and in great fear and trouble I continued many days and weeks, earnestly crying to the Lord for a clear understanding of his will, concerning this matter of impropriation. who have been convinced of the evil thereof, pled not to pay it, not knowing it to be tithes and stood firm to their testimony, by patiently in the ground, and that it is upon the same suffering in the "meek spirit of the Lamb," foundation as other tithes, and granted and that ravening, devouring spirit, had been well maintained by the same power, and recovered nigh famished; and the consumption deter- by the same law. I say, we ignorantly paid mined by God Almighty, would have been it, till it pleased the Lord to open our undermuch more on that spirit of persecution by standings. It was customary with the colthis time. But, oh! as it was of old, so it is lectors of this impropriation, to contract with now, unfaithfulness makes the work go on us who rented farms, for so much money to slowly, and the journey more tedious. But, be paid yearly; and the contract which my blessed be God, there is a small remnant who husband had made and signed with the colare fully given up to follow their true Shep- lectors, some time before his death, being now herd, Christ Jesus, who is come in the power expired, they came to me to renew it with of his Spirit, and is revealed in a remnant, them, to which I consented. But after it was who are thereby enabled to stand as witnesses done, a fear possessed me, lest I had done for God, against all hireling preachers and what was not "right in the sight of God," time-servers; for his purpose is, to set his Son and much reasoning I had in my mind about on the top of all hills, and mountains of show, it. The concern grew heavier upon my mind, and shadows of religion. It is my belief, that by the assistance of that grace which is come by Christ Jesus, many more will be raised to bear witness to the free ministry of the Lamb of God; and happy, yea, thrice happy, will every one be, who serves God with all his heart, and all his outward substance too, if He calls for it. Oh! let no one withhold anything the Lord requires, but remember, "the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; and the cattle on a thousand hills are his, and he knows what we need." If a time of stripping from these outward enjoyments is suffered, it is but for a trial of our faith. Oh! that not one who may be deeply tried, may faint, or distrust the Lord, "whose care and whose eye is over the righteous, and whose ear is open to their prayers." And as all come to trust in his name, the God of Israel will care for them, and appear in a way and by a means they think not of; so that he will be found "a God nigh at hand, and a present help in every needful time." Therefore, let I would have all know, that I had no other all that fear his name trust in him; "for the end, but God's honour and my own peace, life is more than meat, and the body than rai- which I valued more than all outward enjoy. ment;" and to every one that trusts in him, ments that this world can afford. This is a he will give "life for the soul, and bread for sincere account why I paid, and why I rethe body;" as he hath done for me in a won-fused; let the judgments of men be what they derful manner. will, I have peace with my God, and he shall have the praise for ever. Here it may not be unfit to mention something of my own suffering on the account of impropriation, for the information of some who have heard a report thereof, and may be misinformed: for I am concerned that none may be deceived, and say, or do that which may bring trouble upon themselves; for some have taken the liberty to reflect upon me on the one hand, and some on the other. The impropriation of Watford seemed to differ from most, if not all in England, in this particular; it was a dowry of the lady Essex, and no part of it either belongs to church or priest; and through ignorance Friends scru On the other hand, a fear was upon my heart, lest I should do that which the Lord required not at my hand; and thereby bring sorrow and sufferings upon myself and family, and not find peace in the end. Great was my trouble, and many nights and days of sorrow I had, which brought me very weak in body, near unto the grave. To suffer for suffering sake I never desired; and to suffer for well-doing, the Lord knew my heart to be wholly given up to his will only I cried, "Lord, let me be fully satisfied that I suffer for well-doing!" This was my earnest supplication; and in his own time, he was pleased to answer my prayers, and fully satisfy me: and I bless God, who gave me power cheerfully to go through all my sufferings upon that account. The way in which it pleased the Lord to satisfy me herein, was after this manner: I got a few Friends together to have the matter of impropriation fully discoursed upon; and there were two sensible Friends who discoursed upon the subject, the one for paying it, the other against it. He who was for paying did not then see it to be the