became a Sufferer; not only by Imprifonment, for Worfhipping God in the Affemblies of his People, but alfo, from his Father, by whom he was made as an Outcast, for no other Caufe, but for his Faithful Teftimony in taking up the Crofs to the Worlds Behaviour and Language: Whereupon he was Invited by his much valued Friend Ifaac Penington, to his Houfe; where he abode feveral Tears, until he Married. He was a Bleffing in, as well as a great Comfort and Help to that Family; and by his wife Conduct therein, gained much Efteem, not only from the Elders, but the Youth, whom he Inftructed in Learning; and though most of them are by Death Removed, yet One ftill Remains, who from Certain and Experimental Knowledge, can Commemorate his Worth; being engaged thereto, from a Senfe of the Benefit of his Good and Wholfom Advice, given at Sundry Times, and on Divers Occafions, Which Friendship continued firm to the Laft.

His Natural Capacity was large, and his Underftanding, in the things of God, very deep; which excellent Qualifications meeting in one, rendred him useful beyond many, to bis Country, as well as very serviceable in the Church; by both which he is, and will be greatly milled. But he is gone to his Grave in a full Age, and gathered as a fhock of Corn in its Seafon, having done his Days Work Faithfully: So that faying may be verified in him, The END Crowns all.

His Sickness was fudden, which foon deprived him of the ufe of his Limbs, yet he retained the Faculties of his Inward and Qutward Senfes clear all along; and notwithstanding, at times, his Pains were Great; his Exemplary Patience, and Compofed Refignation, was remarkably apparent to thofe that Vifited and Attended him; fo that their Sorrow in parting with fo dear a Friend, was intermixed with Comfort in beb 3

bold

holding the Heavenly Frame of Mind wherewith he was Adorned.

Thus after all his Labours, be entred into Everlasting Reft, and left many behind Weeping, though not without Hope, that they shall again meet at the General Affembly of Saints,where the redeemed fhall fing Praifes to their bleffed Redeemer, whofe Right it is to Reign for ever.

We have this farther to add, namely, That our Efteem of him was great, because of that real worth that was in him, through the Operation of the mighty Power of the Lord that feparated him from the Love of the World: So that he chofe (with Mofes) rather to fuffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Seafon, and it pleafed the Lord to fit him with Wisdom and Counfel, fo that he was made able to give Judgment in difficult Cafes, wherein many of us have particularly received Benefit, and therefore have caufe to lament the lofs we have by his Removal. And Oh! fay our Souls, That the Lord would raise up many more in his Room, to the Praife and Honour of the good Hufbandman. And it is our Defire that we, who are yet behind, may be made able fo to Steer our Courfe, through this troublefome World, that when our End comes, we may lay down our Heads in Peace with the Lord, and leave a good Savour behind us, as this our Friend bath done.

This is written in true Love and Refpect, to the Memory of our Deceafed Friend, as it pleafed the Lord, to move up our Hearts. And being read and approv ed in our Womens-Meeting at Hungerhill, the 4th of the 11th Month, 1713. was fubfcribed in behalf of the faid Meeting by us,

Concerning our Dear Friend Thomas Ellwood, of Hunger-Hill.

H

E was much efteemed amongst good Men: Good Men, in their Day and Station upon the Earth, reprefent him, who made all things good in the beginning, who faid, Gen. 1. 3. Let there be Light, and there was Light. And also faid, ver. 26. Let us make Man in our Image, after our Likeness. Oh, high Favour! So God created Man in his own Image, in the Image of God created he him; Male and Female created he them, v. 27. and blessed them, and gave them Dominion under himself; for he was chief Commander then; and fo he is witnessed to be now, where his Heavenly Image is come into again, and Men Live in it, as did this our dear Friend, who did good in his Day and Generation: Counsel was with him, to give to fuch as needed, and did apply to him: He was of a Tender Spirit, and had Dominion over Paffion, over Pride, and over Covetoufnefs: So he was Comfortable to, and in his Family. He was Amiable in the Church of Chrift, and a Doer of Good amongst his Neighbours. And being an Elder amongst, and with the Elders; he hath not only obtained a good Report, but alfo the Bleffing in the promised Seed, which bruifes the Serpent's Head. He was Valiant in fuffering for bis Teftimony which he held in the Truth; and may not 1 fay, unwearied in his Labours, for the sting forth the Fame and Excellency of it: Whereby we fee what the Truth makes Men to be, who do come under the Conduct and Power of it; even as fixed Stars in the firmament of his Divine Power; who has caused the Morning of his Heavenly and Glorious GofpelDay to break forth; and as with the Day that fprings from on High, in tender Mercy, bath he vifited ma

