by Divine inspiration; and that they are pro- and worship stand only in the experimental fitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; able to make the man of God wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.' 2 Tim. iii. 15, 16. "3. That these Holy Scriptures are not to be understood, but by the discoveries, teachings and operations of the eternal Spirit, from whence they came. "4. We believe that all mankind, through disobedience to the spirit of God, are fallen short of the glory of God, and in that state are under condemnation; but that God out of his infinite goodness and kindness, hath sent his Son a light into the world, that whosoever believeth and obeyeth this light, should not abide in darkness, but have the light of eternal life. sense, operations and leadings of this holy light, spirit or grace, that is shed abroad in the hearts of men and women, to conduct them in the holy way of regeneration unto life eternal. This was the ancient apostolical doctrine; they spoke what they had seen, tasted, and handled of the Word of God. And this is our faith, doctrine, and practice in this day. And be not displeased with us, O King, we entreat thee, if we give this for the reason of our absenting ourselves from the public and common ministry or worship; namely, that we have no taste or relish, no sense or evidence that their ministry and worship are authorized and performed by the apostolical power and spirit of Jesus; but rather that they are the inventions, studies and powers of man's nature; all which are but strange fire; and therefore cannot kindle a true and acceptable sacrifice to God. "5. We believe this gift of light and grace through Jesus Christ to be universal; and that there is not a man or woman upon earth, that hath not a sufficient measure of this light, and "For it is not man's spirit and degenerate to whom this grace hath not appeared to re-nature, speaking and professing the words of prove their ungodly works of darkness, and to lead them that obey it to eternal salvation. And this is the great condemnation of the world at this day, under al! their great professions of God, Christ, Spirit and Scriptures: that though Christ hath enlightened them, yet they will not bring their deeds to the light, but hate the light, and love their dark customs and practices rather than the light, because their deeds are evil.' "6. We do believe in the birth, life, doctrine, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ our Lord; and that he laid down his life for the ungodly, not to continue so, but that they should deny their wickedness and ungodliness; and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world; as the saints of old did, who were redeemed from the earth, and sat in heavenly places. "7. We do believe, that as the devil through man's disobedience brought sin into man's heart, so Christ Jesus, through man's belief in, and obedience to his Holy Spirit, light and grace, cleanseth the heart of sin; destroyeth the works of the devil; finisheth transgression, and bringeth in everlasting righteousness. That as the devil hath had his kingdom of darkness in man, so Christ may have his kingdom of light, life, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost in the heart of man; and not that Christ Jesus saveth men from wrath and not from sin; for the wages of sin is death' in whose heart soever it liveth; 'but the gift of God is eternal life,' to all that believe and obey, through Jesus Christ. "8. We do believe, that all true ministry God's Spirit, that giveth acceptance with the Lord, or administereth heavenly edification to men. Nor can we believe, that where pride, passion, wrath, malice, persecution, envy, and strife, lusts, vanity, wantonness, and worldly. mindedness have such sway and power, that the true Christian spirit, life, and doctrine, can be heartily received and followed. "And as this is the reason in the sight and presence of that God, that made heaven and earth, and will judge the quick and dead, wherefore we cannot join in the common and public worship of these parts; so doth the same light and Spirit of God lay an holy necessity upon us, with a meek and quiet spirit, to come together after the manner of the ancient Christians, that were the true followers of Jesus; and with godly fear and a retired mind to wait upon God, and meditate in his holy law of life, that he hath written in our hearts, according to his new covenant promise; that he may feed us, teach us, strengthen us, and comfort us in our inward man. by this Holy Spirit, according to the practice of the churches of old, any are inclined or moved to reprove, exhort, admonish, praise, or pray, we are found exercised in these holy practices. And as "Now, O Prince! give us poor Christians leave to expostulate with thee. Did Christ Jesus or his holy followers endeavour by precept or example to set up their religion with a carnal sword? Called he any troops of men or angels to defend him? Did he encourage Peter to dispute his escape with the sword? But did he not say, put it up? Or did he countenance his over-zealous disciples, when they would have had fire