same with tithe, because it paid no priest, nor any part of it belonged to the church of England; but the other Friend so plainly proved it to be the same in the ground, that I was fully satisfied, and so were all the rest who were at the meet ing; and the Friend who opposed the other, was himself convinced and afterwards refused to pay it, and faithfully suffered for the same. and handmaid of the Lord, Elizabeth Stamper; and without boasting, I can truly say, from that time to this, I have been very careful to obey his holy mind and will, as it hath The greatest part of the foregoing was writ- been made manifest to me. And for the enten some years ago; and having since seen couragement of others to faithfulness, I have much of the wonders of the Lord in the deep, not, since I knew the Lord, been one day I find a concern upon my mind, to add some- without his presence, more or less; so that, thing as the Lord shall enable, for the en- blessed be God, I have had no complaining in couragement of my offspring, for whom I my streets; for I have said, and do say, if travail in spirit, and for all the babes and there was no future reward, the present comlambs of God, and for the mourners in Sion, fort of obedience, is sufficient encouragement who go heavily on. For the sake of these, I to the children of men to fear God, and keep am made willing to say a little more of the his commandments. Those who do, may well kindness of God to the workmanship of his live thereby; that is, by the life of the Son of hand, and to call to faithfulness from a deep God; for he is come indeed that we may have sense of the need there is of it. And I may life, and it is in obedience that the aboundings say, in the bowedness of my spirit, that I have of it are known. And this great kindness of no might of my own, nor power, nor ability, | God to mankind, is not by any merits of ours, but what he shall be pleased to give me: and but of his great mercy for his Son's sake. let nothing be attributed to that monster, self, which too often appears both in preachers and writers, and proves like the "fly in the ointment of the apothecary." I do heartily pray that I may wash my hands in innocency, and be preserved clean from that fault; that God only, who is the Author of all good, may have the praise, from me and every creature that hath breath.Wonderful have been his favours and mercies to me above thousands: one half of his mercies I am not able to set forth. What I have seen and felt this year, 1708, is unutterable, being a year wherein I was "led into the deeps," and beheld much of the wonders of the Lord, more abundantly than I am able to express; neither indeed do I as yet see it required at my hand; therefore I shall only give the Lord his praise, and admire his wonderful doings, for I can truly say, "it is marvellous in my eyes." When very weak in body, I have been led by the Spirit in the low valley of deep humility. Surely, as there is a coming into near communion with Christ the Lord, there will be a very great abasement in the creature, and all flesh will be brought to silence in his presence, that his voice may be heard, and his goings seen in the temple, with what majesty he appears there. Oh! excellent it is, and very glorious to behold! and that my soul may dwell before the Lord is what with great humility and tears I beg at his bountiful hand. In the living faith that crowns with victory, I have a hope in me, that as I continue in well-doing to the end, for his Son's sake, I shall arrive at the desired port and haven of rest, where all the righteous sing hallelujah for evermore. Through his precious blood we have all these great benefits which do accrue to both soul and body, in our submission to his yoke, and in learning of him, who was the pattern in every age. Moses, in the mount, did his work according to the pattern, by the wisdom of our God; and David, his servant, gave orders unto his son Solomon and the elders, how to carry on and build that great house which was glorious in its time. How much more glorious is this dispensation of light and grace, which shines from the Son himself, the express image of the Father, into our hearts; whereby we may now see our way, and follow the pattern, and need not stumble where thousands have fallen! Some have stuck too fast in forms and shows of good things, which were but shadows, because they will not come to the substance, the pattern by the Spirit, which is sufficient to teach all things necessary for eternal salvation. Therefore, if men will stumble here, it must be, " because they love darkness rather than light," and to be spiritually in Egypt, a slave under Pharaoh, than to come where light and good are to be enjoyed. Oh! what shall be said to stir up the sons of men, that they may be awakened, and no longer sleep in the bed of ignorance? Arise, and come away to the school of Christ, who is this pattern of whom I have been speaking. A measure of his own pure Spirit he hath given to every one; that they may learn