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This shows, my dear father, that we are not saved by Christ without us, but by Christ within; or his spirit, which is one. I stand as a monument to testify that an outward belief alone will not do for us: we must know his refining fire within us to burn up the dross, and to purge out the old leaven of malice and wickedness; until Christ become all in all to us. All shadows, signs, laws and figures which point to him, must give way and cease, when the true substance comes; for then we are the heirs according to promise. It was by faith Abraham was justified, before the works of the law. Now look at this figure: Abraham had two sons, one by a bond-woman, the other by a free. The bond-woman's son was born after the flesh, but the son of the free-woman was by promise. And observe, he that was born after the flesh always persecuted him that was born after the spirit. But the bond-woman and her son are to be cast out; and not to be heirs with the free. "So then we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free." "For we through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." For we are not justified by the works of outward ordinances, or signs, or laws, but by the hearing of faith. For Christ hath blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Wherefore, since we are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are we subject to ordinances? And praises are due to him who hath led us out of the dark bondage of these things, into his marvellous light and freedom: therefore we "touch not, taste not, handle not." Outward baptism is a figure. Read the 11th VOL. XII.-4

and 12th verses of the second chapter to the Colossians, and it will answer thee concerning circumcision. The baptism of infants is no where commanded in the scriptures; the Lord's supper is likewise a sign.

My dear father, did not the evangelists foretell a departure from the true faith, and say that antichrist was then come. They could say, they went out from us, and their works made them manifest. The apostle, writing to the Thessalonians, tells them not to be troubled, as that the day of Christ was at hand; "for that day shall not come," said he, "except there come a falling away first," that the son of perdition might be manifested, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God. "For," said Paul, "the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy with the brightness of his coming."

Thou represents us as unbelievers, or antichrist; but it is not so. Our religion was established by Christ himself more than seventeen hundred years ago. And the Lord by his illuminating spirit hath enlightened the hearts of many in these latter days, giving them to discover this mystery Babylon, that is to be destroyed; whose coming was after the working of satan, with power and signs and lying wonders. The true church hath been hid; as it was said, the woman fled into the wilderness, as a visible, gather ed, spiritual society, and lay in oblivion, as to the world's view, until the year 1654. And as God was pleased to withdraw his undefiled church from the

world, and world's view, into the wilderness, to be for a time hid, until he in his wisdom saw fit to bring her forth again; so we read that John the divine saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And since God in his great wisdom hath seen fit to revive his ancient church from the long dark night of apostacy, and impower vessels chosen and faithful, to preach and spread the gospel again in the earth,—may not he, the great Potter, form what vessels he pleases and send them forth? Joel foretold that in the last days sons and daughters should prophesy, and upon servants and handmaids God would pour out of his spirit, and they should prophesy.— Philip had four daughters, prophetesses. There were also many honourable women we read of, who received the Truth; shall we then say to the Maker, what doest thou? And if we certainly know that we are the called, according to his purpose and will, and sensibly experience the new birth, wherein we are regenerated and born anew by the effectual working of his power (whether in man or woman) what are we that we can withstand God? If we believe him come in the hearts of his saints, and knocking at the door of every man's heart to be received, how can we be saved by him, if we deny him?

O my dear father, be not deceived, for God will not be mocked. If we sow to the flesh, we shall reap corruption; but if we sow to the spirit, we shall reap life everlasting. I may say the goodness of God is great, who hath called and gathered a people, and he hath enlightened me also with them, and given me (in a measure) an undoubted confidence in him;

wherein I can stand in the day of battle, when the floods of opposition and reproach strive to overwhelm. May the everlasting Prince of peace, who came to set the prisoners free from the prison-house,— to open the blind eyes, and unstop the deaf ears,— cause us to see his wonders, to understand his mysteries, and make the lame and halt who cannot walk in the way of his commandments, to leap and rejoice before him.

I have given thee, my father, as far as I am capable, my reasons for changing my principles, or faith (as thee calls it) and I am fully convinced beyond doubt concerning my change, that it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in my eyes. Therefore, my dear father, I leave thee and my dear brothers and sisters in the disposal and providence of a merciful Creator. INCREASE WOODWARD.

Notes on attending the Yearly Meeting in
Philadelphia, 9th month, 1790.

Left home and went to Burlington; but the boat not going till late, a Friend offered me his place in a wagon, with Benjamin Linton and wife, which I accepted; and we lodged at Thomas Lippincott's, eight miles from the city. Next morning got to Philadelphia and attended the select meeting at ten o'clock, and four in the afternoon; in which many weighty testimonies were borne, and the deficiencies pointed out which have crept in amongst ministers and elders and Friends of the foremost rank: remarks were also made concerning their children's running after the fashions of this degenerate age, to the shame of our christian society, and the reproach cast on the blessed Truth. Mary Ridgway, from Ireland, was

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ly Meeting in th, 1790. ngton; but the boat ed me his place in a and wife, which I acas Lippincott's, eight horning got to Philameeting at ten o'clock, which many weighty the deficiencies pointed ongst ministers and elnost rank: remarks were children's running after rate age, to the shame of the reproach cast on the gway, from Ireland, was

there and said she had been exercised for days, weeks and months, on account of a worldly spirit's having gained ascendency among us, by our not keeping in the lowliness of true christian humility.

On first-day, I attended two meetings; in the morning at Fourth street with Rebekah Wright; and the same in the afternoon with Elizabeth Kerlin, who had a little to communicate at a Friend's house previously, in weakness and fear. A Friend from Evesham bore a solid, affecting testimony; putting us in mind of the rod of the Almighty in time past, in order to humble us; as also his threatening voice in spreading an unknown disorder so universally over the land: so that if it had increased, and his judgments had not been mixed with mercy, where had we been ere now! And even at this time the voice of mortality calleth loudly in demonstrative language, to turn unto God, lest heavier judgments fall upon us. John Simpson rose with these words: "In the latter days, saith the Lord, there will arise false christs and false prophets, who will deceive many;" which he saw had come to pass and been verified in these days. It was a solemn meeting.

After an affectionate testimony from Ann Gaunt, business opened at ten o'clock on second-day morning. The representatives were called, to whom Re-h becca Jones gave a suitable and striking caution. In the afternoon the clerk proceeded to read the queries and answers. Lydia Starr rose, and said, "How is the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed, till it has become like the potter's earthen vessels!"Jane Watson continued on the same subject; and Rebecca Jones remarked that for want of faithfulness, what dwarfishness appeared among the professors of 4*

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