from heaven, to destroy those that were not of their mind? No; but did not Christ rebuke them, saying, 'Ye know not what spirit ye are of?' And if it was neither Christ's spirit, nor their own spirit that would have fire from heaven, oh! what is that spirit, that would kindle fire on earth, to destroy such as peaceably dissent upon the account of conscience? If we may not wish that God would smite men of other judgments, because they differ from us, (in which there is no use of carnal weapons,) can we so far deceive ourselves, as to esteem ourselves Christians and followers of Christ, whilst we encourage men with worldly weapons to persecute such as dissent from us? "O King! when did the true religion persecute? When did the true church offer violence for religion? Were not her weapons prayers, tears, and patience? Did not Jesus conquer by those weapons, and vanquish cruelty by suffering? Can clubs and staves, swords, and prisons, and banishments reach the soul, convert the heart, or convince the understanding of man? When did violence ever make a true convert, or bodily punishments a sincere Christian? This maketh void the end of Christ's coming, which is to save men's lives, and not to destroy them; to persuade them and not to force them; yea, it robbeth God's Spirit of its office, which is to convince the world; that is the sword by which the ancient Christians overcame. It was the apostle's testimony, that their weapons were not carnal, but spiritual; but the practice of their pretended successors proveth, that their weapons are not spiritual, but carnal. Suppose we are tares, as the true wheat hath always been called; yet pluck us not up for Christ's sake, who saith, Let the tares and the wheat grow together until the harvest,' that is, till the end of the world. Let God have his due as well as Cæsar; the judgment of conscience belongeth to him; and mistakes about religion are best known to him. "And here give us leave to remind thee of a noble saying of one of thy ancestors, Stephen, king of Poland; I am king of men, not of consciences; king of bodies, not of souls.' And there have been found, and still are among the emperors, kings, princes, and states of the world, some who have had that noble spirit of indulging their conscientious dissenting subjects; and not only with Gamaliel and Gallio not to persecute, but also eminently to protect and defend them from the hatred and violence of their enemies. Be not thou less noble than they; consider how quietly and comfortably our Friends live under other go vernments. "And indeed, we conceive it to be the prudence of the kings and states of the world. For, if the wise man say true, 'The glory of a prince is in the multitude of his people;' but this practice saith, No, the glory of a prince is in the conformity of the people to the canons of the clergy; which seemeth to strike at all civil society, which consisteth in men of virtue, parts, arts, and industry. But let men have ever such excellent abilities; be ever so honest, peaceable, and industrious; all which render them good and profitable subjects to the prince; yet they must not live within their native country, unless they will sacrifice the peace of their consciences by an hypocritical submission to the canons and fashions of the church. Is not this, O Prince, to set the church above the state? the bishop above the king? to waste and give away the strength and glory of a kingdom? "O that thou mayst be wise even in thy generation! and use the power that God hath given thee, for God, and truth, and righteousness; that therein thou mayst be like unto God, who, Peter telleth us, accepteth of all that fear him and work righteousness, throughout the world: whose sun shineth upon all; whose rain cometh upon all. "And lest any should be so injurious to us, as to render us enemies to civil government; be it known unto thee, O King, that we honour all men in the Lord, not with the vain invented honours of this world, but with the true and solid honour that cometh from above; but much more kings, and those whom God hath placed in authority over us. For we believe magistracy to be both lawful and useful, for the terrifying of all evil doers, and the praise and encouragement of those that do well. "The premises duly considered, we entreat thee, O Prince, to take our suffering case into thy serious regard; and by that power and influence thou hast with the magistrates of this city, to recommend our suffering condition to their serious consideration; that we may no longer lie under these not only unchristian, but unnatural severities, but receive that speedy and effectual relief, which becometh Christian magistrates to give to their own sober and Christian people." * Our author had greeted these sufferers with a consolatory letter as early as the year 1673, after his first journey to the continent. It appears by Besse's account of these Friends, that they had no sooner joined the Society, and began to distinguish themselves as belonging to it, by publicly assembling after their usual manner for the purpose of divine worship, than three of them were apprehended by the magistrates. After