thereby, and read inwardly, and ask so as to receive. For what is asked by faith, and in the measure of his Spirit, he will surely answer in his own time. And as times and seasons are in his hands, so he, in his wisdom, knows when it will be best to deliver the creature out It pleased the Lord to make known his truth of trouble, and bring honour to his own name, to me, about the year 1680, by that servant | who is worthy of all praise; for he is an all. seeing God, and no affliction or trouble can be hid from him. Yet he will be sought unto and waited on; and they that know him will trust in him; for these know him "to be a God at hand, and a present help in the needful time," as my soul hath witnessed: glory to his worthy name for evermore. in which the righteous have trusted to this day. And the living can now say, It is the same as it was in the beginning-a canopy over the righteous, and a safe hiding-place in time of trouble, when instruments of cruelty are let loose, and greedy to do mischief. Such as swear, or lie, or cheat, or commit adultery, or lead a life in any other evil, let me prevail with them to repent, and forsake the evil of their ways, and the sins that so easily beset; and do the devil's drudgery no longer. He is an ill master, and the wages that he gives are such as he has for his own Oh! you into whose hands these lines may come, be in earnest for your soul's welfare, while health and strength of body are afforded. Seek God with all your hearts; that you may come to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ; and witness an acquaintance with him, by waiting on him frequently. | doings. Therefore, all ye who are at a dis. Then, when the time of weakness takes hold upon you, and no worldly means will avail, you will know the angel of his presence to stand by you till death: this will be more joy than ten thousand worlds at that hour. Oh! the strength of love! surely the love of God is to the children of men, that they may prize time while they have it, and make all things ready that appertain to eternal life. This is to answer the end of our being, which is "to glorify God, and to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling," which must be done, if ever, in the time afforded unto men in this world. tance from God, by reason of evil, put it far away by true and timely repentance, that you may know what it is to be "washed with the water of regeneration," and cleansed from sin by the blood of the Lamb. So may you witness the renewings of his favour, which will be as the balm of Gilead, that will thoroughly heal the wound, and make you strong, and fit for the service of Christ our Lord: he is the best Master that ever man or woman served, and gives eternal life. But all who come to him, "must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," and they cannot serve two masters. They must renounce the devil, their old master, and all his works, with the pomps and vanities of this world, and, like good soldiers, follow the Captain of their salvation, in all perseverance, through good report and bad report, and keep to the standard-the Spirit of Truth. If you do this you may pray to the Giver for what you stand in need of, let it be bread for soul or for body, or for faith, or hope, or courage, or the armour of light, or whatever else your wants may be. Take courage and ask, and you shall receive double comfort for all you undergo for Christ's sake and the Gospel; and for the life which you have lost, which you had in vanity and evil, you shall find a life a hundred fold exceeding, in peace and inward joy by the holy Spirit. Submit to the will of God, who hath called you with a high calling, that you should hear his Son, and obey him in all things unto the end. Then be good soldiers like that blessed apostle, who fought the good fight, Oh! who would not be a follower of the |and kept the faith. Oh! faithful soldiers ! Lord, who can help both outwardly and in | wardly, all those that stand for him and the honour of his name; whose name is a tower of safety, and hath stood, in his own power, against all the instruments that the devil hath raised in every age to push at the children of God! In every dispensation the bad have troubled the good; yea, the lion is still for tearing the lamb, and the wolf is hunting for his evening prey. But glory be to God, the true Shepherd is known, and his power felt, Wherefore be wise, ye children of men, and come and learn of Christ, and follow him; for he ever gained the victory, and hath all power in heaven and earth committed to him. Resolve, by the help of his grace, to follow on wherever he will lead you: for assuredly, he will give you power to tread on scorpions, and to keep under you every foul spirit. And in your obedience you will be watchful in the light, by which you may see every appear ance of evil; resist it by the assistance of the Spirit, and not give it any entertainment. Remember that you are soldiers under the banner of the unconquered Captain, Christ Jesus, who always