taO SOME OliSEIlVATIONS 0\ seven worse spirits with him. So that we had need to be on our watch, and keep near to Christ, lest after all our experience, and wor.drous works, oi^r last state be worse than our beginviiiig, and we shut out of the king- dom in the end. For these say, that they have done many woiidcrrfui works in Christ's name : so that we may work miraculous things, and be sensible of wonderful power and strength from Christ ; and yet, without per- severing in the way of holiness and self-denial, may fall short of heaven. Wherefore ii is bad, and of dangerous cor;sequence, to live in sin and iniquity ; or to lean to- wards it, so as to plead for it, or believe we cannot live Avithout it while in this world. For if we live and die in it, we may justly (according to the above doctrine of Christ) expect that he will say unto us in the great day ; " Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." " Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock." Verse 24. " And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock." Verse 25. Oh! what abundance of excellent sayings, and doc- trine, what holy precepts has Christ here recommended to the professors of his name, and to them who believe in him and the Almighty Father and Maker of heaven and earth. Surely we are greatly beholden to our Lord Jesus Christ for those plain divine sayings. But to com- mend them only is but little, or to read them, or hear them : the keeping and the doing of them is the main thing ; the thing that is needful ; and to press the prac- tice of them, Jesus has made this apt comparison. 1st. " lie who hears them, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man." And indeed it is great wisdom to keep them (that is, to practise them) and as great folly to live contrary to them, aiid jilead against them. 2d. " Who built his house upon a rock." This rock is Christ, die rock of ages, and his holy spirit, or the Holy Ghost, as Christ said to Peter, when Christ was revealed to him : " Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven :" " Thou art Christ's sermon on the mount. 427" Peter," (or a stone or rock) : thou art a man, though thy name signifies a rock, and as thy name signifies a rock, so " On this rock will I build my church," (that is on the spirit of the heavenly Father, who revealed Christ to Pe^ ter) and the church of Christ so built, "the gates of hell cannot prevail against it." And Peter was one who heard these sayings, and did them, when he had received the Holy Ghost, or spirit ; for which every true believer ought to pray continually, until he receive it ; through the help of which he may, without doubt, keep those holy sayings. For of ourselves, without it, we cannot do any real good, either in speaking, thinking, or acting. 3d. " And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon the house, and it fell not ; because it was founded upon a rock." If rain from above be poured out in wrath on man, for sin and iniquity, and floods of persecution, or the windy words of men come upon this house, it will stand: if sickness and death itself, and many other storms, that we may meet with here, in this low world, should beat against our building, we being built upon the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shall surely stand. them all out, and live through all, if we observe to hear or read Christ's sayings, and to practise the same ; then they are on the rock, and shall not fall for that reason. " And every one who heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand." Verse 26. " And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell ; and great was the fall of it." Verse 27. If we read or hear these sayings, or doctrine of Christ, and do not dwell in the life of it, nor practise the same, it were better we knew it not. For as our Saviour saith, " He who knoweth his master's will, and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." And doubtless it is great folly to be sensible of Christ's holy will and doc- trine, and not to do it : if we profess Christianity, and to build our profession on Christ, and yet not observe to keep his sayings, the foundation of our building will be but very loose and sandy ; and when those rains, ancl 428 SOME OBSERVATIONS, &C. floods, and winds, which Christ speaks of, shall descend and beat against this building, it must needs fall, and the higher the building is, the greater will be the fall of it. Thus ended the best sermon that ever was preached by man ; in which is set forth the great truths of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, with blessings and rewards to the righteous, and holy believers in him, who put in practice his precepts ; and reproof to the disobedient, and unfaithful ; with promises of the kingdom of heaven to one, and to the other a being shut out of it. And when he had ended his doctrine, for that time, and finished his divine sayings, the people were smitten with it, to admi- ration, as well indeed they might. *' And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these savings, that the people were astonished at his doctrine." Verse 28. *' For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Verse 29. They \^^ere astonished at his doctrine, and well they might, for it excelled even the law, and went beyond it, as when he tells them, it was said of old time, or in the law, "Thou shalt not kill :'" he taught that we must not be angry without a cause. And whereas the law skives liberty to hate our enemies ; he charges us to love them, and pray for them, and do good to them ; again the law prohibits adultery ; Christ prohibits lusts, both in the eye, and in the heart. And whereas the law com- manded to perform their oaths to the Lord ; Christ com- mands not to swear at all. Now those who are not an- grv, it is not likely they should kill ; those who love their enemies cannot hate or destroy them ; those who have not lusts in their hearts or eyes, cannot commit adulterv ; and those who never swear, cannot forswear themselves : all which he with divine power and author- itv from above taught. He was not dry and formal like the scribes : so likewise his ministers, and the j^reachers of his gospel, should wait on him, to be endued with a measure of his divine spirit and holy grace, that the hear- ers might be edified, and the Father, Son, and Spirit, might have the glory, who over all is worthy forever. POSTSCRIPT. Since T wrote the above, (which was written at sea, iu my vo\ Hge from Barbadoes to London), I have heard that a learned man hath written upon this excellent ser- mon of Christ, (which far exceds what I have done) at which I rejoice. For the more