you have been and are doing, if happily you may come to see the evil you have done, and repent and amend; because we must all give an account unto the Lord, of the deeds done in the body, whether good or evil. "What evil have I done, or what law have I transgressed, either against God or man? Show me, if you can, and let it be known to people abroad, what great erime I have committed; or why I have been and am so abused; even such abuses as never were done, I presume, to any prisoner in this city before, either by jailer or others. "I say, what is the cause, why I have been and am now, so threatened and abused, being kept close prisoner in the common jail? Is it for praying to God, or exhorting one another, or warning people to repent, that the jailer hath been so threatened, and charged to take a course with me? who accordingly often hath abused me, also his turnkey, sometimes one, and sometimes both; pulling and haling me off my knees when in prayer to God, both of them at one time taking me by the arm, throwing me down, and dragging me along the floor; threatening sometimes to throw me down the stairs. And yet thieves and robbers, and other evil-doers, have had liberty to worship in their way, without disturbance. your feet as you go, the Lord can break and bow you, and turn all your songs into mourning, and your pride and vain glory, sport, pleasure and pastime, into howling and bitter lamentation, which he assuredly will do, except you repent, and amend your doings with speed, before it be too late.' "Oh! why should people's ears be so shut against that which is good, and so set and bent to hear and do that which is evil; to believe lies rather than truth. Search the Scriptures, and read in fear and with understanding: Prov. xvii. 45. 'A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips, and a liar giveth heed to a naughty tongue.' Jer. v. 21, 22. Hear this, O foolish people, and without understanding, which have eyes, and see not, ears, and hear not.' See Matt. xxviii. 11 to 14; who was it there, whose ears were more desirous to have lies told them than the truth, though by those who were ear and eye-wit nesses? Was it not the chief-priests and elders, who did what in them lay, by holding a counsel together, to keep the truth of Christ's resurrection from the governor's ears; or if it did come to his ear, to endeavour to persuade him with lies? Let search be made amongst you, and examine yourselves, and see whether there be not such chief-priests "Why are your ears so shut, and you so and elders, who do what in them lies to troubled at the sound of truth, while your hinder the truth from coming to people's ears are so open to the contrary? Read the ears, or to persuade them not to believe it. Scriptures, and judge yourselves, wherein you And see Acts vii. 51, 52, who were the stiffare short of a true Christian's practice under necked, Stephen testified against; whom he the Gospel dispensation; which never was to calls uncircumcised in heart and ears? For persecute and imprison for worshipping God. it is said, they stopped their ears, and ran Read Psalm lviii. 1 to 5; and whether you upon him with one accord, because he spoke are not such, who are said to be like the the truth to them; and for the true testimony he deaf adder, that stoppeth her ear and will not bore, they stoned him to death. Read to the hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm-end of the chapter, and there you may find ing never so wisely.' 'Do your ears hear reproof, or do you hate reproof, and refuse instruction? Consider your states and conditions what they are?" 'Be not deceived, God is not mocked, such as every one of you sow, such shall you reap. They that sow to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but they that sow to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.' What must you reap, think you? When will it enter into your hearts to consider, you who daily sow lying, swearing and drunkenness, whoredom and pride, which are grown to that height in your city, as though they should win it the crown. But woe to the crown of pride, for it must be plagued.' 'And though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished.' 'Though your brows be like brass, and your necks as iron sinews, and though you walk with stout and lofty looks, and tinkle with your examples, you stoners, who have thrown stones at us, and at our prison windows, for no other cause, than speaking the word of truth unto you, in love to your souls. And in Acts xvii. 18 to 20, see who it was in the city of Athens, that called Paul a babbler, or base fellow, a setter forth of strange gods; for no other reason, but because he preached Jesus and the resurrection, calling it a new doctrine, and said, he brought strange things to their ears (and yet true,) but they liked not to hear it; and so some of them mocked, and others said, ' We will hear thee again of this matter.' "Now all people search the Scriptures and see with the light of Jesus Christ, 'The true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world;' of what kind your deeds are: for Christ saith, 'This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their verse. 