being detained some time in prison, they were ac CHAPTER XI. sixth month, we set forward for Herwerden or Herford, and came thither at night. This is the city where the princess Elizabeth Palatine of the Rhine hath her court; whom, and the countess in company with her, it was especially upon us to visit; and that, upon several accounts. First, in that they are persons On the 5th of the sixth month, being the first-day of the week, meeting began about the eleventh hour, and held till the fourth hour in the afternoon. There was a mighty concourse of people from several places of this country, and of several persuasions, Baptists, Presby-seeking after the best things. Secondly, in terians, Socinians, Seekers, &c., and God that they are actually lovers and favourers of was with his people, and his Word of life and those who separate themselves from the world power, of wisdom and strength, covered them; for righteousness' sake. yea, the hidden things both of Esau and Jacob, the mystery both of iniquity and godliness were opened and declared in the demonstration of the eternal Spirit that day. And, blessed and magnified be the name of the Lord, who hath not left himself, nor his servants without a witness! Oh, he is worthy to be loved, and feared, and obeyed, and reverenced for ever! The next day George Keith, Robert Barclay, Benjamin Furly and myself, having taken our leave of dear George Fox and Friends, took boat for Naerden; arriving there about the second hour in the afternoon. After having eaten, we took our leave of those Friends that had accompanied us thither, and begun our journey in the common post-wag gon to Osnaburg; where we came on fourthday the 8th, in the evening. We passed through a very dark country to that place; yet I felt not so great a weight and suffering in my spirit as six years ago, when I went through the same places. At Osnaburg we had a little time with the man of the inn, where we lay; and left him several good books of Friends in the Low and High Dutch tongues to read and to dispose of The next morning, being the 9th of the The princess is not only a private supporter of such, but gave protection to De Labadie himself, and his company; yea, when they went under the reproachful name of Quakers about seven years since. This man was a Frenchman, who being dissatisfied with the looseness and deadness of the French Protestants, even at Geneva itself, left them and came for Holland; and so vehemently declaimed against the apostacy of the priests and people there, that the clergy were enraged and stirred up the magistrates against him, and the rather, because many followed him, and several women of great quality. Upon this, the princess gave them an invitation, and they came and were protected by her. But since, she thereupon in good measure withdrew her some miscarriages falling out in that place, favour from them, and they removed to another place. I was moved to visit this man and his company six years ago; and saw him and his two great disciples; but they would not suffer me to see the people, which I laboured for. In that day I saw the airiness and unstableness of the man's spirit, and that a sect-master was his name. And it was upon me, both by word of mouth and writing to let them know, that the enemy would prevail against them to draw them into inconvenient things; if they came tually banished beyond the seas by order of the not to be stayed in the light of Jesus Christ, senate. The little company continuing to meet and to know the holy silence; and that at last together, came to be more and more molested both by magistrates and people; till, in one instance, they would come to fall out one with another, the rude mob, to the number of a hundred persons, and moulder away; which is in some measure thronged into their meeting room, pillaging their come to pass as I feared. For I clearly perproperty, and using almost all manner of shameful ceived, that though they had received some insolence; on which, the town officers making divine touches; there was a danger, they their appearance, carried off these unoffending would run out with them, and spend them like sufferers into confinement. Nor did such cogent appeals as that of William Penn prevail on their Prodigals; not knowing then where to stay behalf. For during the space of some years the their minds for daily bread. Yea, though storm of persecution continued, insomuch that most they were something angelical and like to the of them by frequent imprisonment, oppression, and celestial bodies, yet if they kept not their stabanishment, were reduced to poverty, and unable tion, they would prove fallen stars. They for a considerable time to support themselves and moved not in the motion of Him who had vistheir families. In 1684, two letters from them ited them, but were filled with gross mixtures, were read at the Yearly Meeting in London, de- and thereby brought forth mixed births, that scribing their strait bondage in the house of cor-is to say, things not natural but monstrous. rection, under extremely hard usage and cruelty, being chained together two and two by the hands, In fine, they were shy