Christ is glorified, and his faithful followers edified, the greater is our cause of rejoicing ; and if it exceeds this, it is no wonder : this being done by one who doth not profess to un- derstand grammar, neither is master of words, nor scarcely of good English. Peradventure through the meanness of the instrument, the glory of God, and praise of Christ, may the more appear : as said Christ, *' Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained praise," or strength : and again, " Thou hast revealed these things unto babes and sucklings." And the Jews marvelled that the apostles of Christ should know the things of God, being unlearned men. But I had a concern working a long time on my mind, and could not be easy, nor satisfied until I had made some little essay towards this work : and considering my own weakness, it kept me back a great while ; but in giving up to the work, I had peace, and inward satisfaction : for I thought it my duty to publish and promote, as much as I well could, the doctrine and sermon of Christ, my Lord and Master ; since the very life and marrow of true Christianity is therein to be found, in a very great degree ; and, without controversy, those who live up, and according to the doctrine here laid down by Christ, in this sermon, will be blessed in this world, and that which is to come, of whatsoever denomination the\ may be. T. CHALKLEY. SOME TRULY TENDER SCRUPLES OF CONSCIENCE, ABOUT THAT FORM OF PRATER, CALLED, THE COMiMON PRAYER, AS USED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. As to the reading the Holy Scripture, either privately or openly, that I am not against, but would encourage it in all christians, and true believers in Christ : and we ought to excite one another thereto, and more especially to put in practice what we read to be our duty ; other- wise the holy letter will kill, (as said the apostle, 2 Cor. iii. 6.) which is to be understood when we practise con- trary to what we read therein. As for example, where our Lord saith, " Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof, in the day of judgement." Mat. xii. S6. Again, " God will not hold them guilt- less, that taketh his name in vain." Exod. xx. 7. " That servant that knew his Lord's will, and did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." Luke^ xii. 47. These, and many more portions of holy scripture , are con- demning and killing to those who live in sin and evil, which the letter is absolutely against, and without true repentance, accompanied with amendment of life, though the Holy Bible be read every day, it will but add to our condemnation. But if people truly repent of the evil of their ways, and awake to righteousness, and sin not, as the holy scriptures themselves hold, and Christ taught, then unto such souls they are a rich treasure, and as a cabinet full of precious jewels, " Able to make the man of God wise unto salvation, through faith, in Christ, (by the influence of the Holy Ghost, or spirit.) It is not the read- ing divinely inspired writings, or the bible, which is 432 SOME TRULY TENDER SCRUPLES OF CONSCIENCE scrupled, but the formal reading of formal composed prayers and songs, at set times, instituted by such whose principle is that there is now no divine revelation, and that we cannot live without sinning, while we are in this world, acccording to the tenure of the common prayer ; holding, that we sin as long as we live, as if God's power were not stronger to preserve out of sin, than the devil's to keep us in sin, contrary to the work and doctrine of the holy apostles, who were sent of God to turn people from satan's power, to the power of God ; whose glorious, eternal power, is above the power of sin, death, and the devil. In the common prayer some unsound words, and also some scripture expressions, perverted to a wrong use, I would a little open, or write a few words concerning. 1st. As to that expression in the common prayer, that *' We are miserable sinners." 2d. And that " We are full of bruises and putrifying sores." 3d. And " From the crown of the head to the sole, of the foot, there is no soundness in us." 4th. And that " We have left undone the things which we ought to do, and do those things which we ought not to do ;" and these to be repeated for life. First, then, If people must be miserable sinners all their days, to what end did Christ come into the world and preach the gospel, and suffer death, the painful death of the cross? Did he not come to put an end to sin, and to destroy the works of the devil, whose works are sin ? Did he not preach against sin, both within and without? Witness the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of the evangelist Matthew. Yea, his birth, life, preaching, suffering, death and resurrection, and ascension into glory, were all against sin, the devil, death and darkness, and all the works and deeds thereof. Christ died for our sins, and we should die to them, and live to him : he came to save us from the act of sin, as well as the imputation of it ; and takes away the guilt of sin on condition of true repentance and amendment of life, as the doctrine of Chrr?st and his apostles do largely and plainly demon- ABOUT THE COMMON PRAYER. 433 Strate, as any who are come to the years of discretion, and who can but read the holy scriptures, may plainly discover. The apostle saith, " Whatsoever things are holy, whatsoever things are pure, just, and of good report, seek after those things." And again, " No unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven ;" but certainly all sin is un- clean. Read over the holy scriptures, from the begin- ning to the end, their nature and tendency is against all sin ; and as it is true, that we all have been shiners, surely therefore all true christians, and true believers in Christ, have cause reverently to bow, and to be truly and hum- bly thankful, that Christ, our great Lord, by offering himself for us, hath taken away that imputation ; so that now through faith, and belief in Christ, accompanied with true repentance, and amendment of life, the imputation of our former sins is taken away ; for this cause we praise God, and adore his eternal majesty for ever. 2d. As to the word " miserable," a christian may in- deed be poor ; but since Christ is come to make us happy and comfortable, through the hope of eternal sal- vation, in his name and power (as we are not to think ourselves better than we are) so we cannot say nor think we are miserable, unless we are without God and Christ ; and then we are miserable indeed ; but no mortal can be miserable who hath Christ ; " For he that hath the Son, hath life (eternal life) abiding in him:" to be truly in Christ, is to be truly liappy ; this doctrine is as clear as the sun at noon-day, or as a morning without clouds : a soul, when it comes to see itself undone without a Sav- iour, and see sin to be exceeding sinful, and is ready to cry to the Almighty, Lord, help, or I perish ! save me, or I am undone forever ! Then the soul seeth itself miserable ; but it is for want of Christ : and when Christ is come into, or unto the soul, then its misery vanisheth, or flieth away ; but from day to day, and week to week, yea, all the days of one's life ; to be miserable sinners, is a miserable case indeed, destroying the very nature of cliristianitv : wherefore, some tender, conscientious souls, xkk ♦d'fc SOME TRULt TENDF.n SCRUPLES OF CONSCIENCE cannot join with such miserable sinners and sayers, wh» neither say nor do that which they ought. 