'No unclean thing can enter into the deeds are evil; for every one that doth evil kingdom of Christ and of God.' Did not he hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, suffer for the sins of all, that all through him lest his deeds should be reproved; but he that might believe? and they that believe not, are doth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds condemned already.' may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.' "I say unto all you in whom there are any living desires and breathings to come out of the broad way that leads to destruction, where many go and walk, come into the narrow way, which few find. "Consider in the fear of the Lord, what manner of lives you live, and what fruits you bring forth, and see if the light of Christ, the spirit of Truth, the faithful and true witness of God, his grace or word nigh unto you, placed in your hearts and consciences, does not condemn you; and if your hearts condemn you, God is greater; but if your hearts condemn you not, then have you confidence towards God. "If any say, If I should believe in this light, grace, word nigh, witness of God, or spirit of Truth, which are all one, what will it do for me; for some say it is but a natural light? I answer; It is a teacher in the heart and conscience, teaching to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.' Mark, not ungodly or rudely, as many do. This the light of Christ, the grace of God, the spirit of Truth, will do for thee, if thou lovest it, and believest in it when thou art tempted to sin, power from God will be given unto thee, through it, which thou hast not of thyself, to overcome the wicked one in his temptations; for it is no sin to be tempted, but the sin is, to enter into the temptation. Thus power is given over the temptation, and so over sin; one temptation and sin after another is gradually overcome; for as many as believe in him, who said 'I am the light,' to them he gives power to become the sons of God. He redeems them out of the state of the sons and daughters of the first Adam, who is of the earth earthly, into the condition of the sons and daughters of the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, the quickening Spirit who never fell, (1 Cor. xv. 45, 46, 47.) who says, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open unto me, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me.' Rev. iii. 20. "Is not He at the door of your hearts, to call you to repentance, by his light, grace, and holy Spirit? And if there be not a believing in him by obeying the same, what availeth his death and suffering to you, and the shedding of his precious blood for you, if sin be not finished here, and transgression put to an end? Ephes. v. 5, and read to the 21st, "Was not sin the cause wherefore he suffered; and if the cause, through faith in him, be not taken away, how shall the effect cease? but if the cause through faith in him be taken away, then the effect ceaseth, and everlasting felicity, world without end, ensueth. "So all people, in tender love to your souls, I exhort you, while you have time, to prize it and make good use of it; seriously consider what effects your faith and belief in Christ have wrought, in order for your salvation and freedom from sin, that always separates from God; for as saith John, This is that which gives victory over the world, even your faith;' and if your faith be not such, ye cannot come to know the victory over the world, and the evil that is in it. Let none think that the name of a Christian will save him; for to have a Christian's name, and yet to be found in the practice of the heathen, does not make a Christian. It is the life and practice of Christianity, lived in, through faith in Christ, that makes Christians, and not barely saying you believe; which life and practice is a 'life of holiness, without which none shall see the Lord.' "Now to the faithful and true witness of God in your hearts and consciences, that will either accuse or excuse, I commend these things, to be weighed and truly considered by you in moderation and the fear of the Lord, as becomes Christians, and what manner of life, conversation, and practice, is found amongst you. Know ye not,' saith the apostle, 'that to whom ye yield yourselves to obey, his servants ye are, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.' For when the book of your conscience comes to be opened, with that other book which is the book of life; according as your deeds and actions shall be found therein, so shall your reward be: in which day of general resurrection, we must all appear before the tribunal of God's glory and judgment seat, to receive the sentence, either Come, ye blessed;' or 'Go, ye cursed.' "From one who truly wisheth and desireth the welfare and preservation both of the bodies and souls of all people; and hates nothing but the evil in any; and yet am a sufferer in outward bonds for the testimony of Jesus and of a good conscience, "JOHN BANKS. "Given forth in the common jail in the city of Carlisle, Cumberland, the 30th day of the Seventh month, 1684." be well with us, when time here shall be no more. "Dear children, "Carefully mind the performance of your duty towards God daily, fearing and obeying him, in what you know of him by his light and grace in your hearts, be it never so little; for as you are faithful in the little, the Lord will make you rulers over more. And as you thus come to know a growth and increase, you will also come to understand what it is to have heavenly treasure in earthen vessels; which is far better than earthly riches and worldly glory, with strife and contention. The sixth day of the week, and also the first-day following, being the 3d and 5th days of the eighth month, so soon as the jailer perceived we were met together, being thirty-eight prisoners, he sent his turnkey to take us all away, one by one, and put us in a back room to have our meeting, and then let us go to our places. But growing weary of this work, the sound of my voice still reaching to the street, he sought out a place in the city to his mind; and removed both himself and us, and placed us in rooms back from the street, in a court enclosed with gates, which he ordered to be shut when our meeting began, especially on the first-days. Since we were so removed "Truth prospers very much hereaway; and placed, we have enjoyed our meetings great desires are begotten in many people pretty peaceably, both as to the jailer and the after the way thereof; meetings are full and rest of the city; and gained our freedom and large almost everywhere in the counties, liberty, not only in prison and in and about where I have of late been, and in Somersetthe city, but at