of us, they knew us fed only with bread and water, and forced to lie not; yet I believed well of some of the people, upon straw through the severe winter. for a good thing was stirring in them. The Countess was commendable in this also, that she left all to join with a people, who had a pretence at least to more spirituality and self-denial than was found in the national religion she was bred up in; for God had reached her, as she told me, about nine years ago, and that by an extraordinary way. It seemed to us a great pity, that persons of their quality in the world, should so willingly expose themselves for the false Quaker, the reprobate silver, the mixtures; and that they should not be acquainted with the life and testimony of the true Quakers. About a year since, Robert Barclay and Benjamin Furly took that city in the way from Fredericstadt to Amsterdam, and gave them a visit; in which they informed them somewhat of Friends' principles, and recommended the testimony of Truth to them; as both a nearer and more certain thing than the utmost of De Labadie's doctrine. They left them tender and loving. Soon after this, Gertrude Diricks and Elizabeth Hendricks from Amsterdam visited them and obtained a meeting with them: improving that little way, God by his providence had made, more closely to press the testimony. And though they, especially the Countess, made some objections, in relation to the ordinances and certain practices of Friends, yet she seemed at that time to receive satisfaction from them. These visits occasioned a correspondence by way of letter betwixt them and several of us, wherein the mystery of Truth hath been more clearly opened to their understand ings; and they have been brought nearer into a waiting frame, by those heavenly directions they have frequently received by way of epistles from several of us. In answer to two of mine, the princess sent me the following letter, which being short I here insert. "HERFORD, 2nd of May, 1677. "This, Friend, will tell you that both your letters were very acceptable, together with your wishes for my obtaining those virtues, which may make me a worthy follower of our great King and Saviour, Jesus Christ. What I have done for his true disciples, is not so much as a cup of cold water; it affords them no refreshment; neither did I expect any fruit of my letter to the Dutchess of Lauderdale, as I have expressed at the same time unto Benjamin Furly. But since Robert Barclay desired I should write it, I could not refuse him, nor omit to do any thing that was judged conducing to his liberty, though it should expose me to the derision of the world. But this a VOL. V.-No. 2. mere moral man can reach at; the true inward graces are yet wanting in "Your affectionate friend, "ELIZABETH.” This digression from the present history, I thought not altogether unnecessary. But to return.-Being arrived at that city, part of which is under her government, we gave her to understand it; desiring to know what time next day would be most proper for us to visit her. She sent us word, she was glad that we were come; and should be ready to receive us next morning about the seventh hour. The next morning being come, which was the sixth-day of the week, we went, about the time she had appointed us, and found both her and the Countess ready to receive us; which they did with a more than ordinary expression of kindness. I can truly say it, and that in God's fear, I was very deeply and reverently affected with the sense that was upon my spirit, of the great and notable day of the Lord, and the breakings-in of his eternal pow. er upon all nations; and of the raising of the slain Witness to judge the world; who is the treasury of life and peace, of wisdom and glory, to all that receive him in the hour of his judgments, and abide with him. The sense of this deep and sure foundation, which God is laying, as the hope of eternal life and glory for all to build upon, filled my soul with an holy testimony to them; which in a living sense was followed by my brethren; and so the meeting ended about the eleventh hour. The Princess entreated us to stay and dine with her; but, with due regard both to our testimony and to her at that time, we refused it; desiring, if she pleased, another opportunity that day. To which she with all cheerfulness yielded; she herself appointing the second hour. So we went to our quarters; and some time after we had dined, we returned. The meeting soon began; there were several present besides the Princess and Countess. It was at this meeting, that the Lord in a more eminent manner began to appear. The eternal Word showed itself a hammer at this day, yea, sharper than a two-edged sword, dividing assunder between the soul and the spirit, the joints and the marrow. Yea, this day was all flesh humbled before the Lord! it amazed one, shook another, broke another; the noble arm of the Lord was truly awakened, and the weight and work thereof bowed and tendered us also, after an unusual and extraordinary manner; that the Lord might work an heavenly sign before them, and among them; that the majesty of Him that is risen among the poor Qua 10 