3d. As to these sayings, " We are full of bruises and putrefying sores, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, and thdt there is no soundness in us," Can any congregation of such people as these (if they say truly, and if they do not say truly, what will the con- sequence be, let the wise in heart judge) can, I say, such a people be the church of Christ, or his spouse, or beau- tiful bride ? Christ saith, " If the inside be clean, the out- side will be clean also ; and he came to cleanse the souls of poor mortals, and to heal them, and wash them from sin, and doth it by his spiritual baptism, and the fire of his word ; also the abov,esaid church and people, contrary to this putrefied and unsound, constant and continual confession, do both *' Promise and vow, that they will forsake the devil and all his works, the pomp and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and walk in God^s holy will and commandments, all the days of their lives." The very highest pitch of perfec- tion any man or christian can attain in this life ! and yet contrar}' to those vows and solemn covenants, they tell the Almighty, from time to time, that they are unsound, nay, that there is no soundness in them ; but that they are putrefied from head to foot (as above) and by their common practice intend to tell him so as long as they live in this life : this is unsound work indeed : and truly those who are tenderly conscientious, may well scruple to join with it, or with those who are in such ways, words and works. Those bruised, putrefied, sore and unsound souls, are tlherefore tenderly, in christian love, advised to come to Christ, the physician of value, and great doctor of the soul, that he may heal them, and wash their sinful putre- fied souls, and unsound hearts, *' By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of his word and spirit." " Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you," saith our Saviour. John xv. 3. They were cleansed by putting his word in practice; for, saith Christ, ABOUT THE COMMON PRAYER, 4,So '* He that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man;" Mat.\u.24i. so consequent- ly, he that doth them not, is foolish, sinful, and unclean. 4th. And further, say they, " We have left undone those things which we ought to have done." Now, do- ing the truth, and doing that which is right, is what we ought to do ; and committhig sin, is that vvhich we ought not to do : certainly any man of sense and understand- ing, would think it mockery, if his children or servants should serve him so from time to time, and make a com- mon practice of it : by this confession (if it be genuine) they must needs know better than they practise or do, they knowing what they ought to do, but not doing it ; and our Lord Jesus Christ saith positively, " He that knoweth his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beat- en with many stripes : ' and again, " Be ye not like the scribes and pharisees ; for they say, and do not ; there- fore be ye not like unto them." But what can be expected from those who say they sin in their best duties? And if so, they sin whenever they read the common prayers ; and by the same rule ; the oftener they read them, the oftener they sin ; where- fore, how can a sincere, devout soul, who unfeignedly loves the Lord Jesus Christ, so as to keep his command- ments (for that is to love him truly, and according to his own definition of it ; " If ye love me, keep my command- ments," saith Christ) ; I say, how can any such sincere soul join with such wrong doers and sayers ? it must needs be an unsafe practice to do what one knows should not be done ; the nature of such doings being very pro. yoking, either to God or man : what man in the world would like it, in either son or servant ? Oh ! what would become of poor, degenerate man if the Lord Almighty were not very indulgent if he were not a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving- kindness to poor mortals ! 5th. And as to their singing David's psalms in metre; how often do they sing that which is not true as to them- selves, and also that which is not according, but contrary to their states and conditions? As ^vheii they sing^ 456 SOME TRULY TENDFR SCRUPLES OF COKSCIENCE *' That they water their couch with their tears;" and that they practice what they know, when they confess they *' Do that which they ought not to do, and leave undone that which they ought to do." 1 he apostle said, he would " Sing with the spirit, and with the understanding also." And again, *' We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the spirit itself rriaketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered." Bom. viii, 26. In the primitive times of Christianity, they prayed and sung as they were helj)ed by the HoK Ghost, or spirit, and not by book, or sthited or set forms ; but, Oh ! the primitive soui dness of chris- tiL.iiity is too much lost and defaced; and therefore some "who desire to come ugain to the primitive soundness and purity of the christian religion, scruple to join with such unsound formalities, and that conscientiouslj', for the reasons above, and more which might be given. When such scrupks are mentioned, the members of the church of Enghuid usually reply, that the scriptures viadic.te them in their form, which, how well they do so, let it be freely and fiirly examined, not for conten- tion, but for editication in the pure love of Jesus. 