stood by his own in every age; so that in faithfulness they went out of this world, though it hath been a field, where the saints and martyrs have sealed with their blood their testimonies for our God and the Lamb, who was their Captain, and brought them off with victory, bearing his mark. Be come on, and be not fearful or faint-hearted, broken forth by his Son to enlighten the chil dren of men in the heart. His spirit and great power hath been stronger than the power of darkness, pulling down and spoiling the works of the old adversary, yea, and binding and casting him out; fitting the creature for his heavenly building, to be as a stone or a pillar in this his latter house, which God is building of living stones, disallowed indeed by the In faithfulness all will end well. God's care tacy. Blessed be God, who is the Spirit of over his children and people is the same in light and of purity, and hath now eminently every age. I am a witness of it, a poor worm, an unprofitable servant; for if I have obeyed his command, it is but what was, and is, my reasonable duty. The Scriptures are verified, where it is said; "His eye is over the righteous, and his ear is open to their cry;" for he is the God and Father of mercies, and delights to meet with his own to do them good. He takes no pleasure in afflicting the children of men, further than to bring them into sub-worldly wise of this day, but approved of jection to his Son; and that they thereby may God, who is the Chief Corner Stone, and come to know the state of sonship, and learn Lord of all. submission to his heavenly will. His will is, We read of some of old, who said, “What that all men everywhere repent, and come to shall we do, that we may work the works of the knowledge of the truth, and be saved with God? And the answer was by one who well an everlasting salvation; saved from sin, and knew: "This is the work of God, that ye befrom the wrath due to the same. This is lieve in Him whom God hath sent." Oh! it freedom indeed, to be made free by the Lord is a matter of sorrow, to think that men and of all power, who said to the Jews, "If the women should be so backward in their belief Son make you free, then you are free indeed." on the Son of God, in his spiritual appearance Oh! that men would strive for this freedom, in the heart; but blessed be God, a remnant and believe in the sufficiency of that grace have believed, and thereby can cry " Abba, that is come by Jesus Christ, and appears in Father," because he hath done that in them, the heart to convince of sin in its first bud- and for them, by the operation of his mighty ding! By the strength of this grace, it may power, which no other could do. Thereby be crushed as the cockatrice egg, and be cast we know that the Son of God is come and has out by the assistance of the spirit, which is given us an understanding, that we may know one with the grace of God. The effect of the Him that is true, even Christ in us, the hope of grace and coming of Jesus, is indeed to save glory; which is as an anchor, sure and steadpeople from their sins; and to them who will fast, and never failed when the wind blew, or be his, and believe that he has all power com- the rain descended, and floods of affliction mitted to him in heaven and earth, and had swelled high. No, no, it never failed, for the the victory over the world, the flesh, and the foundation is a tried one, a rock immoveable devil, he can, and doth give power. Stronger in every age. All that have built on it, and is he that is in us, to wit, Christ by his spirit, so continued, have stood fast and sure; while than he that is in the world; and more pow- those who have built upon the sand have suf erful is Jesus to save, than the devil is to com- fered great loss, when time has come to an pel men to sin; for he can but tempt. Yield-end, and their foundation has been tried, and ing to his temptation brought misery upon our found to be but sand. Oh! it will be dreadful first parents; and yielding is the cause of misery still. The second Adam, the Lord from heaven, the Restorer of mankind, did not say, that we should not be tempted, or have no onset in the field, where this usurper goeth, and hath his food-the earth and the dust thereof. He that was so bold as to approach and tempt the Lord of glory, will no doubt assault his followers: and the Lord, who well knew what we should meet with, advised and counselled to watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation; which was as much as if he had said, "If anything that is evil trouble you, touch it not; but pray to me, and I will assist you:" so that it is the Lord who worketh this deliverance. God must have the praise, who is worthy, for his own works praise him, because they are wonderfully made manifest in this age of the world, after so long and dark a night of apos 66 to go out of time into eternity, in the displea their own ways, and doing their own work. who will not, or do not believe in the light of Oh! lost time, the field, and the pearl