kers, might in some measure be known unto them, what God it is we serve, and what power it is we wait for and bow before. They had a sense and a discovery that day, what would become of the glory of all flesh, when God shall enter into judgment. Well, let my right hand forget its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, when I shall forget the loving-kindness of the Lord, and the sure mercies of our God to us his travailing servants that day. O Lord, send forth thy light and thy truth, that all nations may behold thy glory! Thus continued the meeting till about the seventh hour; which done, with hearts and souls filled with holy thanksgivings to the Lord for his abundant mercy and goodness to us, we departed to our lodging; desiring to know whether our coming the next day might not be uneasy or unseasonable to her with respect to the affairs of her government; it being the last day of the week, when we were informed she was most frequently attended with addresses from her people. But with a loving and ready mind she replied, that she should be glad to see us the next morning, and at any time when we would. The next morning, being the 11th of the sixth month, we were there betwixt eight and nine; where, Robert Barclay falling into some discourse with the Princess, the Countess took hold of the opportunity, and whispered me to withdraw, to get a meeting for the more inferior servants of the house; who would have been bashful to present themselves before the Princess. And, blessed be the Lord! he was not wanting to us; the same blessed power that had appeared to visit them of high, appeared also to visit them of low degree; and we were all sweetly tendered and broken together; for virtue went forth of Jesus that day, and the life of our God was shed abroad amongst us as a sweet savour; for which their souls bowed before the Lord, and confessed to our testimony. It did not a little please that noble young woman, to find her own report of us and her great care of them so effectually answered. Oh! what shall we say? Is there any God like unto our God? who is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders! To his eternal name, power and arm, be the glory for ever! The meeting done, the Princess came to us, expressing much satisfaction, that we had that good opportunity with her servants; telling us, she much desired they should have a true and right character of us, and therefore she chose to withdraw, that they might have freer access, and that it might look like their own act; or words to that purpose. The twelfth hour being come, we returned to our inn; letting them understand, we purposed (the Lord willing) to visit them some time that afternoon. I must not here forget, that we found at our inn, the first night at supper, a young merchant of a sweet and ingenuous temper, belonging to the city of Bremen; who took occasion from that night's discourse, the sixthday at dinner and supper, and the seventh-day also, to seek all opportunities of conference with us; and (as we have reason to believe) he staid twenty-four hours in that city on our account. We opened to him the testimony of Truth. I know not that in any one thing he contradicted us. At last he plainly discovered. himself unto us, to be a follower of a certain minister in Bremen, who is even by his fellow-ministers and Protestants reproached with the name of Quaker, because of his singular sharpness against the formal, lifeless ministers and Christians in the world. We laid fast hold upon this; and asked him, in case any of us should visit that city, if he would give us the opportunity of a meeting at his house, which he readily granted us. So we gave him some books; recommending him to the true and blessed testimony of Christ Jesus, the Light, and Judge of the world, and life of them that receive him and believe in him; and so we parted. It being now about three in the afternoon, we went to the Princess's; where being come, after some little time, the Princess and Countess put me in remembrance of a promise I made them in one of my letters out of England, that I would give them an account, at some convenient time, of my first convincement, and of those tribulations and consolations, which I had met withal in this way of the kingdom, to which God hath brought me. After some pause, I found myself very free and prepared, in the Lord's love and fear, to comply with their request; so, after some silence, began. But before I had half done, it was supper-time; and the Princess would by no means let us go, we must sup with her; which importunity, not being well able to avoid, we yielded to, and sat down with her to supper. Among the rest present at these opportunities, it must not be forgotten, that there was a Countess, sister to the Countess, then come to visit her, and a Frenchwoman of quality; the first behaving herself very decently, and the last was often deeply broken; and from a light and slighting carriage towards the very name of a Quaker, she became very intimately and affectionately kind and respectful to us. Supper being ended, we all returned to the Princess's chamber; where making us all sit |