1st. " The scripture saith, that there was a people that was full of bruises and putrefying sores, &c." Answer. Bui that was in the time of the law, when the people had transgressed the law, and were under the law ; for had they done their duty, and kept the law, they could not truly have said so Isa. i. 6. They were then indeed gone astray like the lost sheep, and that brought them into that sore, putrefied state, and bruised condition, and " Their KiW did not make the comers thereunto perfect; yet (as saith the apostle) the bringing in of a better hope did," which was the hope of the gospel ; so that the apostle preaches perfection imder the gospel dispensation, though some of our worldly-wise meii will not allow of it ; and I \\o\it we are not under the law, but under grace ; " And the glorious law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath and doth set the true believers free from the law of sin and death ; so that a true christian cannot say truly (with the false and ABOUT THE COMMON PRAYER. 4o7 rebellious Jews, of whom the prophet there speaks), " That he is full of putrefying sores, and that there is no soundness in him, and say it all the days of his life." 2nd. Again the scripture saith, " I was shapen in in- iquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Psalm li. 5. Answer. The psalmist was at that time under deep convictions for the sins he had been guilty of in the matter of Uriah ; but by his expressions in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh verses of the same psalm, it is plain he believed a better state attainable. And surely these expressions cannot be applicable to all men, at all times : for we read of them who were sanctified from the womh. Neither can it be reasonably or charitably supposed that all women, especially chaste and virtuous christians, do conceive their children in sin, and bring them forth in iniquity: and if it were so, (which God forbid), it doth not follow, that we must live in it all our days. No, surely, if we believe Christ, and the holy scriptures, whose doctrine is holy, and commands holiness, in both Testaments. And if people would walk in the holj^ light of Christ, who enlightens every man that cometh into the world, as recorded in the holy scriptures, they would then be cleansed from their sin, from both the act and the imputation, as saith the apostle, " If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, then have we fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John^ i. 7. 3d. " There is none that doth good, no not one." Rom. iii. 12. Answer. It is beyond all doubt the apostle spoke of the people in their unconverted state ; for if they had been come to the work of conversion and regeneration, they must, and it is impossible but that they should do some good ; and though there was a time that none did good, it was under the law, and not under grace ; and spoken of the unbelievers, and not of believers : especially since Christ has brought a covenant of grace, in order to teach and help us to live righteous, virtuous, holy, religious, and sober, lives and conversations. Titus, ii. 11. 438 SOME TRULY TENDER SCRUPLES OF COJ/SCIEKCE 4th. They object the words of our Saviour to the young man in the gospel, where he calls Christ good master, asking him, " What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life ?" Christ answered, " Why call- est thou me good ? 'J 'here is none good, but one, that is God." Alar. xix. 17. Answer. And true it is, in our Lord's sense, for comparing men to Christ, (who is God) tliere is none good; the young man thought he had been speaking to a man like himself, and kncvv not thiit he was speaking to the good and gracious Son of the most high God ; but if we compare men with men, it must be granted, that there is, was, and will be some good men, women, and children, in that sense and consideration; and our Lord sheweth how we may kno\v these good men, wom- en, and children. " By their fruits ye shall know them, (says Christ); men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles ; a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit ; wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." How plain is the doctrine of Christ, if people would but lend an obedient ear, and give him a faithful and sincere heart, and serve him in a pure mind, without deceit or guile, taking up his holy cross (to the corrupt will of man) in true self-denial : the scripture says, '* If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness:" where then is the sin, when God has cleansed us from all un- righteousness ? Indeed it is very meet, and our duty to confess our sins; they truly say, that, 5th, " The scripture in sundry places excites us to confess our sins." Answer. For poor mortals have all sinned, and, by this sinful nature, we are all children of wrath, and this is a strong and mighty motive for us in truth to confess our sins, because God is so just and merciful to forgive and pass by our iniquities ; arid indeed if the weight of our sins were upon us, and the true sense of the heinousness of sin and evil, it would certainly bow us in deep rever- ence and humility belore the turone of grace, and melt ABOUT THE COMMON PRAYER* 439 our spirits into tenderness before the Most High and im- mortal Jehovah ; and then it is that he forgives us, and cleanseth us from all iniquity, and would (according to the apostle's doctrine) " Purify us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of (and for) good works," and against bad works and words, and thoughts also : and when God hath so cleansed the soul, then, of course, these common, and often repeated, dry confes-^ions, full of sin and putre- faction, must fall, and we should fear to offend any more. Let it be tenderly, and in christian love, asked, how often do our common prayer people go into their closets, or privately retire into some secret place, and there pour out their cries and tears to the Almighty, and humbly confess their faults to him alone ? I ask, would not such an exercise be more acceptable to God, than a popular repetition, daily and formally made ? This I leave to the consideration of all sober christians, and to the judge- ment of the truly pious. And how like mockery it looks, as soon as they come from their prayers and confessions, they (many of them) will vainly 1 lugh, and be full of idle words and discourse, and some of them curse and swear, and take the awful and sacred name which they have been addressing (or pretending to address) in vain, and profane that holy name of God and Christ, which they have been using in their devotion, to which I have been an eye and car witness, many a time, to the sorrow and grief of my soul, and which hath, in part, occasioned these lines ; as also hoping it may be a motive to stir up some to more holy living, and that the name of God and Christ might be glorified, and the precious dear-bought soul saved. Let us also remember, that the Holy Scripture doth abundantly require and command us to forsake our sins; the holy text says, " He that confesseth and forsaketh his sins, shall have mercy." 