times to go home, far beyond shire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire. It was thought what could have been expected; praises, hon- there were near a thousand people at the our, and glory for evermore be unto the Lord meeting at Spiceland, where I was yesterday; our God, who never leaves nor forsakes his yea, the work is great here, but the labourers people, that stand faithful in their testimony are very few among themselves. Oh that the for him. He by his great power is with Lord would be pleased to fit, prepare, and them, to uphold and preserve them; and also send forth more! I hope I may say, and exin his own time to work their deliverance, clude all boasting, The Lord hath been pleased and to give them dominion and victory over to make my service not only acceptable to all their enemies; endless praises over all unto many, but effectual to answer the end wherehim who rules and reigns for ever and ever-fore he hath sent me; so that my travel and more. Amen! After I was liberated by the act of grace, I travelled in the work of the ministry into the West of England, where I wrote the following letters to my wife and children. "Dear wife, together with my dear children, "My heart being open in the love of God, in a living remembrance of you all, as at many other times, when my supplications are put up unto the Lord for his people; I could do no less than write a few lines to express how I am concerned for your growth and prosperity in the truth, every one. in your several mea sures. "The Lord beget and increase love in your hearts to him, and one towards another; that therein you may feel life and true tenderness to spring afresh in your souls, as a testimony that you are kept near unto the Lord, in an inward waiting and dependance in fear before him. It is these who are kept near unto the Lord in their hearts, who are living, fresh, and tender; for he causes his heavenly rain and gracious showers to be poured forth upon them, and the springs of life to bubble up in them, that they are made to say, What manner of love is this, wherewithal the Lord our God hath loved us! and what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy life and conversation? to the end that we may live and die the death of the righteous; that so it may All exercises are made very sweet and comforta- 66 "JOHN BANKS. "From Spiceland, in Devonshire, the 25th of the Third month, 1691." In the time of her sickness she was very patient and content unto the last, being sensible of her inward condition and end; telling me she must leave me, that it was well with her, and that it would be well with her for ever. better than all earthly enjoyments, which neighbours, several hundreds of whom were are but for a moment. Surely methinks I at her burial. am always with you, in travail and concern of mind for your preservation every way, as I hope you are with me, in my travels and various exercises both of body and spirit, which the Lord hath been pleased to make sweet and comfortable unto me; and I believe hath also blessed my endeavours and labour of love for the good of many where I have travelled. It is the great rejoicing of my soul to see the work of the Lord prosper, which he is hastening in the earth, for his own seed's sake: blessed are all who answer him by obedience when he calls, and in faithfulness continue unto the end; unto which, with my own soul, the Lord preserve you all. Amen!" By these, thou with all thine, and Friends, may know that I am well every way; high praises unto the worthy name of the Lord for ever! She also said she hoped I would be, as I had been, a careful and tender father to her children, who were dear and near to her. And in some time after, ended her days in peace with the Lord; and I am well satisfied of her eternal well-being. Though our separation by death was the greatest trial I ever met with, yet the Lord in whom I trust, was and is my preserver, in that and many other deep trials and exercises; to whom I am deeply engaged in all humility, to give the praise, and return him honour and glory, who is God over all; blessed for ever. Amen! I have used much brevity in respect to many of my journies and exercises, not being "I came to this city the last sixth-day, and willing to make a great volume; it remains to have had five meetings since; in all which, be noticed, that often I have visited Friends' the Lord was pleased to appear effectually by meetings from Cumberland to London, and in his power and life-giving presence. Meetings London, and into the West of England, in my here are very full and peaceable, and many way thither and home, both before and after people have great desires after the truth. Oh! the Yearly Meetings; and in many other that those who have long made profession journies beside, from the year 1688, to the thereof, may be found good examples in their year 1702. places, so as to answer the testimony of truth, and the witness of God in people's consciences, which would greatly tend to further his work, and cause truth to prevail more upon people; which the contrary hinders; wherefore blessed are the faithful. "London, the 9th of the Fifth month, 1691." "JOHN BANKS. The above is the last letter I wrote to my dear wife, Anne Banks. She died the 2nd day of the tenth month, after the date of the aforesaid letter, early in the morning; and was buried the fourth-day after, in the burying-place of Friends at Eglesfield, in Cumberland. We lived comfortably together many years, and she was a careful industrious woman, bringing up her children in good order as became the truth, in speech, behaviour, and habit; a meet-help and a good support to me in my travels, always ready and willing in truth's service; and was never known to murmur, though I often had to leave her with a weak family, notwithstanding the exercises in many affairs she had to pass through. She was well beloved amongst Friends and her This year, going to London to the Yearly