ny Souls. And early did this our Worthy deceased Friend Embrace it, as it appears by his Teftimony concerning that Eminent, and Bleffed Messenger, and Minifter of the Gospel, G. F.

And now, he having endured the Times of Proving, and the Days of Tribulation and Suffering; together with the Perils and Slights, and Undervaluings of Falle Brethren; against whofe Ungodly Work, he was engaged to ftand, as a noble Warrior, in the defence of, and for the glorious Gofpel of Chrift: Not admiring Mens Perfons, but the Work of the Gofpel-Power. And altho be was endowed with Parts and Accomplishments above many, he was Humble and Grave; not Self-feeking, but efteeming the Power of Truth, tho' it did appear through mean Inftruments. He was Honourable; and Honoured, for that he fought not his own Honour; but the Honour of Truth; not only by his Sufferings for it, and Labours in it; but alfo, in ftanding firmly against the loofe Libertine Ones; who would have thrust in amongst the Lambs and Flock of Chrift, in an unclean adulterating Spirit, from the Life of the true Shepherd, and heavenly Husband, Chrift Fefus: But to the tender Hearted, and fincere Minded, he was Strengthening and Comfortable. I knew him when I was but Young; and I can truly fay, my Heart has often been affected, on his behalf, with Thankfulness to the Lord, who made him as a strong Pillar, in his fpiritual Houfe, with many more of his dear Servants and Children; who shall no more go out. His Memory is in my Heart efteemed, beyond what I can Write. Ob furely! The Righteous fhall be had in Everlasting Remembrance, Pfal. 112. 6. And they that be Wife, fhall fhine as the brightness of the Firmament: And they that turn many to Righteoufnefs, as the Stars for Ever and Ever, Dan. 12. 3.

Bunger Hill, the 5th of 2 the 7th Month, 1713. S

ELIZ, RICHARDSON.

Richard Vivers his Teftimony Concerning Thomas Ellwood.

E was a Man of great Wisdom and Underftanding; and the Lord, the Giver of it, being pleafed to visit him in his early Days, made choice of him, and by the Sanctification of his Holy Spirit, fitted, and prepared him for his Work and Service, whereunto he was called. And although he did not often appear as a Minifter; Tet, in thofe Meetings fet a-part for the Affairs of Truth; be often appeared in great Wisdom, having an extraordinary Talent given of the Lord for that Work, more than many other Brethren: And faithful he was in waiting for Inftruction from God, to improve the fame to his Glory, and the Churches Advantage; for nothing was more defirable to him, than to be imployed in the Lord's Service: So it pleafed the Almighty to furnish him with Underftanding and Strength, faithfully to do his Days work. And now he hath taken him to bimfelf, where his Soul is at Reft; and although our Lofs be his Gain, therein I with many more are greatly comforted, for I can truly Say, I loved him, in the Truth, from the Firft of my acquaintance with him, and fo it remained to the End of bis Courfe, being near Fourty Years, fince we knew each other: And when ever we converfed together, our Difcourfe was chiefly, concerning Heavenly Things, and the Affairs of the Church, and I always thought my Time well spent with him; although opportunity would not ferve for fo much of it as I defired, had it been the Will of God.

And