6th. And whereas the apostle John, in his first gene- ral epistle, chap. i. verse 8, writes, " If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves ;'' from whence it is object- ed, we ought always to confess our sins.' Answer. Yes, we should do so whenever we commit any, or knowingly do evil ; but when the Almighty hath 440 SOME TRULY TENDER SCRUPLES OP CONSCIENCE cleansed us from all unrighteousness, then our sins are done away by the grace of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and we are washed by regeneration ; then it cannot be true to say we are miserable and putrefied sinners, when at the same time also Christ hath purified and sanctified his church and people. That is true which St. John saith, chap. i. verse 10» (when opening and explaining the 8th verse) " If we say we have not sinned, we make him (i. e. God) a liar ;" for that all have sinned ? so that it is plain that he speaks of the state of man before he comes to the work of conver- sion, or to be renewed by grace ; for when we come truly to know Christ, and to see and believe in him, then we witness a change from our corrupt and evil nature, and sinful course of life, which is as clear as the shining of the sun without clouds at noon-day, from the same apos- tle's words, which I shall transcribe for the information and edification of any who may see this. The first general epistle of John (the beloved disciple of our Lord Jesus) 3d. chap. 6th verse to the 10th : " Who- soever abideth in him (i. e. Christ) sinneth not : whoso- ever sinneth, hath not seen him, neither known him. Lit- tle children, let no man deceive you : he who doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous : he whocommiteth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For tliis purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin ; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God arc manifest, and the children of the devil ; whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God (and as above) he who committeth sin, is of the devil." This is naked truth, without any covering, and the very sum and substance of pure religion. Oh! that all true christians would lay it to heart, and ponder it in their minds, and then resolve whether they will be sin- ners to the end of their days, or whether they will repent, and turn from the evil of their ways ; the latter of which, that poor mortals may come to witness for themselves, is tlie desire and prayer of my soul. ABOUf THE COMMON PRAYER. 441 If it be further objected, " That our Saviour taught his disciples a form ;" he did so ; and a glorious form it is ; and they did as they prayed, and were taught of Christ, and so they did it truly, and in true faith, believ- ing they should witness what they said and prayed to be fulfilled. " Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread* And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." Christ said to some of old, " Ye are of your father the devil, because his works ye do :" And all sin is his work, and by our works (as above) we are manifest^ whether we are the children of God, or ©f the devil-. lI! A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN IRELAND, CONTAINING A RELATION OF SOME SORROWFUL INSTANCES OF THE SAD EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE, AS A WARNING TO YOUNG PEOPLE, A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord; but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. PROV. xii. 2. The wicked are overthrown, and are not ; but the house of the right- eous shall stand. PROV. xii. 7. Wo to them who are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong di-ink. ISA. V. 22. THE PREFACE To the Tenth Edition of this Letter to a Friend, Temperate Reader, The longer we live in the world, the more we see the danger and many mischiefs, miseries and inconveniencies, intemperance occasions to mankind, not only in eating, clothing, buying, and selling, &c. but particularly in that great sin of drinking to ex- cess. And though a risk is run of incurring the displeasure of some ill natured over-overs of strong liquors, the which hath been experienced by the author, through some of the former impressions ; yet they having found such general acceptance in many parts of the world, and being serviceable to people of all persuasions, I, for the further service of poor mortals, adventure to put forth this tenth edition, with this additional preface, in order (if possible) to persuade all rational souls to forsake so destructive and vile an evil : which gross sin hath these bad effects attending it (with many more that might be set down) which affects both the aged and the youth ; for whose sakes (viz. the youth) it was at first chiefly intended, in order to stir them up to the love of pure religion, and pious and virtuous living. 1st. Then, In the aged it hath those bad effects, viz. they are bad examples to the youth, who when reproved, may reply. My father before me loved strong liquors, as well as I : he loved a glass of wine ; he loved a bowl of punch ; he loved good cider and good ale, and would be merry with it, and why may not I, as well as he ? he was a wise, good man, when he was sober ; and pray where is the harm of loving good liquor, and being merry ? I answer ; The harm is in the immoderate and extravagant use ot it. It is only the excess which this letter detects, and is intended to discourage. I have known some who have quarrel- led with public preaching, because they have been guilty of the faults spoke against : and the author expects to be buffeted for this publication, by some of these mighty sons to drink wine, and to mingle strong drink (i. e. punch, setterena, tiff, flip, &c.) I had like to have forgotten Sampson, (as I have several others) which so overcomes those men of might, as to get from them their precious time, (which cannot be bought with money) and PREPACE. their money, besides health and credit, understanding and rea- son, and all. And pray where is the difterence thcii between the man and the beast, though the man be lull ol da} s ! What can we say to the youth of such parents (thai will avail) •while their parents sheAv them such evil examples: And as it is in that, so it is in all other evils, parents' txamples are very hurtfid in evil things, though very helpful in thai av hich is good. If a man sees a youth to be out of order, and reproves him ior being in drink, evil speaking, pride, coveiousness, &c. and he guilty of the same, his child may answer, A\hy, faiher, i had not done so, if I had not seen thee (or you) do it ? And it bt ing an incumbent