Meeting, I sent the following letter to my children. "My dear love in the truth, is hereby remembered unto you and Friends; by these you and they may know that I am well, with your brethren and sisters. I am in haste, being the tenth hour at night; and I with seven Friends from Ireland here, take our journey towards Chester early to-morrow, if the Lord will, for that nation; and therefore have not time to write to you what I desire. "We have had a long and tedious time with that contentious man, George Keith, for several days together; he is of a very turbulent and troublesome spirit, vexatious to the church of Christ; but the power of God, for all his quarrelling, is over him, and the life of our meeting run in one channel, to set the judgment of truth upon his head; for it was clearly made manifest unto us, in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, that he was not only gone into and entertained the spirit of division and separation, but of envy and deep deceit; by which he warred strongly, to prove Friends in the ministry to preach false doctrine, and himself the true, chiefly about the body of Christ, and the light within. But by the unruliness of his spirit, and the dark ness that he is gone into, he hath so mani- "We had a very heavenly meeting here in fested himself, that all his enticing words their new meeting-house, where never meetcould take no place with us. The Lord pre-ing was before; and are to have a meeting serve Friends in the innocency and simpli- to-morrow at Youghall, next day at Cork, city of the truth, where is true unity, peace and safety from the destroyer; for wit and wisdom, in the strength of man's reason, darken and stop the springs of life. "Your loving father, "London, the 8th of the Fourth month, 1694." 66 JOHN BANKS. I travelled through the nation of Ireland five times; and once from Carrickfergus to Dublin, being the first time, though I omit, for brevity sake, to mention how I travelled from place to place, and the length of time and number of miles. I also travelled in Scotland and there visited the people of God, and in the Isle of Mann. While I was in Ireland, I wrote the following letters to my children. where the province Six-week's meeting begins; two meetings there the first-day, and men's and women's meeting the second-day; and are to go ten miles to a meeting on thirdday, at Bandon; fourteen miles to a meeting further west on fourth-day; forty-eight miles back again by Cork, to a meeting at Charleville, on sixth-day. 66 My acceptable companion, James Lan- "Waterford in Ireland, the 4th of the their natural inclinations are too often aspiring; that is, climbing up and getting high. "Dear children, John and Mary, "The love of God unto you hath been "That true love and fatherly care which such, as to give you a knowledge of himself, chiefly attends me concerning you is, that you in and through Jesus Christ, the true and may grow in grace and saving knowledge, saving light; and that which is required of which edify the soul; and in a sense and you is obedience, and a diligent walking feeling of that, witness the divine touches of therein, in all fear, humility and lowliness the love of God, to tender your hearts before of mind; for that greatly tends to make sure him, among his people, and at other times. the steps, in the way of truth and righteous- Carefully follow those things, in the course ness; and it is such the Lord teacheth, viz, of your life, that make for peace with him, the humble, by his pure light and grace. according to the teachings of his holy Spirit; Oh! that a daily care may attend you to by which the Lord hath measurably given follow him in all faithfulness, in answer to you a knowledge of himself and his will; his blessed requirings, whether in words or what he would have you to do, and how to actions, at home or abroad; for this is well- walk before him, and all people. Oh! therepleasing unto him, and a rejoicing unto my fore, that you may fear, love, and obey him soul; who am still under a weighty concern with all your hearts; so will you be kept and tender care for your preservation every humble and low, which is safe and good for way, in that which is good; and more es-all, but more especially for youth, because pecially seeing the Lord hath been pleased to take your dear mother from us. I have no greater joy than to know that you grow in the truth; and that you are loving and tenderly affectionate one to the other, in patience and quietness of mind bearing one with another, in all affairs wherein you are concerned; so will your undertakings be more easy and comfortable unto you. Do what in you lies to keep to meetings, and be condescending one to the other therein; and when you are met together with the Lord's people, let the fear and dread of the Lord be upon you, that you may be kept in all diligence in waiting upon him, daily to feel the work of his spirit in your hearts, to work you into true tenderness and brokenness; that you may grow up, and bring forth fruit, to the praise and glory of the Lord, and your enduring comfort; which is my hearty prayer unto the Lord on your behalf. VOL. II.--No. 2. "But the truth, which is his love to the sons and daughters of men, manifested in and through Jesus Christ, being kept to and lived in, humbles the heart and brings and keeps down the wild nature; where safety from many hurtful things is experienced. "By these, you and my friends may know, that I, with my companion J. L., are well, praises be given to him who lives for ever! We have travelled through the south and west of this nation to this place, a second time; and intend, if the Lord will, to go towards the north the next second-day. And, if I find myself clear, when I have gone through the north, I may turn homeward; which if so, will be some time in the eighth month; but this is more than I yet clearly see, and so must leave it at present. "The work is great in this nation, and the 6 |