also! Christ, and in the sufficiency of it; such must Therefore, better will it be to mind the work lie down in sorrow. And to all who assert, of God, that by faith in the Son, you may that there is no state of redemption from sin witness him to work all your works in you, to be witnessed on this side of the grave, I and for you, of his own good pleasure. There is nothing for man to boast, or glory in; he is to be pliable as the clay in the hand of the potter, till he is made a vessel to his praise. God hath no delight in the death of him that dieth, but rather that men should obey his commands and live; or surely, he would not set life and death, good and evil, before them, and say, "Choose ye." This seems to render it very plain, that there is a choice for mankind, and an offer of salvation while in this world; so that men and women may choose life, by believing in Christ; or refuse it, by unbelief, which leads from God and the Lord Jesus, into death and darkness. But blessed be God, who hath brought a remnant to the knowledge of his light, and to obedience also; such are made living witnesses of the sufficiency of his grace, like the apostle of old, who, when in great buffetings and temptations, found it effectual; though we find he had been in a state, whereof he cries out, "Oh! wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" And again, “I am carnal, sold under sin." This was a mournful state with Paul for a season: when sorrow possessed his heart, he cried to God, who was able to help him, and in due time he came to witness the sufficiency of his grace to bring him out of that state, to know a better condition, and to say, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; for the law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Oh! the blessed freedom that came to believers in that early day, by Jesus Christ; and blessed be God, it is the same in this day as it was then; for this grace, which is come by Jesus Christ, doth not only enlighten men and women, to let them see their sinful condition, but gives power to the soul to help it out of thraldom. And as there is faithfulness in the creature, the sufficiency of the grace is still witnessed, to lead from one degree of strength to another so that here they have to thank God, as the apostle did, and can say, "In Him there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning," for he is the same as ever, to those who believe and follow Christ Jesus, Paul's and all the apostles' leader, and still the true believer's guide. And every faithful follower of Jesus hath this to say, and that not boastingly, that revelation has not ceased, nor is the Gospel hid, but to them that are lost by unbelief, and VOL. II.-No. 3. say, such have great reason to cry out, that they are full of putrefied sores, and that they have no soundness in them. These are sad complaints indeed; and how can it be otherwise, while they plead for the devil's kingdom, which is sin and darkness, and confusion? Oh! therefore, let me prevail with all to be reconciled to God, by believing in his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, and by and through whom you may find acceptance, who is the Advocate indeed; of which a remnant are living witnesses, blessed be God, even those who have believed in the power of his inward appearance, in which there is victory obtained over the world, the flesh, and the devil. Oh! happy souls, that can thus believe in his name; these shall be baptized with Christ's own baptism, even with the Holy Ghost and with fire; that is, by his pure spirit and word entering into their hearts, as a fire against every appearance of evil, to burn it up, and destroy it in its first appearance. Oh! that the children of men would be wise, and fear God, and call upon his name, while the door of mercy is open, that their souls may live. For this I heartily pray, because I have tasted of the good word of God, and have known something of the power of the world to come: and, having tasted both of his mercy and judgment, I can do no less than invite and entreat all to be faithful to the Lord, and to all his requirings; that, in the winding up of all things, God may have the praise, who is everlastingly worthy; and our poor souls find the joy and comfort that none else can give or take away. A Testimony from our Monthly Meeting at Tottenham, held the 25th day of the Eleventh month, 1720, concerning our deceased Friend, ALICE HAYES; with an account of some of her dying sayings. OUR dear and well-beloved Friend, Alice Hayes, was born of honest parents at Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire, in the year 1657, who educated and brought her up in the profession of the church of England, as appears by her own account. It pleased the Lord to make known his truth to her, by that servant of the Lord, Elizabeth Stamper, sister to Francis Stamper, about the year 1680. She was called forth into the work of the ministry, and concerned to visit the churches in several parts of this nation. 11 |