duty in a father, mother, master, or mistress, to re- prove their youth for evil ; if we are not clear in ourselves of what we reprove in our children or servants, and our children or servants miscarry through our bad example, what a melancholy reflection will that be to us, if rightly considered ! which indeed would be this, I have been instrumental to mv poor child's ruin and destruction ! A melancholy reflection to any sober christian. Also, except there is a large income, instead of taking care to put the youth in a reputable way to live in the world, it brings them to poverty : and if there is a large estate, it puts them in the way to spend it. And, Oh ! how many are spending their precious time in taverns, and ordinaries, and at the same time their wives and children sufllering and weeping at home i And some sober, modest women (for the men are mostly addicted to drinking to excess) would sufl'er unspeakable hardships before they would expose their husbands; and indeed they that do it in such a modest way, being forced to it by such ill practices, are much more to be pitied than blamed. 2d. Concerning the youth, it mightily hurts them (as doth it the aged also) as to their religion, reputation, health, and estate, &c. 1st. As to their religion, it not only clouds their understand- ing, and darkens the nobility thereof, but it unfits them lor all and every religious duty. 2d. Some who value a good name, had rather lose their lives, than lose their reputation through immoderate drinking. For if the youth be single, and addicted to immoderate drinking, no wise and virtuous person will tie themselves to them for life, by marriage ; which state of life, to a wise and virtuous pair, is far exceeding in happiness all other company or conversation whatsoever. It is better to be one of these than to enjoy a kingdom : and, on the other hand, it is better to be a slave, in Turkey, than to be married to an intemperate person. 3d. Intemperance destroys the health of the body, which we generally esteem before wealth. And if a man were a king, Preface. prince, or duke, if he did not enjoy his heahh, what good would all his honour, power, and wealth, do him f Oh ! what abun- dance of young people have destroyed themselves by this sin ? As it is written : "The wicked do not live out half their days ;" and where this sin is growing general in a country, that country is growing to its ruin and destruction. It wastes the people, decays trade, and is very destructive to religion, and an inlet to atheism. Good people are afraid to live in such a country, bad people flock to it, and often make their exit in it. 4th. And many a fair estate hath been embezzled and spent through intemperance, which honest parents, with great labour, care, and industry, have got together, and left to their sons and daughters, who have extravagantly spent it upon their lusts; and thereby have brought infamy on tht-mselves, their fathers, and their posterity, whenever it has pleased God that they have left any behind them ; besides (which is worst of all) dishon- ouring God, and bringing a scandal on the christian religion. Some of our wise kings and queens in Great-Britain, being sorrowfully affected with the heinousness of this great sin, have made strict laws against intemperance : and where the legisla- tive authority makes little or no provision against it, or when they do make any, do not take care to put it in practice, such a state or colony must needs be in a declining condition. And for particular families and persons, we may see too much of this evil in our neighbourhoods, almost in all parts of the world which causeth solid, sober, pious, virtuous, and truly religious christians to mourn, and humbly to bow before the most high God, begging of him, for Christ's sake, that he, by his mighty power, would be pleased to reform the unregenerate world. This is the prayer and fervent desire of an entire lover of mankind, both body and soul, and who desires their welfare in this, and in the world to come. T. CHALKLEY. A LETTER TO A FRIEND. Barhadoes, 1th of 1st Mo. 1718-19; My dear Friend, It is long since I had a line from thee : but not long- since I thought of thee, and thine, with friends of your nation ; where I know that the Lord hath a seed, who love him, and do desire to serve him, and are accounted to him for a chosen generation ; and that ihis generation may spread and prosper in the earth, is my earnest tnivail in spirit both night and day, at times and seasons. There is also an exercise upon my mind for the offspring of this seed, the children of those men and women, who have confessed the name of Christ before men, in a holy- self-denying life, and sober conversation : and I do cer- tainly know, that many pious souls join with me in this exercise, bowing the knee to the Lord of sabbaths, for the peace, prosperity, and eternal welftvre of the pres- ent, rising generation. Oh ! how exercising it is to good men and w omen to see their youth take those ways which lead to destruction, and go in company with the wick- ed, whose ways lead to the utter ruining of both body and soul, and whose steps take hold on hell. It is a great evil, to which many are prone, i. e. keep- ing of vain and idle company, which has brought many young men, and young women to their utter ruin and destruction, both body and soul. How many fair estates have been v/asted ! How many fine youths have beea destroyed by keeping evil company, and by excess ini" drinking, it is really lamentable to consider ! It keeps the poor in poverty : it makes the rich many times poor ; and brings both rich and poor into disgrace : it breaks and destroys llie health and natural good constitation ®f M m m -iod A LETTER TO A FRIIND IN IRELAND. the body, and Instead thereof fills it with misery and pain : and, v\ hich is yet moiv.% it destroys the soul, which is the m(»st noble part of man ; so that it is a sore, and three- fold evil ; but the last is the worst, by how much the soul is the more lastinj^ and better part. Several ter- rible instances of this nature I have met with in my travels among the children of men ; three or four of which I may inform thee of; and it may be affecting iinio thee, as it hath often been to my mind, when I have thought thereon. The First Instance of a Young Man, given to III Com- pany and Hard Drinking, The first is of a certain beautiful young man, a physician b} profession, who was much adchcted to ill company, and to drink hard, and was sometimes visited with strong convictions ; in one of which visitations he sent for me, and told me his coiidition, and made solemn covenants, ** If God would but that once spare him, he would not do the like evil again." At thai time it did please the A: mighty to spare him ; but he soon forgot how it had be' n with him, and fell into the same sin again ; al- though he had a most notable admonition in a dream, but a little before. His dream was this, which is very remarkable; we being then at sea, in sight of Great- Britain. He saw in his dream a great and spacious town, the buildings high, and streets broad ; at which he landed, and going uj) the street, he espied a large sign, on which was written in great golden letters, SHAME, to which he went, and at the door stood a v f man, with a can of drmk in her hand, who asked him to drink; to which he replied, " with all his heart, for he said, he had drunk nothing but water a great while ;" so he took the can, and drank a hearty draught, which, as he sisid, nuide him merry, aner and then ta his bed: and in his sickness he several times sent for me and made serious acknowledgments of his " former mis- pent time, and hoped, if the Lord would spare him, to be moi-e careful for the time to come." But he was no long- er to be trusted here in this world ; for he went not out until he was carried in his coffin : he held my hand fast in his, until he died, and was sensible to the last. One day, as he lay on his death-bed, he called me to him, into his chamber, and " Charged me to caution the young people to be careful how they keep (and spend their time in) evil company, for it had been his ruin, and now lay as a great and heavy burden on his conscience : Oil ! (savs he) if they did but feel one quarter of an hour, what I feel, they never would keep such company any more : tell this to my former companions. " And indeed there is a great deal of hurt done by young men getting together 10 drink wine, or other strong drink : I wish the wo, mentioned in the holy scriptures, may not be the portion of many of them ; " Who are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink ;" and sit late at it, which many times brings suflering on parents, wife, children, and servants, as well as themselves ; and is a very disorderly practice, Ijeing a reproach to all christian societies and families^ wherever such things are. A LETTER T0 A FRIEND TN IRELAND. 453 There is a great concern upon me against this growing evil in our young generation ; and I hope, in Christ our Lord, that divers heads of famihes will come under the like exercise in themselves : and then, if our youth will neither hear nor fear the Lord, nor us, we shall be clear, and their blood will be on their own heads, as a worthy and honourai)le elder, and man of God (of your nation) Said : one of whose offspring is the subject of the third particular, that I shall mention to thee, of the many I have been acquainted with, in my pilgrimage here, in and on this part of the globe of the earth and sea ; for these are but few instances of many that I have met withal : I may therefore thus proceed. The Tliird Instance of another Young 3fan, who much embraced the same Destroying Delights, The fifth of the first month, at Bridgetown, in Barba- does, S. E. son of W. E. died. His death was sudden ; and, as was reasonably supposed, he destroyed himself by drinking and undue company-keeping, and sitting long at it. A person, to whom he himself had told it, told me, " That he and four more, at one sitting, drank above twenty quarts of double-distilled rum punch; which put him in a violent fever : so that he ran about the streets, with a naked sword, and talked of killing one of the neighbours, in this drunken fit." The next day he came to me, and asked me, " Whose door the blood would have lain at, if he had, in that fit of disorder, killed any body ?" By which query, I thought he was not yet rightly come to himself: because there were some ordi- nary reports about the town concerning him, he reckoned those who broached and spread those reports, would have been culpable, and must have answered for the murder, if he had committed any : but this was but cov- ering his sin. He seemed to fall out with religion too ; for he said, '' He would come no more to worship, till he should have 454 A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN IRELAND. justice done him, as to the reports :" though poor soul, he had the more need to present himself before his Ma- ker, and bow before the most high God, and repent in great humiiiatiun. The same day in which he neglected his duty, he was taken sick, and that day week was buried. He sent for me, and I went to him : he had but little sense of his end, as I could perc5"ive, and remained so till the night he died. I was by him when he died, and saw him fetch his last breath. A few minutes before he gave up the gliost, he trembled and shook exceedingly, and shrieked ou , to the astonishment of ail those present, which pierced my very soul within me : for he seemed to go out of the world in an extreme great agony.' I never saw any depart the world any ways like him ; and indeed it was very amazing, and greatly affected my mind with sorrow ; for I thought he was very unfit to die. Oh! me thinks I could heartily wish, that such objects might be as so many strong motives, to stir up and awaken the offspring of good men and virtuous women (as also any professing Christianity) to fear the Lord, and walk in his vvays, whose ways lead to life, in which the stins: of death is taken awav. The children of godly parents have much to answer for, in slighting or neglecting the wholesome counsel, good advice, and faithful admonition, of their faithful and careful parents ; whom they disgrace and dishonour, contrary to the command of God, who says, " Honour thy parents, that thy days may be long in the land, vvhich the Lord thy God giveth thee:" and none can truly honour their parents, who dishonour God their maker. The Fourth Instance of a Young Woman who often ab- sented herself from meetings, for the sake of much Bad Company. The fourth instance, which I shall give thee, is concern- ing a young woman, of about twenty-five years of age ; who was brought up very finely, tenderly, and delicately. A LETTER TO A miEND IN IRELAND. 455 with her lockets and chains of gold, and waiting maid : but her parents living too high for their income, broke in people's debt ; and their children as they grew up, were put to their shifts. What pity it is, that youth are not brought up to some business, whereby they may get a livelihood in the world, if their parents should drop be- fore them ! and though parents may have a handsome interest in this world, yet it has been thought by some great, as well as wise men, that to put out youth to trades and business, is both proliiable and honourable : instances of the evil consequences of the contrary, have been very many, as woful exjxrience doth daily teach us; and this young woman was one: for falling into evil company, she ran into debt, and was put into prisou ; where was a murderer, whom, it was said, she was acces- sary to loose from his chains ; and for so doing was put in chains herself, along with him, when, he was taken again : and now, instead of her gold chain, she must take up with an iron one ; and in a little time is to be tried for life : and in expectation of death, and being in great dis- tress, she sent for me, and entreated me to come ^id see her die, and much lamented her condition : " Oh ! said she, that I might be a warning to all young people, to be careful that they keep not evil company, and spend their time which should be spent in worship, in airy company, and other vain diversions, when they should be doing their duty to God." And then she would weep bitterly ; she being very penitent, it very much affectecl me ; and I told her, " That I did believe, if she in her heart was clear, and no ways consenting to the murder, her life would be given her : but then wo and misery would be her portion, if she did not amend her ways." And as I was leaving her, she charged me, " To warn young peo- ple that they might be careful that they spend not their time in vanity, and to keep out of vain and wicked com- pany," which she said had brought her to that misery and shame : " And that they should take the counsel and advice of good friends, (which if 1 had done, said she), I had not brought reproach on my friends, and on mj parents." 456 A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN IRELAND. In a little time after, she was brought to a trial, and ac- quitted by the jury. I saw her once since, and reminded her of her duty ; which, she said, " She hoped to per- form ; and that it should be a warning to her, while she lived in this world :" and that such examples may be a warning to all people, is the earnest desire of a lover of souls, and servant of Jesus. T. CHALKLEY. Since I wrote the foregoing, there being a person in this place, who would be sometimes overtaken in drink^ I sent it to him to copy over, hoping it might have some good effect on him : and truly before he had copied the relation of the first person, he was so smitten ^vith the sense of the judgement of the Almighty, that he cried out, even to roaring, and said, " He was a condemned person, and that he felt the fire of hell." He sent for me, and several others, and begged of us to pray for him : he was told, " That the hand of God was upon him for sin, and desired to take warning in time, and repent, lest the Lord should cut him off in his iniquity." The Lord did accordingly cut off this person, he dying sud- denly, by hard drinking, as I was informed by a letter from Barbadoes ; though he promised, " If the Lord would spare him then, to be more faithful for the time to come ; and was then under deep inward exercise of mind. I mention this as a corroboration of the above instances, for further admonition. This person was in a consider- able post in that government : his name I forbear to men- tion, for divers reasons. If thou and friends see meet, I could desire, from the exercise that is on my mind, that this might be spread ; peradventure it might have place with some, for their good. LETTER TO A^UTLA PACA, HIGH SHERIFF OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, IN THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND, AND TO OTHER FRIENDS THERE. Barbadoes, 1st of 12th Mo, 1718. Loving friend Aquila Paca, Meeting here with captain Swaddle, bound for your river, I found a concern on my mind to send a few lines, remembering the good opportunities I had at your meet- ing in that neighbourhood, together with those few poor honest souls that I met with there ; and I desire thee to give my dear love in Christ to them. Dear friend, I am tenderly concerned in the love of God, and his dear Son, to beg of thee, that thou let not the world, nor any thing therein, either the riches, pleas- ures, or friendship thereof, draw thy mind from that measure of grace which hath been manifested to thee ; for God hath visited thee in his tender love and mercy, as thou well knowest, and hath begotten good desires in thee, and convinced thee of the holy truth, as it is in Jesus. Oh ! saith my soul, that thou mayst more and more grow therein, to thy bringing forth much good fruit, to the glory of God, and the eternal good of that part in thee, which will never die. Salute me to thy wife and children, and the neighbours, and their children also, all of whom I wish well in this N n n. 4;>8 A LETTER TO AQUILA PACA. world, and also in that which is to corne,the same I wish to all those who love Christ, so as to keep his commandments. If thou seest meet, thou mayst read what follows at the close of } our meeting on a first day, which meeting I hope you keep up in order to worship God in Christ's name; for to such as meet in his mime, he hath promised to be in the midst of them, wherever they so meet; the which, he hath graciously fulfilled at many times. Dear friends, it is in my mind to visit you with the salutation of brotherly love, in our holy Lord Jesus Christ, and ma^ let you know, that though I have becQ long absent from you in body, yet have I been often present in spirit with you, and you have been often in my mind, with prayers to the Lord for your growth in the holy truth, which he hath been pleased to make known to you, and many times I have desired the Almighty, that he would be pleased to preserve a seed in your parts that should serve him, and be accounted to him for a generation. I have also desired that the Lord would visit your young ones, and bring them to the knowl- edge of his truth : and I pray God, that the tender visit- ation that was on divers of them, when I was present with you, may by them never be forgotten, but that they may be plants of righteousness, of God's own right hand planting. And, dear friends, forsake not the assembling of your- selves together, in the name of Christ, remembering how you have been visited with the heart-melting power, and the sweet presence of the Most High, in your silent wait- ing on, and worshipping him in his holy spirit and truths as well as when you have been vocally visited by the min- isters of Jesus. Sue h worshippers (as our Lord said to the woman of Samaria) the heavenly Father seeketh to worship him ; and those whom God finds under such exercise, such find I'iim to be unto them all in all ; he is unto them wis- dom, righteousness, justification, sanctification, and re-